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Joint declaration of intent (JDI) stating the roles and responsibilities in developing a direct international rail connection between the UK and Germany, involving the:

• Department for Transport (DfT) of the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) of the Federal Republic of Germany

The Department for Transport (DfT) of the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the United Kingdom) and the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) of the Federal Republic of Germany, hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘the participants’.

The participants appreciate the economic, social and historical ties between both countries and affirm their wish to develop closer rail links, which is in their mutual economic and cultural interest. The participants consider their close cooperation in developing and establishing the necessary conditions to establish a direct international passenger rail connection between the UK and Germany.

They have reached the following understanding.

1. Purposes

The purposes of this JDIÌý²¹°ù±ð:

• to acknowledge the participants’ ambitions to facilitate the establishment of direct international passenger rail services between the UKÌý²¹²Ô»å Germany
• to define the areas of cooperation to be explored by the participants and relevant third parties as necessary, in order to identify the relevant operational, regulatory, policy and commercial requirements of operating direct international passenger rail services between the UK and Germany
• to establish various forms of cooperation between the participants and third parties to explore the areas outlined in section 2 (areas of cooperation)

2. Areas of cooperation

In accordance with other provisions in this JDI, the participants acknowledge that cooperation may include, but should not be limited to, the following fields:

• sharing of information and expertise on the participants’ respective policies on international passenger rail services, including market access
• understanding the practical requirements for border and security controls, as well as exploring the associated treaty arrangements to be entered into by the participants to underpin these
• identifying the relevant technical and safety regulations that apply, noting the unique requirements of operating through the Channel Tunnel
• cooperating with relevant infrastructure managers to establish infrastructure and capacity requirements along the route
• facilitating dialogue with interested operators to develop appropriate commercial arrangements
• any other forms of collaboration as approved by the participants

Jointly, both participants endeavour to:

• facilitate, at such intervals as deemed appropriate, meetings to review the progress of activities carried out under the present JDIÌý²¹²Ô»å to plan future activities
• keep each other informed on a regular basis on matters deemed relevant to the participants under the scope of this understanding

3. Forms of cooperation

In accordance with other provisions in this JDI, the participants may pursue cooperation through one or more of the following methods:

• exchange between official delegates and experts related to this JDI
• co-hosting of workshops and other technical exchanges
• establishment of a joint taskforce between DfTÌý²¹²Ô»å BMV, hosted alternately in the UKÌý²ú²â DfTÌý²¹²Ô»å in Germany by the BMV or as otherwise jointly decided
• other forms of cooperation as mutually considered appropriate

4. Third party participation

Subject to their joint decision, the participants acknowledge that individuals and entities from the private, public and other sectors may be invited to support the cooperative activities described herein, provided that they can directly and meaningfully contribute to the achievements of the objectives of the JDI.

5. Coordination and facilitation of cooperative activities

The participants understand that cooperation under this JDI may be in part developed and carried out by various third-party stakeholders, as approved by the participants.

The participants will, as appropriate, encourage and facilitate the development of direct contact with and among government institutions and businesses.

6. Effects of this JDI

°Õ³ó¾±²õÌýJDI is not legally binding under national, European Union or international law.

The participants understand that all actions they carry out under this JDI will be subject, as appropriate, to national, European Union and international law and any other applicable rules and obligations.

°Õ³ó¾±²õÌýJDI does not affect the rights and obligations of third parties, or the rights of the participants to conclude agreements with respect to any matter described in this JDI.

7. Settlement of disputes

Any dispute arising from the interpretation or application of this JDI should be settled amicably through consultations between the participants. Each participant reserves the right to take any measures that may be appropriate or necessary to safeguard its sovereignty, security and intellectual property and commercial rights.

8. Intellectual property

The participants understand that any intellectual property submitted by one of the participants to the other should remain the intellectual property of the submitting participant in accordance with the applicable legislation. The participants are expected not to share or disclose it without the prior consent of the submitting participant.

In the event that any intellectual property rights should arise from activity carried out in accordance with this JDI, the participants understand that it should be attributed and protected in accordance with the participants’ respective applicable laws, subject to any alternative arrangements that may be decided by the participants and those participating in the activity.

9. Costs

°Õ³ó¾±²õÌýJDI does not involve or require the transfer of financial or material resources by or between the participants and each participant is expected to incur the expenses arising from the implementation of its part of the matters of activities approved under this JDI.

10. Confidentiality

The participants are expected to protect the confidentiality of information and documents exchanged or generated under this JDI. Neither participant nor any of its personnel should disclose any such confidential information or documents to a third party at any time, without the prior written approval of the other participant.

The participants acknowledge that the information exchanged under this JDI should only be disclosed to third parties by mutual consent of the participants in a manner consistent with the objectives of the JDI.

In circumstances where either participant is legally obliged to disclose any information related to this JDI under applicable law, by court order or for another reason, it should notify the other participant before doing so.

11. Entry into operation, amendment and termination

°Õ³ó¾±²õÌýJDI will come into operation on the date of signature. The participants may amend this JDI at any time upon their mutual written consent.

°Õ³ó¾±²õÌýJDI will remain in effect for a 5-year period. Following the 5-year period, the participants will formally review the JDIÌý²¹²Ô»å establish if it is still fit for purpose. At this point, the JDI may be renewed.

Either participant may terminate this JDIÌý²ú²â prior written notification to the other participant, at any time, preferably on 6 months’ notice.

If this JDI is terminated or not renewed, its modalities will remain valid for ongoing programmes or activities arising from its implementation, unless the participants decide otherwise.

Participant addresses

For all purposes of this JDI, the competent authorities are:

12.1Ìý¶Ù±ð±è²¹°ù³Ù³¾±ð²Ô³Ù for Transport

12.2 Federal Ministry of Transport

The foregoing record represents the understandings reached between the representatives of DfTÌý²¹²Ô»å BMV upon the matters referred to therein.

°Õ³ó¾±²õÌýJDI is signed on 13 August 2025 in Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany, in duplicate in the German and English languages. Both texts hold equal validity. In the event of inconsistencies, the English version should have priority.

Signed

Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport of the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Patrick Schnieder, Minister of Transport of the Federal Republic of Germany