Italo Plans to Start High-Speed Train Services in Germany
Italian private high-speed operator Italo plans to invest billions in launching train services in Germany in competition with Deutsche Bahn.
Italo’s German expansion plans
According to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine, the private Italian high-speed rail operator Italo is seriously considering entering the German domestic rail market.
The prestigious German newspaper even described Italo’s plans to operate high-speed trains in Germany as “well advanced”.
Frankfurter Allgemeine reports that Italo intends to invest a sum in the high single-digit billions of euros in German high-speed rail operations.
Italo has reportedly already established a wholly owned subsidiary in Germany, and the application to operate a railway company there was submitted in October.
Italo high-speed train. ©AndyBTravels
Proposed train services
Italo is reportedly considering launching hourly or two-hourly services between major cities in Germany.
The Italian rail company now seeks guarantees for its planned investments – specifically in the form of long-term contracts for access to railway lines.
These so-called framework agreements are intended to run for 15 years, which would give Italo the assurances it needs to have a fair chance to launch serious operations that can compete with the ICE high-speed trains of Germany’s national operator Deutsche Bahn.
About Italo
Italo has substantial financial backers to support its German expansion plans.
The principal shareholder in Italo is MSC, the world’s largest shipping company.
Italo reported revenue of €911 million last year, with net profit of €108 million.
The company was founded in 2006 by Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, an Italian businessman and motorsport executive best known as the former chairman of Ferrari and Fiat.
Italo began operations in 2012, and while the Italian national operator Trenitalia immediately sought to protect its monopoly, Italo remained persistent and ultimately succeeded in offering a genuine alternative to the national railway company, leading to lower ticket prices and improved quality of train services across Italy.
In my Substack post about open-access rail in Europe, I have written extensively about Italo and other private operators, so be sure to have a read if you want to learn more.
Italo and Trenitalia high-speed trains at Milano Centrale, the central railway station of Milan. ©AndyBTravels
Trenitalia’s German expansion plans
Italo is not the only Italian railway company planning to expand in Germany, as Trenitalia has previously announced its intention to run international high-speed rail services linking Italy with Germany.
The national Italian railway company is expected to launch Rome-Munich and Milan-Munich high-speed services on 13 December 2026, followed by Milan-Berlin on 13 June 2027, and Naples–Munich on 12 December 2027.
On 11 June 2028, Trenitalia hopes to launch a Berlin–Naples high-speed route.
Trenitalia plans to use its flagship Frecciarossa 1000 high-speed trains for these Italy-Germany services, which will run across the Brenner Pass via Austria.
Conclusion
Italo plans to launch domestic high-speed train services in Germany, having reportedly already established a subsidiary there and applied for rail operator certification.
The company plans to invest well over a billion euros in competing with Deutsche Bahn’s ICE trains on high-speed routes across Germany.
