Nürtingen cheers: New Railway Act opens doors for residential projects!

Nürtingen cheers: New Railway Act opens doors for residential projects!

On July 1, 2025, an important new version of the General Railway Act (AEG) was passed by the Bundestag. The top of the administrative in Nürtingen is confident and hopes for quick decisions for the release of areas for railway purposes. The aim is to promote housing on these areas in order to counter current lack of housing. The changed legislation comes after a phase of the protests by municipalities that were concerned about the tightening of the AEG at the end of 2023.

Around 170 municipalities across Germany are affected by the changes that are defined in the new version of the AEG. The Bundestag decided on June 26, 2025 changes to Paragraph 23 of the AEG. In the vote, 305 MPs spoke in favor of 67 abstentions. CDU/CSU and SPD support the changes, but AfD and left faction were correct, while the Greens have their voice.

Reform of the railway property right

The changes stipulate that land that had previously been reserved for rail operations can now also be released for other uses if there is no longer a need for traffic. This should facilitate the rededication of areas and promote housing projects. On the other hand, there is the possibility of reactivating railway lines, which means that the purpose of the railway operations remains protected.

The Greens had brought in their own draft law to change the AEG, which strives to be more legally anchored in the rail policy goals and a clear implementation plan to regulate the rising area requirement of the railway. However, this proposal was rejected. The interpretation of the Federal Railway Office, which makes housing on former railway plots, is also criticized.

complexity of the regulations

The changes adopted on July 1st also contain a transitional arrangement that allows exemption procedures to be decided according to the legal situation applicable until December 29, 2023. This regulation could help local administrations get clarity about the use of areas faster. At the same time, it is important that in the re -evaluation of the areas the public interest in rail operations continues to flow into decision -making.

The mixed reactions to the new law show that the municipal administrations will see both opportunities and challenges in the reform. Nürtingen's head of administration hopes to implement the improvements quickly and efficiently in order to create urgently needed living space.