How Much Could Germany’s Deutschlandticket Cost in 2025?

A price increase for Germany’s popular ‘Deutschlandticket’ appears more and more likely for 2025. Following a recent meeting in Düsseldorf, Germany’s state transport ministers announced that the price of the Deutschlandticket will need to be raised by 2025. North Rhine-Westphalian Transport Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens) confirmed this, according to Tagesschau, stating, “The transport ministers of the states agree that there will be an increase in the ticket price in 2025.”

Ahead of the meeting, state ministers had already hinted that the price of the €49 ticket may need to be raised by as much as €10 monthly. After the meeting, it seems almost certain that a price increase is looming. However, the exact amount of the future monthly subscription cost is still to be determined. Krischer mentioned that another meeting will be scheduled for the fall, and added, “We will do everything we can to ensure that this increase is as moderate as possible.”

How Much Should It Cost?

The passenger association Pro Bahn believes that any price increase should be minimal. Detlef Neuß, head of the association, told the Rheinische Post on Tuesday, “A price increase of five euros or ten percent should be sufficient. With an increase of five euros, most people will certainly still stick with the Deutschlandticket.”

A recent study by the Fraunhofer Institute, which surveyed 3,700 people, found that the current price is “acceptable,” whereas €53 would be perceived as “expensive,” and €75 would be “too expensive.” In the medium term, Pro Bahn also considers a €59 ticket conceivable, but Neuß suggests that keeping the price increase lower would be a better use of public funds. He argued, “When you consider how many billions are put into environmentally harmful subsidies, it is incomprehensible to me that the federal and state governments are whining about a subsidy of €1.5 billion.”

Why Should the Price Be Raised?

Krischer pointed out that inflation and rising operating costs are the main factors behind the proposed price increase. Another concern for the transport ministers is that the federal government has yet to fulfill its promise to carry over unused funds to support the Deutschlandticket from 2023 to 2024. Currently, both the federal and state governments provide €1.5 billion per year to subsidize the transportation subscription. Any leftover funds should be carried over to the new year, but the transport ministers and local transportation companies have been left waiting. Reportedly, the Regionalisation Act needs to be amended before funding can be moved.

The Federal Ministry of Transport has stated that a cabinet decision on the matter can be expected next week. Meanwhile, transport associations are urgently waiting to update their balance sheets. Recently, the Munich Transport Association (MVV) revealed it was facing a financing deficit of €300 million.

International Inspiration

While Germany debates points around the price and funding of its Deutschlandticket, some other countries have been inspired to follow suit. Hungary, for instance, launched a couple of subscription passes for transportation around the country at the end of 2023, including a 30-day pass for €49.

As Germany’s leaders scramble to make ends meet for the federal budget for 2025, they aim to adhere to Germany’s self-imposed debt-brake (Schuldenbremse), which severely limits the amount of federal funding available for transportation, as well as social services and defense.

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