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In Thuringia, opening regulations apply to sales outlets in accordance with the state's Shop Opening Act.

According to the Thuringian Shop Opening Act, retail outlets may be open from 0.00 a.m. on Monday to 8.00 p.m. on Saturday.

Retail outlets must be closed on Sundays and public holidays, on Saturdays from 8:00 p.m. and on December 24, if this falls on a working day, from 2:00 p.m.

Exceptions apply to certain points of sale (e.g. pharmacies, gas stations and points of sale at train stations, airports and shipping piers, in health resorts, excursion, recreation and pilgrimage sites), for the sale of certain goods and for sales on up to four Sundays and holidays per year.

In the catering trade, tradesmen or third parties may also hand out accessory goods to guests outside store opening hours.

The Shop Opening Hours Act does not apply to wholesale trade (sales to resellers and commercial customers), restaurants, video stores and other service businesses.

• According to the Thuringian Shop Opening Act, sales outlets are subject to the state law on store opening hours.
• The counties and independent cities are responsible for enforcing the law and approving exceptions.

In principle, the counties and independent cities are responsible for enforcing the Shop Opening Hours Act, which also includes the approval of additional opening hours.