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Open on May 1st: Where to shop in Austria!
Find out which shops in Austria are open on May 1st and what special regulations apply.
Open on May 1st: Where to shop in Austria!
On May 1, 2025, the national holiday in Austria, the majority of shops will remain closed to honor Labor Day. How 5min.at However, there are some exceptions, particularly in busy locations such as train stations, airports and clinics.
In Vienna, certain supermarkets are open, including Billa branches at Praterstern and Herrnhuterhaus (Neuer Markt), as well as Spar at AKH. Interspar Pronto in Vienna Mitte and at the main train station are also accessible to customers. The Billa branches at Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof and Schwechat Airport are also open. Branches are also open in other federal states, including Styria, Upper Austria, Carinthia, Tyrol and Salzburg, but no exact locations are given.
Diverse shopping opportunities
The opening times of the shops that are open may vary depending on the branch and can be viewed online. Contrary to expectations, customers do not have to go without their food this holiday. Several gas station shops such as “Billa stop & shop”, “Spar express” or “Billa Unterwegs” offer a limited range of food, drinks and hygiene products around the clock.
Bakeries are also open in many cities and towns, especially those with cafés or in train station and airport locations. These are a welcome point of contact for breakfast visitors and travelers.
The origin of the holiday
May Day, also known as Labor Day, has its roots in the North American labor movement of the late 19th century. The public holiday is celebrated in numerous countries, including Austria. How next in the Wikipedia can be read, the origin goes back to the general strike of 1886, which fought for the eight-hour day. The day was finally proclaimed a global day of struggle at the founding congress of the Second International in 1890.
In Austria, the first May Day rallies took place in 1890, and May 1st was introduced as a public holiday in 1919. After the Nazi era and the end of the Second World War, it was re-established as a state holiday and is still very important today.
In conclusion, May 1 is not only a holiday to commemorate workers, but also an opportunity to ensure accessibility of services. Despite the many shops being closed, basic supplies for the population remain guaranteed during this important period of time.