Luxembourg Government Moves Forward with Sunday Work and Shop Hours Reform

The Luxembourg government has unveiled a set of amendments to labour and retail laws that could reshape Sunday work and shop opening hours across the country. The reform, presented on Wednesday, is designed to give small businesses greater flexibility, but it has already sparked strong criticism from trade unions.

At the centre of the proposal is an extension of Sunday working hours from the current limit of four hours to eight. The government plans to apply the rule differently depending on company size. Small businesses with up to 30 employees will be able to decide unilaterally whether to adopt eight-hour Sundays, without the need for a union agreement. According to government estimates, this would apply to about 90% of retail businesses, though only 35% of retail workers. Larger companies, employing 31 people or more, will still have to negotiate collective agreements to extend Sunday hours. While this affects just 5% of businesses, it covers more than 60% of retail employees. These firms will continue to have the option to open for eight hours on up to six Sundays a year.

Labour Minister Georges Mischo has defended the reform as a balanced approach that introduces flexibility for smaller retailers while preserving social dialogue for the majority of workers. If adopted, the new regulations would take effect on 1 January 2026.

The reform also covers shop opening hours more broadly. A first version of the bill was rejected by the Council of State in June, prompting revisions. The new proposal allows weekday operations from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., compared to the current 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday trading hours would be extended significantly, from 6 a.m.–1 p.m. today to 5 a.m.–7 p.m. in the future.

A sticking point in earlier drafts was the treatment of major public holidays—1 May, 25 December, and 1 January. The revised bill now sets clear rules for these days, allowing shops to open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Businesses that are normally required to remain closed will be able to open only if backed by a collective or inter-professional agreement.

The government’s amendments, which follow consultations with the Council of State and unsuccessful negotiations with social partners earlier this year, underline its determination to push forward with a market-liberal approach. Once approved, the law is expected to take effect six months after publication in the official journal.

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