Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner has expressed skepticism about the ticket's financial sustainability, citing the burden it places on both federal and state budgets.

A special conference of state transport ministers is scheduled for late June 2025 to discuss the ticket's future, with a commitment from the federal minister to provide clarity by October 2025.

The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) has cautioned that the current funding will not adequately cover the long-term losses faced by the industry.

Many states are demanding a larger financial contribution from the federal government, as they are constrained by tight budgets and unable to increase their own funding.

The funding is intended to compensate for revenue losses incurred by transport companies, as standard subscriptions are generally more expensive.

Federal Transport Minister Volker Schnieder has indicated that the federal contribution will not exceed half of the total costs, complicating negotiations with the states.

Currently, both the federal and state governments contribute €1.5 billion each year to fund the Deutschlandticket, totaling €3 billion annually to offset revenue losses for transport companies.

The ticket's price has risen from €9 to €58 per month, raising concerns about affordability and potential user attrition if federal financing increases lead to further price hikes.

The new federal government aims to maintain the ticket as per the coalition agreement, but the crucial issue remains determining who will bear the costs moving forward.

At a recent conference, state transportation ministers highlighted the significance of securing funding for the ticket, warning that a withdrawal of state support could lead to its demise.

Industry representatives have warned that this funding level will not be sufficient to cover long-term losses, indicating that a financial shortfall is imminent.

The future of the Deutschlandticket, which is currently used by around 13.5 million people, is at risk due to a financial dispute between the federal and state governments in Germany.