More competition in long-distance transport – Bundesnetzagentur creates level playing field for new providers
Year of issue 2026
Date of issue 2026.07.17
The Bundesnetzagentur has today made its final decision on market entry conditions for competitors of DB Fernverkehr AG. It had presented a draft at the end of June. The Bundesnetzagentur considered the statements submitted on this issue by members of the Rail Infrastructure Advisory Council, from the Bundeskartellamt and from the Monopolies Commission and took them into account in its decision-making.
“More competition has the potential to improve offers for passengers
”, explained Klaus Müller, President of the Bundesnetzagentur . “The Bundesnetzagentur has made its decision on the basis of the existing legal framework. Having carefully examined all the arguments, we have decided to stay with the regulation that we presented at the end of June. We are convinced that our decision will set competition in the long-distance transport sector in motion
.”
Core of the decision
The decision relates to heavily used sections of lines with designated capacity limits, of which there are already quite a few. Their number will increase. Important hubs like Munich and Frankfurt, for example, are expected to join them as of the 2028 working timetable period.
The Bundesnetzagentur is requiring DB InfraGO AG, when it draws up the working timetable each year, not to allocate more than 60-75% of the capacity available in a certain period for long-distance rail passenger transport on these sections to DB Fernverkehr AG or to any single company in the event of a conflict. DB InfraGO AG will set the exact percentage of this competition clause. This will ensure that at least one competitor of DB Fernverkehr AG will actually be able to operate trains.
The Bundesnetzagentur is aware that the decision could herald a major shift in long-distance rail passenger transport. The Bundesnetzagentur places value on attractive long-distance services all over Germany.
Next steps
The Bundesnetzagentur has sent the decision first to the two parties to the proceedings, DB InfraGO AG and Italo. The decision will be published on the Bundesnetzagentur website once it has been checked for trade and business secrets.
DB InfraGO AG is now obliged to design a competition clause in line with the Bundesnetzagentur’s requirements when it draws up its infrastructure usage conditions. A draft of the usage conditions will be submitted to the authority for examination in autumn 2026. The Bundesnetzagentur may subsequently require amendments to it. The competition clause will come into effect for the creation of the working timetable for 2028, which will take place in 2027.