Deutsche Bahn admits Stuttgart 21 Tiefbahnhof needs three more billion euros and five extra years

The Stuttgart 21 Tiefbahnhof project faces another major setback as Deutsche Bahn announced on Friday that the €14.5 billion project will now require at least three additional billion euros and five more years of construction time. The revised budget and timeline, published by *taz* and *ORF* , push the Tiefbahnhof’s opening to at least 2031—twelve years later than the original 2019 target.

Deutsche Bahn’s chief executive Evelyn Palla attributed the delays and cost overruns to “gravierende Mängel” in planning and control, according to reporting by *Handelsblatt*, *Süddeutsche Zeitung*, and *ORF*. The project’s total budget has ballooned from €11.5 billion to €14.5 billion, with the Tiefbahnhof alone now accounting for €1.5 billion in additional expenses. The latest adjustments follow repeated postponements of the Tiefbahnhof’s opening, which was originally scheduled for 2026 before being pushed to 2031 .

Critics and observers have long questioned the project’s feasibility, with *taz* describing the situation as a “Debakel” . The latest revelations come as Deutsche Bahn faces mounting scrutiny over its management of large-scale infrastructure projects. The Tiefbahnhof, a cornerstone of Stuttgart 21, is now expected to cost at least €16 billion by the time it opens, though industry analysts suggest the final figure could rise further as construction progresses.

The delays and cost increases raise fresh concerns about the project’s long-term viability and its impact on regional rail connectivity. With the Tiefbahnhof’s completion now more than a decade behind schedule, passengers and commuters in Baden-Württemberg will continue to rely on the existing above-ground station for the foreseeable future. Deutsche Bahn has not indicated whether further adjustments to the budget or timeline are expected, but the latest revisions underscore the persistent challenges plaguing one of Germany’s most controversial infrastructure initiatives.