DB may return to operating on profit in 2025 and 2026

Deutsche Bahn has announced that it may return to operating at a profit in 2025 and 2026. Newly-appointed CEO Evelyn Palla has also announced a plan to restructure management at the state-owned company.

Deutsche Bahn may operate at profit in 2026

After suffering a loss of 333 million euros in 2024, Deutsche Bahn is expected to bring in a profit of around 500 million euros before interest and tax in 2025. The rail company is expecting net losses of 820 million euros in 2025, with the aim of bringing this figure all the way down to 180 million euros in 2026.

Long starved of the funding required to maintain its track network and keep its services punctual, Deutsche Bahn is plagued with delays. Just 48,5 percent of long-distance trains were on time in October 2025 - a punctuality all-time low for the national rail company. Punctuality figures improved slightly in November 2025, when 54,5 percent of long-distance services were on time.

Despite the profit forecast and gentle punctuality improvement, passengers shouldn’t hold their breath for a total service re-vamp; problems at Deutsche Bahn are too baked in for a speedy turnaround. Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla and Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) have set a goal for 70 percent of long-distance train services to arrive on time by 2029.

Palla announces DB management restructuring

Other changes at Deutsche Bahn are coming in the more immediate future. According to a recent report by Handelsblatt, Palla plans to reduce upper management positions at the company from 43 to 22. 

Decision making is to be decentralised, with more decision-making responsibility to be given to bosses at Deutsche Bahn’s subsidiaries. Palla announced that the restructuring process would be finalised by January 1, 2026.