Are you a foreign railway undertaking planning to operate in Germany? Unless you are planning to set up a branch office in Germany, you should observe the following with regard to network access.

Access right

Your access rights are based on section 14 (3) of Germany’s General Railway Act (AEG).

Operating licence

If you have already an operating licence according to law of another Member State of the European Community, you don't need another licence inland (§ 6 sec 8 AEG).

Liability insurance

Your insurance cover must satisfy the terms of the Liability Insurance Regulation for Railways of 21 December 1995 (scope of validity: Germany, sum insured: EUR 10 million, which must be available at least twice for each period insured). For evidence, please send the respective form to DB Netz AG. Deutsche Verkehrsassekuranz (DVA) will arrange cover on request.

Train-path purchase

We offer our customers comprehensive consultancy via the One-Stop-Shops (OSS) - the international customer contact points for consultancy in every RNE partner country. The OSS staff will advise you on international conditions of access and on certificates and approvals required. Together with you, they will determine the suitable international train-path offer and take over international coordination. You can decide from which One-Stop-Shop in which country you wish to receive advice.

Safety certificate

Since April 30th 2005 railway undertakings need a safety certificate also in Germany (Section 14 (7) AEG). All railway undertakings that are already actively operating on the german network keep their license. They had to ask for a safety certificate to the supervisory authority (Eisenbahnbundesamt) until November 1st. For new applicants the safety certificate is already mandatory.

You can obtain all contact addresses from the OSS at any time.

Customs regulations

Please observe the relevant customs regulations that are valid for international transport. The customs authority responsible will provide any information required.

The One-Stop-Shop in your own country will be pleased to help you obtain copies of the appropriate regulations, and will also arrange any training required.

You will find all contact addresses on the website of RailNetEurope www.railneteurope.com.

Last modified: 23.07.2008

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