Germany: State elections and railway alcohol bans set for September

Germany faces several significant changes in September 2026, including regional elections and new regulations at railway stations.

Three federal states are scheduled for parliamentary elections. Saxony-Anhalt will vote on September 6, followed by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin on September 20. For the Berlin elections, voters must hold German citizenship, be at least 16 years old, and have resided in the city for at least three months.

Deutsche Bahn is implementing a phased alcohol consumption ban across its network. Starting September 1, bans will take effect at Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Berlin Gesundbrunnen, Kiel, and Braunschweig. The policy aims to cover platforms and station halls at approximately 5,400 stations by October 15. While consuming alcohol in these areas will be prohibited, passengers may still carry sealed bottles, and the ban does not extend to trains, restaurants, or bars within the stations.