Germany plans higher Deutschlandticket fare from 2026

Germany’s nationwide flat-rate public transport ticket, the “Deutschlandticket,” could see a price increase of around ten percent next year, reaching between 62 and 64 euros per month, newspaper Tagesspiegel reported. The ticket currently costs 58 euros and allows passengers to use all local and regional public transport across the country. Its price had risen from 49 euros the previous year.

The cost of the ticket has been a recurring point of discussion between the federal government and the German states, which share funding for the initiative. The federal government has agreed to support the ticket with 1.5 billion euros in 2026, matched by the states. City and transport associations, however, say this amount may not cover transport companies’ expected revenue losses and additional costs.

Negotiations over the ticket’s future financing are scheduled for 18 September at a special conference of regional transport ministers. A preparatory document obtained by Tagesspiegel proposed the price increase for next year and suggested further hikes in the coming years. The states are expected to present their financing plan at the conference, aiming for both federal and state governments to commit to funding the ticket with 1.5 billion euros each until 2030.

The Deutschlandticket has contributed to a five percent reduction in carbon emissions in the transport sector and increased the use of regional trains.

The coalition government of the CDU/CSU alliance and Social Democrats (SPD) had pledged to extend the ticket beyond 2025 and gradually raise the share of user financing from 2029.