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Sundays and public holidays; application for exemption from the prohibitions of the Public Holidays Act

On Sundays and public holidays, publicly noticeable work that is likely to interfere with public holidays is prohibited, unless otherwise stipulated by law. The municipalities may grant exemptions from this.

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Markt Bissingen

Markt Bissingen

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Am Hofgarten 1
86657 Bissingen

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Am Hofgarten 1

86657 Bissingen

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Procedure details

Public holidays throughout Bavaria are

  • New Year
  • Three Wise Men (Epiphany)
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • May 1st
  • Ascension Day
  • Whit Monday
  • Corpus Christi
  • October 3 as the Day of German Unity
  • All Saints' Day
  • Christmas Day
  • Second Christmas Day

Assumption Day is only a public holiday in municipalities with a predominantly Catholic population.

In the city of Augsburg, August 8 (Peace Festival) is also a public holiday.

On Sundays and public holidays, publicly noticeable work that is likely to disturb the peace and quiet of public holidays is prohibited, unless otherwise stipulated by law.

The following activities are also prohibited during the usual time of the main church service (generally between 7.00 am and 11.00 am):

  • all avoidable noise-generating activities in the vicinity of churches,
  • public entertainment events (sporting events are permitted),
  • driven hunts.

The bans do not apply

  • to the operation of the postal service, railroads and other passenger transportation companies,
  • for repair work on means of transport, insofar as this is necessary to continue the journey,
  • for work that cannot be postponed and is necessary to satisfy domestic and agricultural needs, to prevent damage to health and property, in the interests of public facilities or to prevent or eliminate an emergency,
  • for light work in gardens carried out by the owners or their relatives.

In addition to public holidays, there are also public holidays. Public entertainment events that are not in keeping with the serious nature of these days are prohibited on public holidays.
Sports events are permitted, however, except on Good Friday and the Day of Prayer and Repentance.

The following days are defined as days of silence:

  • Ash Wednesday
  • Maundy Thursday
  • Good Friday (Note: On Good Friday, all types of music performances are prohibited without exception in rooms with bars. Sports events are also prohibited).
  • Holy Saturday
  • All Saints' Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Sunday of the Dead
  • Day of Prayer and Repentance (Note: Sporting events are also prohibited on the Day of Prayer and Repentance).
  • Christmas Eve

The protection of the silent days begins at 2.00 a.m., on Good Friday and Holy Saturday at midnight and on Christmas Eve at 2.00 p.m.; it ends at midnight in each case.

The protection of the Feast of the Assumption in municipalities where it is not a public holiday and the Day of Prayer and Repentance is regulated as follows:

  • During the customary local time of the main church service from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., all avoidable noise-generating activities in the vicinity of churches are prohibited, insofar as these activities are likely to disturb the church service.
  • Employees of all public and private companies and administrations who belong to a religious denomination have the right to stay away from work. This does not apply to work that may also be carried out on public holidays in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Code and to work that is necessary to maintain operations or to deal with business that cannot be postponed with the authorities. The employees concerned may not suffer any disadvantages other than any loss of pay for missed working hours as a result of their absence.
  • There shall be no lessons at schools of all types.

The Israelite holidays

  • Easter (Passover) (the first two and last two days),
  • Feast of Weeks (two days),
  • Feast of Tabernacles (first two and last two days),
  • New Year (two days),
  • Day of Atonement (one day)

are protected as follows:

  • The following are prohibited in the vicinity of synagogues and other premises used by the Jewish community for worship purposes during the usual local time of the main service: all avoidable noise-generating activities that are likely to disturb the service, public gatherings in the open air, parades and processions.
  • Pupils at schools of all types who belong to the confession have a day off!
  • Employees of all public and private companies and administrations who are members of the Confederation have the right to stay away from work. This does not apply to work that may be carried out on public holidays in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Code and to work that is necessary to maintain operations or to deal with urgent business with the authorities. The employees concerned may not suffer any disadvantages other than any loss of pay for missed working hours as a result of their absence.

The municipalities may grant exemption from individual prohibitions in individual cases for important reasons.

The documents required when applying for an exemption may vary from case to case. Please contact the responsible municipality in this regard.

The requirements for granting an exemption from the prohibitions of the Public Holidays Act are in particular

  • It must be an individual case. General exemptions are not permitted.
  • Particular hardship in individual cases must be avoided.

There must be no risk of the protection of public holidays being undermined.

  • Exemption request
    Please ask the responsible municipality for the concrete documents required.

Fees of between 15 and 125 euros are charged for exemptions from the prohibitions of the Public Holidays Act.

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Administrative court action

Status: 14.01.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium des Innern, für Sport und Integration
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