Berlin-Szczecin rail upgrade faces delays as Polish funding stalls cross-border progress

A major rail upgrade between Berlin and Szczecin is underway, promising faster and more frequent connections. The project includes electrification, double-track expansion, and a new direct service to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). However, a recent funding setback in Poland has raised concerns about delays on the cross-border section. Construction on the German side is moving forward. Königs Wusterhausen station, near BER, will be rebuilt by spring 2027 to add extra platforms for through trains. The entire line is set to reopen as a fully electrified, double-track route by December 2027, with trains reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h (99 mph). By December 2026, the route will already return to its previous operational state, though full upgrades will take another year.

Work on the northern stretch between Passow and the Polish border is due to start this summer, following recent permit approvals. But progress on the Polish side has hit a snag. Poland's president vetoed key funding for electrification, leaving the project's future uncertain beyond the border.

Despite the funding issues, a new Regional Express line, the RE9, will launch in December 2026. It will run every two hours, linking Szczecin Główny to BER via Angermünde and Berlin, then continuing to Cottbus. The service replaces the existing RE66, extending its operation to all-day travel instead of limited slots. It will also take over every second RE20 service in Berlin's long-distance rail tunnel, maintaining current capacity if schedules hold.

Szczecin Główny will gain a direct regional connection to BER before the end of the year. While exact travel times for the RE9 remain unconfirmed, the two-hourly service (effective hourly with a change at Angermünde) aims to offer a real alternative to driving. The upgrades will bring faster, electrified trains and a new direct airport link by late 2026. But without Polish funding, the full cross-border benefits remain at risk. The RE9's launch will still mark a significant improvement for travellers between Szczecin and Berlin.