Through this measure, the federal government is easing the financial pressure on rail operators providing this type of transport and creating incentives to maintain rail freight services in Germany, as well as to shift additional freight volumes from road to rail.
The increase can be achieved by utilising unspent funds from previous budgets. Consequently, a total of up to EUR 384 million will be available in 2026 to support this segment of rail freight transport.
The funding scheme is designed on a competitive basis and is open to rail freight companies operating on both the state-owned rail network and private rail infrastructure.
Germany wants to keep freight on the rails
However, transport in individual railcars is a complex and costly service. For the economy, it represents an important component of logistics chains based on rail transport. To support this sector and prevent freight from shifting to road transport, the German authorities are preparing additional funding for rail operators.
The Federal Ministry of Transport is set to fast-track the necessary steps to implement the measure, so that the additional funds reach market operators as quickly as possible.
Rail freight transport using individual railcars accounts for approximately 18 per cent of total rail freight transport in Germany. It fulfils important functions for the connectivity and operation of the rail network, serving over 2,000 loading and unloading points across the country.
The sector is particularly important for industries such as steel, chemicals and the automotive sector, for which access to rail transport remains an essential component of their logistics chains.
