Single European train ticket: Brussels proposal could simplify cross-border rail travel from 2028

Brussels – The European Commission has put forward, on 13 May 2026, a major proposal to simplify rail travel across the EU: one journey, one ticket, full rights. The new rules would enable single-ticket bookings across multiple rail operators and grant full passenger rights protection to travellers who miss their connection — a long-standing demand from consumer associations and frequent cross-border travellers.

The reform addresses a fragmented European rail booking landscape where passengers travelling from, for instance, Paris to Vienna often need to purchase separate tickets from SNCF, Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB, with no guaranteed compensation if a delay on one operator causes a missed connection with another. The new framework would change this entirely.

Key features of the proposal

Under the proposed Multimodal Digital Mobility Services Regulation, three core elements would transform European rail travel:

• Single-ticket aggregation: digital platforms (including SNCF Connect, DB Navigator, Trainline, Omio, Eurail, and others) would be obliged to offer combined tickets across multiple operators when journeys span borders or networks
• Through-ticketing rights: passengers with a single combined ticket would be guaranteed the right to compensation, re-routing or refund if any portion of their journey is delayed or cancelled, regardless of which operator was responsible
• Standardised information: real-time data on schedules, prices, accessibility features and seat availability must be shared across booking platforms via open APIs

Significance for the European Green Deal

The proposal aligns with the EU’s broader strategy to shift passenger traffic from air and road to rail, in line with the Green Deal and the European Climate Law targets. Cross-border rail accounts for less than 7% of total EU rail traffic, despite the geographic potential for substitution of short-haul flights between European capitals.

According to the Commission’s impact assessment, the new rules could generate 12 to 18 million additional cross-border rail journeys per year by 2030, displacing approximately 4 million flights and saving an estimated 2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

Operator concerns and timeline

The proposal has been broadly welcomed by consumer protection associations (BEUC) and rail passenger groups (AlleEuropeRailUsers). However, established operators have voiced concerns about commercial confidentiality, integration costs, and the burden of liability for through-ticketing — particularly when delays cascade across multiple network operators.

The text now enters the ordinary legislative procedure. Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) is expected to begin negotiations in September 2026, with adoption targeted for the second half of 2027 and full implementation by mid-2028.