There is a concept that you should know and take into account when living in Germany: ‘Nachtruhe’. Although the dictionary meaning of this word is ‘night rest’, this concept has a deeper meaning in Germany. How so?
In general, the time period between 22.00 p.m. and 06.00 a.m. is considered ‘night rest’ and it is important not to make any noise during these hours. During this time, you should avoid loud activities such as vacuuming, assembling furniture or mowing the lawn if you have a garden, and keep the noise level in the house to a level that can only be heard in the same room. The aim of this practice is that people can rest in silence in a peaceful environment during the night and start the next day vigorously. For this reason, people attach great importance to the silence rule and can complain if it is not respected 🤫
You may also come across the word ‘Mittagsruhe’, which means ‘midday rest’ and usually refers to the time between 13.00 and 15.00. It is important to observe the same rules of silence during these hours, because people like to relax during the lunch break.
Now for the last definition: The word ‘Ruhetag’ is used to describe the rest time on Sundays. In Germany, shops and stores are usually closed on Sundays. Although this practice has its roots in religious and cultural traditions, today it is more often seen as an opportunity for people to relax and spend time with their families. Therefore, if you need to shop, it is better to use other days instead of Sunday. Otherwise, you may encounter closed shops and dark shop windows. Likewise, if you have a noisy job to complete and postpone it to Sunday, you may also face complaints from your neighbours.
In line with all this information, we can summarise the silence practice in Germany;
– Nachtruhe: Between 22.00 every evening and 06.00 in the morning (if you have a house with a garden and you will work outdoors, this time period changes from 20.00 to 07.00).
– Mittagsruhe: from 13.00 to 15.00 on weekdays.
– Ruhetag: Sunday during the day.
– And finally during the day on public holidays.
Complying with these rules is both respectful and orderly behaviour for people living in Germany. As there may be different local regulations in certain regions or situations, we recommend that you consult the official sources of the local authorities for detailed and precise information.
On the day of silence; do not forget to listen not only to the outside world but also to your inner world. Wishing you a peaceful day of silence!✨
This content is provided solely for general informational purposes and does not encompass all details. Maxi Digital GmbH disclaims any responsibility for ensuring the currency and accuracy of the content. It is recommended to refer to official sources for the most current and reliable information.
