Price hike for train tickets in Germany expected in 2026
In a significant development, the Transport Ministers' Conference in Munich has decided on a price increase for the popular Germany ticket, a decision that has sparked controversy and debate.
The decision, which represents an almost 29 percent increase in less than three years, was made in the absence of Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder (CDU). The Germany ticket, introduced in May 2023, has been a hit among travellers, with around 14 million people using it for travel throughout Germany on public regional and local transport.
The coalition agreement between CDU, CSU, and SPD states that the share of user financing for the Germany ticket should be gradually and socially acceptable increased from 2029. However, the current price increase, effective from January 1, 2026, will see the monthly price rise from 58 euros to 63 euros.
The key issue in the negotiations is covering expected additional costs for transport companies, above the three billion euros per year currently provided by the federal government and the states. Both the federal government and the states are willing to contribute 1.5 billion euros each towards covering these additional costs.
However, the states, represented by the Transport Ministers' Conference (VMK), set the price of the Germany ticket, and they do not want to contribute more than 1.5 billion euros per year towards covering additional costs. Without "dynamic adjustment" of the three billion euros from the federal government and the states, a funding gap of 800 million euros is expected by 2026.
The federal government's financial planning has significant gaps, a fact not lost on Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister of Transport, Katrin Eder (Greens), who accused the federal government of not keeping its promises from the coalition agreement regarding the Germany ticket price increase.
A price mechanism was discussed in Munich, which would adjust the price of the Germany ticket based on a cost index from 2027. The cost index is to be developed by the Transport Ministers' Conference by autumn 2025 and should reflect personnel and energy costs, determined after consultation with the industry.
The federal government was a guest at the Transport Ministers' Conference in Munich and was represented by a state secretary. The Germany ticket, despite being cheaper than previous subscriptions, has led to a loss of income for the transport companies due to its widespread use.
The price increase for the Germany ticket will be formally decided again in the Bundesrat. The decision has sparked controversy and debate, with many questioning the timing and the impact on the millions of people who rely on the Germany ticket for their daily commute and travel needs.
