Washing the car on the holiday – that sounds like a good idea, after all, you have time. But whether car washing is allowed on public holidays depends on where you live.
A lot of things get left behind in the hustle and bustle of the working week. For many people this also includes car washing. The idea is to postpone the car wash to the holiday. However, there are precise regulations regarding this. Like many things in Germany, these are stipulated at the state level. Whether and where you can wash your car on public holidays depends on which federal state you live in.
Baden-Württemberg: The public holiday law generally does not allow publicly noticeable work on Sundays and public holidays, unless there is an exception. Car washing could theoretically be allowed if it does not cause a noise nuisance and is not visible to the public.
Bavaria: Car washes are allowed to operate on Sundays and public holidays from 12 p.m., unless they are major holidays. Noisy work is generally prohibited during main service times.
Berlin: The public holiday law generally prohibits noticeable work on Sundays and public holidays, but exceptions such as work that cannot be postponed or self-service laundromats are permitted. Car washing on private property is subject to the rule that publicly visible activities should be avoided.
Brandenburg: Publicly visible work on Sundays and public holidays is prohibited unless there are exceptions such as the operation of car washes. Washing a car on your own property could be illegal if it can be seen by the public.
Bremen: General work on Sundays and public holidays is prohibited, but certain exceptions are permitted. Light, non-commercial activities in the house and garden are permitted as long as they do not disrupt church services. Car washing on private property could fall under this category.
Hamburg: The Public Holidays Act authorizes the Senate to declare certain working days special holidays or to ban events. For car washing, this means restrictions on Sundays and public holidays as well as on certain special and memorial days.
Hesse: The Public Holidays Act protects public holidays as days of rest and “mental elevation”. Work that is visible to the public is generally prohibited unless it is expressly permitted under federal or state law. Washing cars at home could be permitted as long as it is a non-commercial, light activity and does not cause an immediate disruption to church services.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Publicly visible work is prohibited on Sundays and public holidays unless it falls under permitted exceptions. The operation of car washes as well as coin-operated and self-service laundromats on Sundays is permitted, except on certain high holidays such as Easter Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, Remembrance Day and Funeral Sunday.
Lower Saxony: Publicly noticeable actions are prohibited on Sundays and public holidays, unless they involve work that cannot be postponed or non-commercial activities in the house and garden. Washing cars at home could be allowed as long as it doesn’t bother anyone.
North Rhine-Westphalia: All publicly visible work is prohibited on Sundays and public holidays unless it is expressly permitted. Depending on local regulations and the level of noise pollution, washing cars on one’s property may be considered a permitted activity as long as it does not cause a public nuisance.
Rhineland-Palatinate: The law on the protection of Sundays and public holidays specifies the regulations to ensure the population’s rest on Sundays and public holidays. Washing cars on one’s property could be considered a permissible activity as long as it does not cause a disturbance.
In Saarland, publicly visible activities that disturb the external peace or contradict the character of the day are prohibited on Sundays and public holidays. As long as car washing takes place quietly and not visibly, it is permitted.
Saxony: Sundays and public holidays are protected as days of rest and “mental elevation”. Publicly noticeable work and actions are prohibited on these days. Operating car washes on Sundays is permitted, but not on certain high holidays. Car washing on your property could be considered permitted non-commercial work under certain circumstances.
Saxony-Anhalt: Sundays and state-recognized holidays are designated as days of general rest. Activities that can be viewed by the public are prohibited on these days. Car washes are allowed to open on Sundays, but not on certain high holidays.
Schleswig-Holstein: Sundays and public holidays are protected as days of general rest. Publicly noticeable actions that contradict the nature of these days are prohibited. Car washing at home is not specifically mentioned, but automatic car washes and self-washes are permitted.
Thuringia: Sundays and public holidays are legally designated as days off. On these days, publicly visible activities that could disrupt the external peace and quiet are prohibited. Car washing should reflect the nature of the day and avoid unnecessary disruption, especially noise.
