Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway company, plans to make three office days a week the standard for staff whose jobs can be done remotely. According to heise online, citing an internal management email reported by Der Spiegel, the rule is to be rolled out across the group by the end of 2027, with each company in the group setting the details.
Key takeaways
- New minimum: three days in the office each week for remote-capable staff.
- Deadline: the end of 2027.
- A spokesperson said it affects about one third of the workforce, around 75,000 people.
- The current group rule is one office day a week; DB Regio already requires three.
- A works council survey at DB InfraGO found 87 percent of respondents viewed a mandatory return negatively.
What is changing?
Until now, Deutsche Bahn has asked remote-capable staff to come in one day a week. The new standard triples that. The company says the rest of its workforce, more than 225,000 people in total according to its June interim report, has always worked on site to keep trains running.
A spokesperson said the change is "not an instrument for reducing staff". Some observers see office mandates as a quiet way to encourage people to leave, which is why companies are often asked about this.
How have staff reacted?
Not well. Der Spiegel reported that management first discussed the move in August but did not decide, possibly because of expected resistance. A works council survey at the infrastructure subsidiary DB InfraGO found 87 percent of respondents viewed a mandatory return negatively, with worries about productivity and predictable days. At a staff meeting in Leipzig in late September, the works council said trust, work-life balance and the company's appeal as an employer were at stake. Staff said remote work had been a key reason many joined.
The move also shows that office rules are spreading beyond banks and tech firms to large public-facing employers, including state-owned companies.
Who is affected?
Office-based staff in planning, IT, administration and engineering support roles are most affected. In Germany, works councils have a say in how such rules are applied, so details may vary across subsidiaries.
Is this part of a wider trend?
Yes. Large employers in Europe and the US have tightened office rules this autumn, including NatWest, Xbox and Skydance. Fully remote roles are becoming scarcer at big organisations.
What should remote workers do now?
- Check your contract and any works agreement that covers remote work.
- Ask HR when and how the rule will apply to your team.
- If remote work is essential to you, look for employers that state it in the job ad. Our remote job boards guide and work from home jobs guide can help.
Source: heise online, 7 October 2026.
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