In a move welcomed by transport passengers in Germany, the Bundesrat (or the country's Federal Council which represents the German states) has approved a law change that guarantees the future of the Deutschlandticket until 2030.
The nationwide travel pass, which allows unlimited use of local and regional public transport for a monthly fee, will continue to be subsidised through the end of the decade, with both the federal government and the 16 states each contributing €1.5 billion annually to offset lost revenue for transport companies.
Despite this financial backing, the monthly price of the ticket is set to rise to €63 per month from the start of 2026, up from €58 at the start of 2025.
The increase comes after lengthy negotiations, with officials stressing that the new arrangement provides much-needed planning security for the years ahead.
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On that note, Deutschlandticket holders need to confirm that they agree to the price increase, either in the DB navigator app or on DB's website, or else their subscription will expire at the end of the year. Do so now if you haven't already, lest you find yourself navigating the subscription set-up process again on New Year's Day.
The Deutschlandticket was launched in May 2023 as a successor to a temporary 9-euro ticket, which was part of a Covid-era economic relief package.
Its affordability – significantly lower than previous regional commuter passes – has made it a hit, with around 14 million people currently using it.
Subsidies are essential, as the ticket’s low price has led to substantial revenue losses for transport providers, prompting ongoing debates between federal and state governments.
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While the future of the ticket is now secure until 2030, that doesn’t mean the price for travellers will remain at €63 until then.
From 2027, the ticket’s price will be adjusted according to a new index reflecting wage, energy, and general cost increases – a mechanism yet to be finalised. Specific details on how the index will work are expected by spring 2026.
While the introduction of an index is intended to bring an end to “political pricing,” it also means that travellers will have to wait and see how much they’ll pay in future.
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