Austria – Retail and Consumer Issues

What are the typical opening hours for shops in Austria?

Shop trading hours across Austria are governed by federal legislation. Retailers may operate Monday through Friday between 6am and 9pm, and on Saturdays between 6am and 6pm, with total weekly trading not exceeding 72 hours. Two pieces of legislation establish this framework: the Act on Business Hours on Sundays and Public Holidays (Sonn- und Feiertagsbetriebszeitengesetz) and the Business Hours Act 2003 (Öffnungszeitengesetz). Full details of the legal framework are available through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy.

In reality, supermarket trading hours are often shorter than the permitted maximum. Most open somewhere between 7am and 8am on weekdays and close between 7pm and 8pm; Saturday closing is typically at 6pm. Smaller independent retailers frequently begin trading later — sometimes not until 10am — and usually close by 6pm or 7pm.

The prohibition on Sunday trading is perhaps the adjustment that catches newcomers most off-guard. Shops are broadly barred from opening on Sundays and public holidays, with certain exceptions carved out by law. Most grocery stores remain shut on Sundays unless they are located within a transit hub — such as a railway station, airport, or petrol station forecourt — or in a recognised tourist area such as a ski resort. This stands in sharp contrast to countries where Sunday supermarket visits are a routine part of weekly life; completing your main shop before Saturday evening is strongly advisable.

Smaller food shops situated inside railway stations, bus terminals, and airports benefit from a special legal category that allows them to trade on Sundays and to keep extended hours on other days — the INTERSPAR-pronto at Vienna’s Hauptbahnhof, for example, is open every day from 6am until 11pm. A number of bakeries — including Felber, Mann, and Ströck — also open their doors on Sunday mornings.

Public holidays bring widespread closures across the retail sector, and Austria observes more public holidays than residents from many other countries might anticipate. One notable exception is 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, on which retailers have the legal option to open — and a large number choose to do so. Regional governors may also authorise extended trading hours for specific events such as organised shopping occasions, local festivals, or circumstances linked to tourism.

What forms of payment are typically accepted in Austria?

Austria has a payment culture that frequently surprises those arriving from abroad. Data from the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) shows that 62% of all point-of-sale transactions in Austria were conducted in cash in 2024. When the EU moved to cap cash payments at €10,000, the Austrian government mounted significant resistance, with the chancellor announcing intentions to enshrine the right to pay in cash within the national constitution. Carrying cash at all times is particularly important in rural areas and at markets.

Smaller cafés, independent retailers, market traders, and even certain public facilities only take cash — a situation often indicated by a sign reading “Nur Barzahlung”. Even where card payments are possible, American Express is accepted at very few establishments, and some businesses decline foreign credit cards entirely. This is quite different from countries where credit card acceptance is universal across the retail sector.

Among cashless methods, debit cards are the most frequently used at the point of sale, and nine in every ten card transactions are already made contactlessly. The Girocard — commonly called the Bankomat card — is the standard payment card in Austria and is routinely tapped for day-to-day purchases. Debit cards are significantly more prevalent than credit cards: Austria records approximately 1.42 debit cards per person compared with just 0.14 credit cards.

According to PSA, 420 million payments were processed through digital solutions such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or smartwatch payments in 2024, representing 29% of all transactions in December of that year. Mobile payments have gained considerable traction in larger shops, supermarkets, and restaurants, where modern card terminals routinely support both Apple Pay and Google Pay. That said, adoption is uneven — some cafés and market stalls continue to accept only physical cards or cash.

For online purchases, PayPal is the dominant digital wallet; 2025 Statista research indicates that 79% of Austrian consumers use it for internet transactions. For recurring obligations such as rent and utility bills, SEPA credit transfer is the established and most trusted payment channel.

What are the major supermarkets in Austria, and how do they differ?

The Austrian grocery market is dominated by a small number of large players. As of 2024, three chains — SPAR (36.9% market share), REWE Group (33.6% market share), and Hofer (Aldi Süd, 18% market share) — together command roughly 89% of the sector. Austria has one of the highest supermarket densities in Europe, meaning a well-stocked store is rarely far away regardless of where you are based.

The main chains are set out below:

Spar is the most widely distributed chain in Austria, with over 1,500 outlets across the country. The Interspar format operates as a large hypermarket, Eurospar provides a comprehensive food-and-drink offering, and Spar Gourmet functions as a lifestyle supermarket in Vienna and surrounding areas, combining premium lines with everyday staples. Spar’s own-label range spans Spar Premium for higher-quality items, S-Budget for shoppers focused on price, and Spar Free From for those avoiding lactose or gluten.

