Deutsche Bahn earmarks up to €16 bn, including risk buffer, for Brenner Base Tunnel link

Germany’s state‑owned railway, Deutsche Bahn, plans a financial reserve of roughly €7.6 bn on top of an estimated €8.57 bn for the construction and planning of the German access line to the Brenner Base Tunnel. The total potential outlay could approach €16 bn. The new Munich‑to‑Austrian‑border route is intended to replace the historic 150‑year‑old Alpine line, cut the Germany‑Italy travel time by about two hours and form part of the Scan‑Med rail corridor from Scandinavia to Italy, which is expected to receive EU funding.

The tunnel itself is slated to open for traffic in 2032, but the German feeder line may not be operational until the early 2040s because of ongoing political debates in Bavaria and delayed parliamentary approval. Deutsche Bahn’s project leader Matthias Neumaier emphasized that the large risk buffer is meant for inflation and other uncertainties and is not expected to be fully drawn. Earlier cost estimates in 2021 were around €8 bn, but rising construction prices have driven the revised figures. The federal transport ministry will soon submit the detailed plans to the Bundestag for approval.