German national railway (DB) is implementing a nationwide alcohol ban on trains and in stations due to increasing incidents of violence.

This decision was made following incidents such as the killing of DB conductor Serkan Çalar by a ticketless passenger in February, and last week, an intoxicated passenger seriously injuring a DB employee by pushing them off a train.

DB Management Board Chair Evelyn Palla stated the following in her announcement regarding the decision: “Enough is enough! We must take stricter measures. We must take stricter measures on trains and in our train stations. The safety of both our passengers and our staff is important to us. Therefore, we have begun efforts to ban alcohol consumption in all train stations and on trains nationwide.”

Evelyn Palla: Germany's Train Alcohol Ban Expands

Palla reminded that an alcohol ban is already in effect at train stations in 30 major cities, including Hamburg, Cologne, and Munich. She announced that the new regulation will be implemented in 5,400 train stations nationwide by October 15, 2026.

According to the new regulation, passengers will not be prohibited from carrying alcohol with them. However, those consuming alcohol on trains will be fined. It was also stated that those who do not comply with the ban will not be allowed to travel on trains. There will be no restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and cafes within train stations.