Germany raises 2026 rail freight track-access aid by about EUR 80 million

The track-access charges that freight operators pay for using the rail network are subsidised more strongly than before; the association Die Güterbahnen speaks of relief at a time of high track-access charges and of better competitiveness against road freight.

The federal government is raising its track-access charge subsidy for rail freight in 2026 by about EUR 80 million, as shown by the updated subsidy rates that DB InfraGO published on 18 June 2026. Freight operators are thus relieved more strongly than before on the charges they pay for using the network; the basis had previously been laid by a decision of the Bundestag budget committee with conditions attached. The association Die Güterbahnen welcomes the move as relief at a time of high track-access charges and as a boost against road freight (LOK Report, 19 Jun 2026).