Overview
- The nationwide ban, which took effect Thursday, covers roughly 5,400 to 5,700 stations according to different reports and is now in force across DB-managed rail hubs.
- DB has assigned DB‑Sicherheit to enforce the rule with friendly warnings, Platzverweis (expulsions) and possible house bans for repeat offenders.
- The policy includes explicit exceptions: sealed alcoholic drinks may be carried through stations, station shops and restaurants may sell and serve alcohol, and privately owned station areas can be exempted.
- Local rollouts have added signage, timetable notices and bilingual announcements in places such as Dresden Hauptbahnhof but journalists warn enforcement will be hard at large crowds and can be circumvented by drinking before entry or on trains.
- Critics welcome potential drops in disorder seen at test stations but warn of risks of discriminatory policing and the displacement of homeless people without alternative services, making safeguards and enforcement practices a key next issue.