Germany publishes EUR 1.7bn funding guideline for ETCS retrofits

Funding rates reach up to 60% for series fitting and up to 90% for vehicle type variants fitted for the first time (First of Class); about EUR 482 million is added for vehicles in the Stuttgart digital node. The association Die Güterbahnen considers the funds insufficient for the roughly 13,000 locomotives and traction units affected and calls for secured funding beyond 2030.

On 24 July 2026 the Federal Transport Ministry published the funding guideline for ERTMS equipment on existing rolling stock; the federal government provides about EUR 1.7 billion for it until 2030, plus about EUR 482 million for vehicles in the Stuttgart digital node. Funding rates reach up to 60% for series retrofits and up to 90% for vehicle classes fitted for the first time; applications go to the Federal Office for Administrative Services (Bundesanstalt für Verwaltungsdienstleistungen), accompanied by the ERTMS coordination office set up in April 2026, which prioritises applications and aligns them with line upgrades. The association Die Güterbahnen welcomes the start but considers the funds insufficient for the roughly 13,000 locomotives and traction units affected, and points to the new roll-out plan under which twelve lines with about 750 km are to be converted by the end of 2031. (LOK Report, 27 Jul and 28 Jul 2026)