Overview

• Germany’s 2025–2029 budget framework allocates billions of euros to repairing the existing rail network but leaves key new-build and expansion projects without secured funding.
• The Federal Ministry of Transport has so far been unable to secure additional funds for new-build lines in ongoing parliamentary budget negotiations.
• Deutsche Bahn has formally set maintenance and renewal of current infrastructure ahead of new construction and is reviewing projects that have not reached advanced planning stages.
• Industry groups warn that postponing expansion projects threatens to perpetuate capacity bottlenecks on freight and long-distance passenger corridors and could undermine the Deutschlandtakt timetable objectives.
• Projects already under construction or with advanced plans will proceed but landmark lines like the Frankfurt–Mannheim route face potential delays or postponement.