Deutsche Bahn will ban alcohol on platforms and in station halls nationwide from October 2026. Union and SPD politicians as well as the police union demand more in-house security staff for enforcement.
Deutsche Bahn announced that consumption of beer, wine or spirits will be banned at all around 5400 stations in the future. Station gastronomy remains exempt. Nationwide rollout is to be completed by October 15 2026.
Around 30 stations are already alcohol-free. From September 1 2026 Berlin main station, Berlin Gesundbrunnen, Kiel and Braunschweig will follow. Lübeck is expected about a month later.
Alexander Throm of the CDU and Sebastian Fiedler of the SPD stressed that the railway must enforce the ban with its own staff. The police union also called for a ban on trains. The federal working group on homeless aid warned of displacement of homeless people.