Billa operates more than 1,000 stores throughout Austria and has built a reputation for stocking regional produce alongside its standard range. Billa Plus serves as the larger-format store, and an online shop allows customers to place orders for click-and-collect. The jö Bonus Club loyalty card awards one point per euro spent at Billa and Billa Plus, as well as at partner retailers including BIPA, Libro, and Penny Markt.

Hofer is the Austrian trading name for the Aldi Süd group and, alongside Lidl, consistently ranks among the most affordable mid-sized grocery options. Shoppers from countries where Aldi and Lidl are familiar names will find the format immediately recognisable. Hofer keeps prices low through a predominantly private-label assortment, while also maintaining a strong own-brand organic range.

From 2025, a deposit (Pfand) of €0.25 is charged on all plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cans at the point of purchase; this amount is refunded when you return the empty container — importantly, it can be returned to any participating supermarket, not necessarily the one where you originally bought it. One further point for newcomers: painkillers and other basic medicines are not available on supermarket shelves in Austria. All medications must be obtained from an Apotheke (pharmacy).

How popular is online shopping in Austria, and what are the main platforms?

Approximately 64.1% of Austrians shop online as of 2025. The e-commerce sector generated around US$10.62 billion in revenue in 2024, with projections pointing to growth toward US$12.2 billion in 2025. Digital retail is firmly established for categories such as electronics, clothing, and household goods, though online grocery shopping remains a relatively small segment.

Online retail accounts for approximately 15.5% of total consumer retail spending, while grocery e-commerce penetration sits at a comparatively modest 2.3%. Food shopping online has not yet become embedded in Austrian consumer habits; many people prefer to visit supermarkets in person — often on a daily basis — to ensure that bread and vegetables are as fresh as possible.

The dominant online marketplace serving Austrian consumers is Amazon.de, the German-language Amazon platform. Locally rooted platforms include willhaben.at — Austria’s leading classifieds and second-hand marketplace — and shöpping.at, a platform designed to support Austrian businesses. Several major supermarket chains offer home delivery or click-and-collect services, enabling customers to shop digitally and choose a convenient slot or collection point.

For online transactions, credit and debit card payments are the leading methods, accounting for 35% of all e-commerce payments in 2023. PayPal is also broadly used; 2025 Statista research puts adoption at 79% among Austrian online shoppers. When purchasing from retailers based outside the EU, be aware that import VAT and customs duties may be applied to orders exceeding EU threshold limits — review the retailer’s terms carefully before completing a purchase.

Domestic delivery services in Austria are generally reliable. The main carriers — Austrian Post (Österreichische Post), DPD, DHL, and GLS — all operate nationwide. Most standard domestic parcels arrive within one to three working days. If you are unlikely to be home to receive a delivery, parcel locker networks through Post-Filialen and Selbstbedienungszonen are widely available across the country.

Are there shops or products in Austria catering specifically to expats or international tastes?

Vienna offers particularly strong options for those seeking international food products. The Naschmarkt — the city’s most celebrated fresh market — hosts dozens of stalls selling fruit, vegetables, spices, cheeses, and imported specialities sourced from producers both local and international. The Brunnenmarkt in the 16th district is another expansive outdoor market that draws both residents and newcomers, with a notably diverse selection of Middle Eastern, Turkish, and Balkan products.

Within mainstream chains such as Spar and Interspar, you will encounter a growing range of international ingredients, including Asian, Indian, and Middle Eastern products. Larger Interspar hypermarkets and Billa Plus stores generally carry a more extensive international selection than smaller neighbourhood outlets. For harder-to-find items, dedicated ethnic grocery shops are well established throughout Vienna and other major cities.

The area around Vienna’s Naschmarkt and districts such as Mariahilf, Neubau, and Ottakring are home to a variety of Turkish, Asian, and international grocery retailers. Chinese supermarkets can be found in various parts of the city, while Turkish supermarkets — some operated by larger chains such as Etsan and Makro — offer halal meats, fresh produce, spices, and a broad selection of speciality goods. South and South-East Asian ingredients are reasonably accessible in Vienna, though availability drops considerably once you move outside the capital.

When standard supermarkets fall short of your requirements, health food stores, organic markets, and Spar Gourmet outlets in central locations provide quality alternatives. The dm and Bipa drugstore chains stock an extensive range of health, beauty, and personal care products, including numerous internationally recognised brands.

