Munich, December 23 – The Munich City Council has passed a landmark decision: starting in 2026, the Bavarian capital will introduce four city-wide shopping evenings where retailers can keep their doors open until midnight. This new shop closing ordinance, approved by the City Council, will be evaluated after one year of implementation.
Late-Night Shopping Until Midnight from 2026: Four Extended Shopping Nights Introduced
The four special shopping dates are strategically distributed throughout the year: The first will take place on the first Friday in April – if this falls on Good Friday, the date will be moved forward by one week. Further late-night shopping events are scheduled for the Friday before the autumn holidays, the Friday after the fourth Thursday in November (Black Friday), and the third Advent Saturday.
In addition to these city-wide dates, businesses will gain further flexibility: they can individually open until midnight on up to four additional evenings per year. No official permit is required for these extended opening hours; a simple notification to the District Administration Office (Kreisverwaltungsreferat) at least 14 days in advance is sufficient.
An online form is available on the website of the City of Munich for this purpose. Particularly convenient: shopping centers and arcades can submit a joint notification for all participating stores without bureaucratic hurdles.
Sunday Sales Expanded in Munich’s Old Town
Another significant innovation concerns Munich’s pedestrian zone: in the future, tourism-related goods may also be sold there on Sundays and public holidays – with the exception of Good Friday. This regulation applies from April 1 to October 15, as well as on the four Advent Sundays, each from 11 AM to 7 PM.
The product range for Sunday sales is clearly defined: food and beverages for immediate consumption, cut flowers, newspapers, magazines, devotional items, inexpensive souvenirs, and goods characteristic of the Munich region may be offered.
Changes in the Bavarian Shop Closing Act
This flexibilization is made possible by an amendment to the Bavarian Shop Closing Act. Municipalities can now independently regulate up to eight city-wide late-night shopping events until midnight annually, as well as the sale of tourism-related goods on 40 Sundays and public holidays per year in spa, recreation, pilgrimage, and excursion resorts.
Prior to the decision, the District Administration Office conducted intensive dialogues with all stakeholders. Retailers, trade unions, and churches were invited to two round table discussions to gather their feedback. This exchange was explicitly welcomed by the interest groups.
“In Munich, we have found a good compromise that meets the retail sector’s desire for longer opening hours but also considers the concerns of trade unions and churches,” explains District Administrative Officer Dr. Hanna Sammüller. After one year of practical experience, the shop closing ordinance will be reviewed for its effectiveness and, if necessary, adjusted.
