# More and faster trains planned between Netherlands and Germany

> German transport minister Steffen Bilger and Dutch state secretary Annet Bertram signed a joint declaration in Berlin, aiming for more and faster passenger trains, including to Berlin, and stronger freight links.

Politics · published 2026-11-10 08:37 · https://nlnow.nl/a/netherlands-and-germany-agree-to-run-more-trains-across-the-border/

The Netherlands and Germany will work more closely on rail to strengthen cross-border passenger and freight transport, including military mobility. Bilger and Bertram, the Dutch state secretary for public transport and rail, signed the declaration in Berlin.

**Why it matters**

- The aim is more passenger trains between the two countries and shorter journey times, for example to Berlin.
- Both countries want to make it easier for new rail operators to enter the international train market, to increase competition.
- Today roughly twice as many daily high-speed trains run to Paris as to Berlin.

The two countries are focusing mainly on the corridors Amsterdam-Hamburg, Amsterdam-Berlin and Amsterdam-Frankfurt. Train services between Coevorden and Bad Bentheim start in December, and the Wunderline between Groningen and Leer recently reopened.

Four cross-border routes will be tackled: the German link to the Betuweroute freight line, including more capacity on Emmerich-Oberhausen; Venlo-Kaldenkirchen-Viersen; the Bad Bentheim/Oldenzaal crossing; and Bremen-Oldenburg-Groningen-Amsterdam. About 45,000 freight trains a year cross the border at Zevenaar, Venlo and Bad Bentheim.

An advisory committee was recently set up to look at how the Lelylijn could be brought closer. Extending it to Germany is an option.

Technical cooperation will grow too, including on the European train safety system ERTMS and on allowing extra-long trains of 740 metres, which also helps military mobility.

> Good rail links between the Netherlands and Germany are essential, also from a European perspective.
> — Annet Bertram, state secretary for public transport and rail

Bilger said the declaration lays a new basis to develop cross-border transport, promote rail digitalisation and remove existing obstacles. He said the reopening of the Friesenbrücke and the Wunderline shows what is possible.

**What happens next**

- Ministers will meet once a year with infrastructure managers ProRail and DB InfraGO.
- Working groups will develop the plans further.

## Background

- **Wunderline**: The Wunderline is the railway line linking Groningen in the northern Netherlands with Leer in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is one of the cross-border rail connections between the two countries, and its service is a regional link rather than a long-distance route. It matters for travellers and freight in the northern border region, where it is part of the wider plan to strengthen rail links with Germany.
- **Betuweroute**: The Betuweroute is a dedicated freight railway line that runs from the Port of Rotterdam to the German border near Zevenaar, carrying goods trains only. It links the port's container and cargo traffic to the German rail network, and it is a key route for freight moving between the Netherlands and Germany.
- **Lelylijn**: The Lelylijn is a proposed new fast railway line in the north of the Netherlands, planned to connect Lelystad in Flevoland with Groningen. It is a project still under study rather than an existing line, and any plans to extend it would be discussed as part of that wider rail project.

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