Munich to Implement Minimum Fares for Uber and Bolt from July 2026
Munich, April 29 – The Munich City Council’s district administration committee has decided that minimum fares will apply to rides with services like Uber, Bolt, and similar providers starting July 2026. Previously, such minimum prices were only applicable to taxis. This move, which still requires confirmation from the full City Council assembly on Wednesday, aims to foster fairer competition within the city’s mobility sector.
Under the new regulations, ride-hailing services will be required to charge a minimum base fare of 5.13 Euros. For journeys up to seven kilometers, the per-kilometer rate will be 2.43 Euros, increasing to 2.25 Euros for distances beyond that. These rates are aligned with taxi tariffs, though without the additional taxi surcharges. According to Uber’s own estimates, these changes will increase the average cost of a ride by approximately eight Euros, potentially making Munich one of Europe’s most expensive cities for individual mobility.
Fairer Competition and Labor Protection
The decision by the district administration committee has been praised by taxi platforms such as Freenow, which views it as a significant step towards greater fairness in the industry. The platform argued that extremely low prices, while attractive in the short term, ultimately lead to pressure on wages and working conditions. The city justifies the intervention by citing the need for fair competition and protecting the taxi industry from predatory pricing.
Investigations by Munich’s main customs office have revealed widespread violations of labor and social laws, as well as minimum wage regulations, among platform providers. Taxi drivers, who are more heavily regulated as part of public transport, had long demanded minimum prices to address these disparities.
Impact on Taxi Services and Criticism from Ride-Hailing Companies
In a reciprocal move to balance the market, some taxi prices will be reduced. The per-kilometer rate for journeys over seven kilometers will decrease from 2.70 to 2.50 Euros. Fixed prices for routes such as from the city center to the airport will be lowered from 106 to 96 Euros, and from the main station to the trade fair from 43 to 41 Euros. The minimum base fare for ride-hailing services remains below the 5.90 Euros charged by taxis.
Uber and Bolt have criticized the decision, labeling it a politically mandated price increase that will make mobility more expensive and endanger jobs. They also expressed concerns about legal uncertainties. Last summer, many drivers for these services protested on the streets, but their efforts seemingly did not alter the outcome.
The city emphasized that negotiations for voluntary minimum prices and fees had failed. The new minimum prices will apply to all rides within the city area, regardless of the company’s headquarters, and will be monitored through operational audits and fare inquiries. Munich will be the largest German city to implement such rules, following similar or evolving models in Heidelberg, Essen, and Leipzig. Other cities, including Cologne, Berlin, Dortmund, and Nuremberg, are observing the developments and considering their own measures.
This initiative underscores a broader European perspective on regulating the gig economy and ensuring equitable conditions across different transport sectors. The new regulations are expected to reshape the competitive landscape for mobility services in Munich, aiming for a more balanced and fair environment for all participants.
Source: https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/muenchen-uber-and-co-werden-voraussichtlich-bald-teurer,VI5Hlhf
