Access rights

Access rights are based on the national legislation of the destination country, which means it is not possible to make general statements here that apply to all countries - you can obtain detailed information at any time, however, from the international One-Stop-Shops.

In addition to national access rights, EU legislation provides for the following access rights in all EU member states:

• cross-border combined transport services
• cross -border traffic, provided a partnership exists with a railway undertaking in the country in question (international grouping)
• transit traffic that creates a link to a partner railway undertaking in another EU member state (i.e. transit traffic through Austria in partnership with an Italian railway undertaking)
• to international freight transport of all kinds (combined transport and wagonload services) on specially designated corridors of the Trans European Rail Freight Network (TERFN)

Operating licence

Your German licence is also valid for other Member States of the European Community.

Liability insurance

Your liability insurance policy must satisfy the national terms valid in the country of destination (with regard to scope of validity, sum insured, etc.). The OSS will be happy to provide you with any information you may require. Deutsche Verkehrsassekuranz (DVA) will arrange international 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

Verifications by our neighbouring countries to assess whether your vehicles, personnel and internal organisation meet national safety provisions are usually undertaken as part of the award of a 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 conditions

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.