GERMANY REVOKES 2026 TRACK ACCESS CHARGE INCREASE
On 23 July 2026, Germany’s Federal Network Agency revoked its earlier approval of the 2026 track access charge (TAC) increase, following a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union that found elements of the German charging system incompatible with EU law.
As a result, track access charges for rail freight will be reduced by 12% with immediate effect, while long-distance passenger operators will see charges decrease by 17%. Regional passenger operators will face a 9% increase. Freight and long-distance passenger operators will also receive refunds for charges overpaid since the revised tariffs entered into force.
The EU Court of Justice found that Germany’s previous charging system, which capped charges for regional passenger services, shifted a disproportionate share of infrastructure costs onto rail freight and long-distance passenger operators. The revised charging structure is intended to address this imbalance.
While the decision has been welcomed, industry representatives have stressed that a broader reform of Germany’s track access charging framework remains necessary to support the competitiveness of rail freight.
Source: RailFreight.com