Major international retailers with a physical footprint in Austria include IKEA (in Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Vösendorf), H&M, Zara, and MediaMarkt for consumer electronics. Gourmet delicatessens (Feinkostläden) in city centre locations sell premium cheeses, wines, charcuterie, and international specialities, though their prices reflect the quality on offer.

What are your rights as a consumer in Austria?

Austria is a full EU member state and implements EU consumer protection directives in their entirety, giving residents a solid body of rights that apply to both in-store and online purchases. The principal legal instruments include the Austrian Consumer Protection Act (Konsumentenschutzgesetz – KSchG), the Civil Code (ABGB), and EU regulations governing distance selling and digital contracts. Given that legislation is subject to periodic revision, it is always worth verifying the current position with the relevant authority.

Statutory warranty (Gewährleistung): EU law — as implemented in Austria — obliges sellers to provide a two-year statutory warranty on physical goods, running from the date of purchase. Within the first year following purchase, any defect that comes to light is presumed to have been present at the time of sale, placing the burden of proof firmly on the seller. This statutory warranty exists independently of any commercial guarantee a manufacturer or retailer may offer on a voluntary basis. Equivalent protections for digital products and services have been enacted into Austrian national law under corresponding EU rules.

Returns and refunds (in-store): Austrian law does not confer an unconditional right to return goods purchased in a physical shop simply on account of a change of mind — this is a distinction that surprises many newcomers accustomed to more permissive regimes elsewhere. Retailers have no legal obligation to accept returns or issue refunds on in-store sales unless the item is defective. Many stores do maintain voluntary exchange or refund policies, but these are offered at the retailer’s discretion; it is worth checking the policy before you buy.

Distance selling and online purchases: When a purchase is made online, by telephone, or through a door-to-door sale, EU consumer law — fully implemented in Austria — provides a 14-day right of withdrawal (Widerrufsrecht) from the date the goods are received, with no obligation to give reasons. The seller is required to process your refund within 14 days of receiving notification that you wish to withdraw. Certain product categories fall outside this right, including custom-made items, perishable goods, and digital downloads that have already been accessed.

Faulty goods: Where a product proves to be defective, your primary entitlements are repair or replacement. Should neither remedy be feasible or delivered within a reasonable timeframe, you may pursue a price reduction or, where the defect is serious, cancel the contract altogether. It is important to notify the seller promptly upon discovering a fault, as time limits are attached to these rights.

Misleading advertising and unfair commercial practices: Austria’s Unfair Competition Act (Gesetz gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb – UWG), together with EU Directive 2005/29/EC as enacted in Austria, prohibits deceptive advertising, aggressive sales tactics, and misleading pricing. If you believe a trader has engaged in unfair or dishonest commercial conduct, you can report the matter to the appropriate authorities or seek guidance from the consumer protection bodies listed in the following section.

For up-to-date legal guidance on any consumer matter in Austria, the Arbeiterkammer (AK) and the Verein für Konsumenteninformation (VKI) both publish detailed and regularly updated information, primarily in German and in some cases in additional languages.

Which organisations protect consumers in Austria, and how can you contact them?

Austria maintains an extensive network of bodies dedicated to consumer protection. Whether your concern involves a defective product, an unfair contract term, or a misleading commercial claim, the following organisations are equipped to provide assistance:

• Arbeiterkammer (AK) — Chamber of Labour
  The AK serves as Austria’s foremost consumer advice body and is frequently the first port of call for residents facing consumer problems. Members receive free legal guidance on issues including consumer contracts, online shopping disputes, and warranty claims. The AK is represented in every Austrian federal state. Visit arbeiterkammer.at for advice, legal information, and to find your nearest regional office.
• Verein für Konsumenteninformation (VKI)
  The VKI is Austria’s independent consumer organisation, receiving partial government funding. Its activities include product testing, publication of the consumer magazine Konsument, and the operation of a consumer advice service. The VKI also pursues legal proceedings against businesses engaged in unfair practices on behalf of consumers. Visit vki.at for test results, advisory content, and to lodge a complaint.
• Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK)
  This ministry holds primary responsibility for consumer protection policy in Austria and oversees the transposition of EU consumer directives into national law. Visit sozialministerium.at for information on the legislative landscape.
• Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKO) — Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
  While the WKO’s primary constituency is the business community, it administers the Schlichtung für Verbrauchergeschäfte (Consumer Dispute Resolution Body), an officially recognised ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) service for settling disputes between consumers and businesses out of court. This route is particularly useful when a direct approach to a retailer has failed to produce a resolution. Visit wko.at for details on how the process works.
• European Consumer Centre Austria (Europäisches Verbraucherzentrum — EVZ Austria)
  EVZ Austria forms part of the EU-wide ECC-Net network and is specifically designed to assist consumers with disputes involving traders established in other EU member states. This service is particularly relevant for expats who buy goods or services from overseas EU-based retailers. Visit evz.at for guidance and to submit a cross-border complaint.
• Regulierungsbehörden (Sector-specific regulators)
  Regulated sectors such as telecommunications, energy, and postal services each have their own dedicated ombudsman or regulatory authority. The Telekom-Control-Kommission (TKK) handles telecommunications disputes, and E-Control oversees energy market complaints. Links to the relevant regulators can be found through the WKO and AK websites.

