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On Thursday 18 December 2025, the Chamber of Deputies (Luxembourg's parliament) adopted Bill No. 8472, which reforms the system of opening hours for shops and craft businesses in Luxembourg.
According to Luxembourg's Ministry of the Economy, this law responds to the Constitutional Court's ruling of 17 March 2017 regarding respect for the principles of the rule of law in terms of equal treatment. It also aims to restore regulatory consistency by ending a situation in which exceptions had become the rule rather than the exception.
The law establishes the following permitted opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: from 05:00 to 21:00;
- Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and the day before public holidays: from 05:00 to 19:00;
- 22 June (National Day Eve), 24 December (Christmas Eve) and 31 December (New Year's Eve): from 05:00 to 18:00.
The public holidays of 1 January (New Year's Day), 1 May (Labour Day) and 25 December (Christmas Day) remain subject to a closure requirement, with the exception of butchers, bakeries, pastry shops, caterers and cafes, which may open from 05:00 to 19:00.
The law also introduces a measure allowing each establishment to remain open for two consecutive 24-hour periods per year. These openings must be notified at least one week in advance via a secure online portal.
Outside the defined hours, any additional openings must be subject to a collective agreement between employers and employee representatives, except for the two exceptional openings provided for by law.
Continuous 24-hour opening, from Monday to Sunday inclusive, may be authorised under a collective bargaining agreement or an interprofessional agreement for the following activities: sale of foodstuffs; sale of medicines and health products; sale of hygiene, cleaning and sanitary products; sale of optical goods; sale of medical, orthopaedic and speech therapy equipment; sale of pet food; sale of books, newspapers and stationery; sale of household and kitchen utensils; sale of fuels, lubricants, spare parts and accessories; sale of maintenance products for the proper functioning and repair of vehicles; sale of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes; sale of telecommunications equipment.
The law will enter into force six months after its publication in the Official Journal (Journal Officiel) to allow stakeholders time to adapt to this new framework.
The Ministry of the Economy described the reform as a significant step in the modernisation of business regulations in Luxembourg.
Luxembourg's Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, said the new law provided "a modern, clearer and fairer legal framework for all businesses and tradespeople". He added: "This law harmonises opening hours, reduces complex exemptions and guarantees the same rules for everyone, while still allowing retailers the flexibility they need to meet their customers' expectations. Furthermore, collective bargaining agreements are given greater importance when businesses wish to extend their hours beyond standard requirements."
