Overview

• Federal per-capita rail investment climbed 75 percent in 2024 to nearly €200, marking an all-time high.
• A debt-financed special fund will allocate more than €100 billion to rail infrastructure projects through 2029.
• Deutsche Bahn CEO Richard Lutz warns that funding shortfalls are expected to begin emerging in 2027 despite the new allocations.
• Industry leaders urge the creation of a dedicated multi-year rail infrastructure fund with clear performance targets to secure long-term financing.
• Germany still trails Austria and Switzerland in network performance and digital upgrades lag behind Italy’s pace.