When pursuing a complaint against a retailer, the recommended first course of action is always to approach the seller directly in writing, retaining copies of all correspondence. If this does not bring a satisfactory outcome, the AK, VKI, or WKO dispute resolution service are your next steps. For disputes arising from cross-border purchases within the EU, EVZ Austria or the EU’s Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform can provide support. All of these services are accessible to anyone residing in Austria, regardless of nationality.

Frequently asked questions: retail and consumer issues in Austria

Can I shop on Sundays in Austria?

As a rule, no. Austrian law generally prohibits shops from opening on Sundays and public holidays, though specific exemptions exist. Grocery stores within transit hubs — including train stations, airports, and petrol stations — along with those in tourist destinations such as ski resorts may open on Sundays. Many bakeries also trade on Sunday mornings. It is sensible to ensure your weekly shopping is finished by Saturday afternoon.

Do I need to bring a shopping bag to the supermarket?

Carrier bags are not provided free of charge in Austria — they typically cost between €0.50 and €2 and can be bought at the checkout. Bringing your own reusable bag is the norm and will save you money in the long run. Be aware that checkout staff do not bag your groceries for you, and they tend to move at a brisk pace, so be ready to pack your items as quickly as possible.

Is it safe to rely on a credit card for everyday purchases in Austria?

For day-to-day spending, a debit card is the most practical option; keep some cash available as well, and treat your credit card as a backup rather than your primary payment method. American Express is accepted in very few places, and many Austrian businesses favour payment options with lower processing fees, which explains why credit cards are less commonly used here than in numerous other countries.

What is the Pfand (bottle deposit) system and how does it work?

Since 2025, a deposit (Pfand) of €0.25 is levied on all plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cans sold in Austria. You recover this amount by returning the empty container to any participating supermarket — it does not have to be the store where you made your original purchase. Reverse vending machines (Rückgabeautomaten) are usually positioned near the entrance or checkout area of most supermarkets.

Do I have the right to return something I bought in a shop if I change my mind?

Austrian law does not provide an automatic entitlement to return goods bought in-store due to a change of heart — a position that differs from the legal framework in some other countries. Individual retailers may offer their own voluntary return or exchange arrangements, but there is no legal compulsion for them to do so. Your rights are considerably stronger where goods turn out to be defective: the two-year EU statutory warranty entitles you to repair, replacement, or a refund in such circumstances.

Where can I find organic and international food products in Austria?

Nearly a quarter of all farms in Austria operate organically, so supermarkets carry a broad selection of organic goods — look for the “Bio” label. Organic meat can command a price premium, though most other Bio products are broadly comparable in cost to their conventional equivalents. For international products, larger Interspar and Billa Plus stores, Vienna’s Naschmarkt, and specialist ethnic supermarkets in major cities are the most reliable starting points.

What should I do if I have a consumer dispute with an Austrian retailer?

Begin by contacting the retailer directly in writing, keeping copies of everything you send and receive. If that approach yields no satisfactory outcome, free advice is available from the Arbeiterkammer (AK) at arbeiterkammer.at or the Verein für Konsumenteninformation (VKI) at vki.at. For formal out-of-court resolution, the WKO’s Schlichtung für Verbrauchergeschäfte service is available. If your dispute involves a purchase from another EU country, EVZ Austria at evz.at can assist.

Are there any medicines I can buy at a supermarket in Austria?

Painkillers and other routine medicines are not stocked on supermarket shelves in Austria — all medications must be purchased from an Apotheke (pharmacy). Pharmacies are plentiful throughout the country, and the duty pharmacy (Notapotheke) system guarantees that at least one pharmacy in every area is open at all times, including evenings and weekends. Your nearest duty pharmacy can be located via apotheker.or.at.