The massive public transport strike in Germany was short-lived and is now coming to an end. Find out which cities will see traffic resume soon and how it will affect travel

On Monday, February 2, 2026, Germany's largest cities faced massive disruptions to public transport due to a one-day strike called by the Ver.di trade union. The action covered almost all federal states of the country, but the situation should stabilize in the near future - the strike is not planned to continue indefinitely, and the parties are preparing to return to negotiations.

Even short-term disruptions in transport can disrupt travel plans. Travel insurance from Visit World will help protect you from unforeseen expenses in the event of delays, route changes or other force majeure during a trip to Germany and other European countries.

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Which cities were most affected by the strike in Germany?

On the day of the protest, bus, tram and metro traffic in Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen completely stopped. There were also severe restrictions in most major cities in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

The only federal state where public transport operated normally was Lower Saxony - local workers are bound by current labor agreements that do not allow them to participate in strikes.

In total, about 100,000 workers from more than 150 municipal transport companies joined the action, making this strike one of the largest in the German transport sector in recent years.

Reasons for the protest of public transport workers in Germany

The Ver.di trade union claims that the strike was the result of fruitless negotiations with municipal and state employers. The main demands of the workers concern:

- Reduction of the length of work shifts and the working week;

- Increased rest time between shifts;

- Increased bonuses for night shifts and weekend work.

According to union representatives, without improved working conditions, the industry will continue to face a shortage of personnel, as shift work and high workloads make these professions increasingly less attractive.

The strike of public transport workers in Germany was short-lived

Despite the large-scale disruptions, the action was of a one-day nature. Ver.di representatives have already stated that their priority remains not further escalation, but a return to the negotiation process. The next round of negotiations between unions and employers is scheduled for February 9.

It is expected that after the strike ends, public transport in cities will gradually return to normal schedules, and passengers will be able to use buses, trams and the metro without restrictions.

Which public transport in Germany operated without changes?

It is important that the strike did not affect Deutsche Bahn trains. S-Bahn suburban lines and intercity trains in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart were operating as usual, as the company's employees are not represented by the Ver.di union.

Weather conditions complicated the situation

The difficult weather conditions were an additional challenge. In many regions of the country, sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice were recorded, which made it even more difficult to move around cities. The German Meteorological Service warns that in some regions, difficult weather conditions may persist for several more days.

The public transport strike in Germany, which caused significant inconvenience to passengers, is temporary and is already coming to an end. Normal transport operations are expected to resume in the near future, and further developments will depend on the results of negotiations between unions and employers.

Strikes, bad weather and transport restrictions are the reality of winter travel in Europe. Travel insurance from Visit World covers emergency situations on the road and helps to avoid financial risks when traveling to Germany.

Take care of the safety of your trip before you leave!

Reminder! In 2026, many countries introduced new requirements for tourists: ETIAS in the EU, ETA in the UK, updated ESTA for the USA and digital arrival cards. We have already told you what will change and how to prepare for travel in advance.

Photo - generated by Gemini

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