Italo plans entry into German long‑distance rail, sparking competition debate

Italian high‑speed train operator Italo is preparing to launch services on Germany’s long‑distance network. The company is discussing a partnership with Siemens that could see Italo trains run on routes such as Munich‑Berlin‑Hamburg from 2030, targeting a market currently dominated by Deutsche Bahn.

Analysts note that Italy’s rail sector, led by Trenitalia and Italo, ranks at the top of European punctuality and service ratings, while Deutsche Bahn placed 17th in a 2024 EU comparison. The prospective entry of Italo is expected to introduce competition, potentially improving reliability and service quality on German tracks that have been criticized for aging infrastructure and frequent delays.