The UK and Germany have agreed to form a joint taskforce to explore the development of a direct rail link between the two countries, a move that could transform cross-border travel and trade within the next decade.
Announced as part of a new Bilateral Treaty to be signed by the Prime Minister and Chancellor Friedrich Merz on 17 July, the initiative is designed to boost tourism, support economic growth, and improve international rail connectivity. The plan forms part of the UK Government’s broader Plan for Change, which seeks to deliver more sustainable and accessible transport options.
The taskforce will bring together transport specialists from both nations to address commercial, technical, and regulatory barriers to operating long-distance international rail passenger services. These include safety standards, border checks, and security protocols.
A greener alternative to air travel
The UK’s Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, described the agreement as a step towards “a new era of European rail connectivity,” with potential benefits for passengers, businesses, and the environment.
“The Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie – in just a matter of years, rail passengers in the UK could be able to visit these iconic sights direct from the comfort of a train,” she said. “This landmark agreement… has the potential to fundamentally change how millions of people travel between our two countries, offering a faster, more convenient and significantly greener alternative to flying.”
According to the Department for Transport, a direct rail link could significantly reduce carbon emissions by offering a sustainable option to airline travel, aligning with both countries’ goals to decarbonise transport.
Strengthening economic and cultural links
The proposed rail link is expected to enhance trade between the UK and Germany while supporting job creation and cultural exchange. Alexander said the taskforce would “create new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange,” while also helping British businesses gain better access to European markets.
“A direct rail link would support the creation of jobs and strengthen the vital trade links that underpin our economic relationship with Germany,” she added. “British businesses will have better access to European markets, whilst German companies will find it easier to invest and operate in the UK.”
The project is also framed as a long-term decision to improve international connectivity, in line with recent government efforts to strengthen ties with key European partners.
Building on previous agreements
This initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year between the UK and Switzerland. That agreement, made by Heidi Alexander and Swiss Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, aims to explore the possibility of future commercial rail services between the two countries.
Together, these moves indicate a wider strategy to enhance the UK’s integration into Europe’s rail network, offering passengers more direct international routes and helping to shift travel patterns toward more sustainable modes.
The UK-Germany taskforce will now begin assessing the practical steps needed to deliver direct rail services. This includes examining infrastructure requirements, operator collaboration, and legal frameworks around international train travel. No timeline has yet been set for when services might begin, though officials suggest the aim is to make progress within the next ten years.
Reacting to plans to establish a direct rail link between the UK and Germany, Michael Solomon Williams of Campaign for Better Transport said: “We are delighted to see this announcement, and the public will be too. As our research has shown, international rail is popular with travellers and offers a huge opportunity for the UK economy. With less than half of the Channel Tunnel’s passenger capacity currently being used, there is fantastic scope for more people to travel internationally by train, not just to Germany but to destinations in Switzerland, the South of France and elsewhere. A great next step would be for the Government to develop an international rail strategy with ambitious targets to grow both passenger numbers and freight haulage.”
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