Deutsche Bahn to ban alcohol consumption at all German railway stations by October 2026
Deutsche Bahn plans to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages on platforms and in station halls at all of its roughly 5,400 stations across Germany. The ban, which does not apply to licensed station restaurants or to sealed bottles carried in bags, is to be rolled out by 15 October 2026.
The company says the measure is intended to improve safety for staff and passengers and to reduce alcohol‑related conflicts and cleaning costs. Early bans at about 30 major stations, such as Hamburg, have already shown a drop in incidents and a stronger sense of security among travellers.
Enforcement will be carried out by DB security personnel and the Bundespolizei; violators face an immediate place‑ejection and, on repeat offences, a permanent ban from the station. Union representatives, the SPD and the police union have called for additional security staff and expressed doubts about the practicality of nationwide enforcement. The homelessness aid sector warns the ban could displace vulnerable people who use stations as sheltered spaces.