Despite much debate, the Deutschlandticket is a successful model: 13 million people currently have a Deutschlandticket. The reason for its success is obvious. The ticket has brought clarity to the German fare jungle. For the first time, there is a nationwide monthly subscription for almost all forms of public transport.
Commuters in particular have been relieved by the Deutschlandticket. This is because the Deutschlandticket is cheaper for them than most of the previous monthly tickets offered by the transport associations, as employers pay for the ticket on a pro rata basis and they receive a 5% discount on the Deutschlandticket Jobticket.
However, the Deutschlandticket is set to become more expensive from 2025, costing 58 euros per month instead of the previous 49 euros. This was agreed by the transport ministers of the federal states at the end of September. This means that the ticket price will increase by nine euros from 1 January 2025. We have summarized the most important questions about the Deutschlandticket price increase and provide answers.
The Deutschlandticket price will increase by 9 euros in 2025, meaning that the ticket will then cost 58 euros per month. This price increase will also affect the existing Jobticket scheme for the Deutschlandticket.
Initially, the original regulation on the employer subsidy of at least 25 percent and the associated discount of 5 percent will remain in place. With ticket costs of 58 euros per month, the minimum contribution for employers will increase from 12.25 euros to 14.50 euros. For employees, this means that their contribution to the Jobticket will increase from 34.30 euros to 40.60 euros.
The federal government and the 16 federal states together subsidize the Deutschlandticket with 1.5 billion euros each - a total of 3 billion euros annually. However, funding for the Deutschlandticket is capped at a total of 9 billion euros for the years 2023 to 2025. This means that, as things stand at the moment, the end of 2025 is the end of the road and the federal and state governments have not yet been able to agree on further funding. In addition, in 2024 alone, transport companies will receive an estimated 3.5 to 4.3 billion euros less money due to the Deutschlandticket. The resulting deficits and the expected shortfall in revenue for 2025 are to be offset by the price increase to 58 euros.
According to the transport ministers, price increases for the Deutschlandticket should provide transport companies with long-term planning security. However, it cannot be ruled out that further price adjustments will be necessary in the future, as is usually the case with other tickets.
Nine euros more per month per employee is still a manageable additional cost for many employers. However, the cost of the Deutschlandticket could rise further in future, creating legal uncertainties for employers. So what should you look out for?
So far, there is no case law on what applies under employment law in the event of a price increase for the Deutschlandticket, as the current price increase is the first.
Employment law experts recommend that employers should pay attention to the wording of the agreement on the Deutschlandticket to avoid risking a legal dispute with employees as to whether or not the more expensive ticket must be paid for. For example, employers should include a fixed amount or a maximum amount in the agreement instead of a blanket promise to pay for the Deutschlandticket.
This would also have advantages in the event that the Deutschlandticket is replaced by another ticket, which may then have a different name.
