Final approval rests with the Bundesrat to complete the law and funding arrangements.

A damping factor is planned to help keep the ticket price attractive amid rising costs.

Employers can offer the ticket as a Jobticket with subsidies, with the currently subsidized employee price at 40.60 euros per month.

The price increase draws criticism for diverging from the coalition agreement, which promised to keep the ticket beyond 2025 with a gradual, socially balanced financing approach starting after 2029, not a 2026 hike.

The Deutschlandticket remains a nationwide, affordable option for bus and rail travel, now serving about 14 million customers.

Subsidies are meant to keep the ticket cheaper than traditional regional subscriptions, justifying continued funding through 2030.

There is discussion about expanding benefits to more employers via Jobtickets and extending discounted nationwide tickets for apprentices and social cases, including potential employer subsidies that add discounts (currently 40.60 euros per month for Jobtickets).

The agreement aims to provide reliability for customers and reduce annual uncertainty about the ticket’s continuation, while potentially expanding its use beyond a pure Jobticket model.

The Bundestag approved continued funding for the Deutschlandticket, with 1.5 billion euros from both the federal government and the states, extending support through 2026 and planned until the end of 2030, to stabilize regional transport subsidies.

Around 14 million people currently use the Deutschlandticket, which launched in 2023 at 49 euros, with regional operators facing losses as many commuter subscriptions were cheaper before the subsidy.

Regional transport associations report the ticket is loss-making, with the shortfall primarily covered by the 1.5 billion euros from federal and state governments.

Green party figure Tarek Al-Wazir proposed including the Deutschlandticket in union wage negotiations and urged a nationwide discounted apprenticeship- and social-ticket negotiated with the government and states.

Opposition parties criticize the deal as locking in price increases and potentially reducing subscribers, while some argue it diverts funds from other rail services.

Under the new arrangement, total annual funding of three billion euros is guaranteed through 2030 to address prior shortfalls and the 2026 price increase.

The ticket, launched in 2023 and now popular with roughly 14 million users, is backed by extended funding to provide reliability for customers and operators.

The funding plan covers 2026 through 2030, ensuring consistent subsidies for regional transport while keeping the ticket affordable.

Industry groups and consumer organizations criticized the move, saying the price rise will disappoint many users and may not significantly boost subscriptions, with consumers also citing a broken pledge.

Starting January 1, 2026, the monthly price will rise from 58 to 63 euros, with future increases linked to inflation, wage growth, energy costs, and rail network prices.

The price increase is slated to begin next year, with the higher price partially offset by ongoing subsidies from the government.

The coalition parties (CDU/CSU and SPD) supported the bill, which now awaits final Bundesrat approval.