Train Checks Germany 2026
Fines + ID Rules Explained

If you get caught on a German train without a valid ticket, you pay an increased transport fee of 60 EUR (Beförderungsentgelt) per journey, that's the standard rate under DB's terms of carriage as of 2026. Beyond the fee itself, fare evasion (Schwarzfahren) is a criminal offense under §265a StGB, which can result in a fine or, in repeated cases, even imprisonment up to one year. In practice, first-time offenders usually face just the 60 EUR fee. Repeat offenders risk criminal charges.

For regular single tickets and day passes, conductors won't ask for ID. It's different with the Deutschlandticket and job tickets: because these are personal (non-transferable) tickets, conductors may request a photo ID to verify you're the registered owner. They want to confirm the name on the ticket matches your ID card. From March 2026 onward, these checks became stricter because tickets were being passed around illegally.

If your Deutschlandticket is valid and you can show it, you're usually in the clear. The conductor writes down your details and typically gives you 14 days to present your ID at a DB office. If you do, the fine often disappears. But if the conductor suspects ticket fraud, you'll likely pay the 60 EUR on the spot. Always carry your ID when traveling on a German train.

Schwarzfahren (fare evasion) is legally defined as "Erschleichen von Leistungen" (obtaining services fraudulently) under §265a of the German Criminal Code. Anyone who boards a train without paying, intending not to pay, commits a criminal offense. Penalties range from a fine to imprisonment up to one year. In everyday practice, the first offense typically results in just the 60 EUR civil fee. Criminal prosecution usually follows only repeated violations or when the civil fee goes unpaid.

Repeated offenses prompt DB to file criminal charges. Your case goes to court, and you face potential fines (often calculated in daily rates, Tagessätze) or, rarely, jail time. The exact penalty depends on the number of repeat offenses and how much you owe. If you're caught multiple times, it's wise to consult a lawyer. Many people don't realize that fare evasion is a criminal matter, it's not just a civil fee.

Train conductors (Zugbegleiter) and DB security perform fare inspections: they check your ticket and, for personal tickets, your ID to verify ownership. Federal police (Bundespolizei) conduct separate identity and border controls, usually near Germany's borders or in specific security zones. They check your travel documents and legal residency status, not your train ticket. These are two entirely different checks with different purposes. Police won't ask about your fare; conductors won't verify your immigration status.

Children under 14 don't need their own Personalausweis (national ID card). If a child travels alone, a school ID or student card helps prove age. Traveling with a guardian, the adult's ID suffices. However, if a child has their own Deutschlandticket registered in their name, a conductor might still ask for proof of identity or age during a check.

No. The Deutschlandticket is strictly personal and non-transferable. It's registered to one specific person's name. If you use someone else's ticket, you're legally traveling without a valid ticket, that's fare evasion (Schwarzfahren) under §265a StGB, with all the consequences. This is precisely why conductors started checking IDs in March 2026: to catch unauthorized ticket sharing. Don't risk it.