Deutsche Bahn will prohibit drinking alcoholic beverages at about 5,400 train stations across Germany starting October 15, 2026, aiming to improve safety for passengers and staff [1, 2, 3]. The ban covers consumption of beer, wine, and spirits on platforms and in waiting halls but exempts licensed restaurants and bars within stations, where drinking will still be allowed [1, 2, 3]. Passengers may carry sealed alcohol containers but are not allowed to consume them on station premises [1, 2, 3].

Currently, trains themselves still allow alcohol consumption, with Deutsche Bahn continuing to sell alcoholic drinks on long-distance routes [1, 3]. The nationwide ban responds to a July 17 incident, where a drunken passenger attacked a railway employee on a regional train going about 120 km/h; the employee fell from the moving train and sustained serious injuries [1, 2, 3].

Over 30 large German stations including those in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, and Munich have already implemented the alcohol ban ahead of the full rollout [1, 2, 3]. In some cases, the ban extends to station forecourts owned by Deutsche Bahn [1, 3]. Enforcement will fall to Deutsche Bahn security personnel and the Federal Police, with violators expelled from stations and repeat offenders potentially permanently banned from the premises [1, 2, 3].

Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla said, "We’re taking decisive action: We’re banning alcohol consumption from our train stations. All too often, we’ve seen that where there’s too much alcohol, violence also increases" [2]. She expressed frustration over past incidents with the phrase "够了！" (Enough!) [1].

However, police unions expressed doubts about consistent enforcement, citing heavy demands on Federal Police for border control and large event security. Alexander Poitz, Deputy Chairman of the Federal Police Union, criticized the policy's inconsistency, saying, "It makes no sense to ban drinking in stations but allow it on trains" [1, 3]. He called for extending the alcohol ban to trains as well.

The alcohol ban is scheduled to be fully in place by October 15, 2026, covering all Deutsche Bahn stations nationwide [1, 2, 3].