Germany: Opening hours

The good news is that the opening hours of shops are no longer as strict as they used to be in Germany. Food shopping for example should be possible until 8pm during the week, and bigger department stores in city centres are also open until 8pm. Weekends used to be more restrictive and shops only opened until 4pm on Saturdays. As of this year opening hours on Saturdays have been extended as part of an initiative to help boost the German economy. However, Sundays are still different from other countries. On Sundays shops still don't open at all. Urgent purchases can only be made at petrol stations, kiosks or big train stations.