Frecciarossa to Run Tests in Germany Through Munich by 2027

Trenitalia has begun test runs of the Frecciarossa high-speed train on German and Austrian territory, in partnership with state railways Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB. According to ANSA, the expectation is that the first commercial connections between Italy and Germany will begin operating by summer 2027, linking Milan and Rome to Munich.

What Happened

The tests mark a new phase in the international expansion project of Ferrovie dello Stato, the holding company that controls Trenitalia. According to ANSA, the Frecciarossa test runs on German and Austrian soil aim to verify the technical compatibility of Italian rolling stock with the rail infrastructure of both countries, as well as to adjust operational procedures between the companies involved.

The partnership brings together Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn (German state railway) and ÖBB (Austrian state railway), in a joint effort to enable direct high-speed connections between southern Europe and the center of the continent. If tests are completed successfully, the commercial routes Milan-Munich and Rome-Munich should enter operation by summer 2027.

Route Details

The journey between Milan and Munich should take approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes, with planned stops in Brescia, Verona, Rovereto, Trento, Bolzano, and Innsbruck. The Rome to Munich connection should take around 8 hours and 30 minutes, passing through Florence, Bologna, Verona, Rovereto, Trento, Bolzano, and Innsbruck before crossing the Austrian border toward Bavaria.

Both routes traverse the Brenner corridor, a historic Alpine passage between Italy and Austria, today a strategic axis for the rail connection between northern Italy and central Europe. The presence of Innsbruck in the route reinforces Austria's role as a mandatory transit point in this new high-speed network.

Project Context

The initiative is part of the project branded "Europe's Metro," conducted by Ferrovie dello Stato with the goal of expanding the presence of Italian high-speed trains beyond national borders. The Frecciarossa already operates commercially in France and Spain, and arrival in Germany and Austria represents another step in this expansion.

According to ANSA, Ferrovie dello Stato's goal is even more ambitious: to reach the United Kingdom through the Channel Tunnel by 2029, which would put the Frecciarossa on a direct route to London. If confirmed, the plan would consolidate Italy's high-speed rail network as one of the most extensive in Europe, alongside systems already operated by Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, and French SNCF.

Why It Matters to Italian Descendants

For Brazilians traveling to Italy in search of family roots—often visiting cities like Rome, Florence, and northern Italian locations linked to immigration history—the new rail connection makes it easier to combine itineraries that include Germany and Austria on the same train journey, without the need for additional international flights.

The expansion of the rail network also aligns with the growing interest of descendants seeking Italian citizenship and taking advantage of their trip to Italy to resolve process stages, such as searching for certificates in Italy at local registries and parishes. Those who already live in the country or plan to spend longer periods there can also follow this kind of news in the Life in Italy section.

The Rome-Munich route, in particular, passes through regions that concentrate much of the historical records used in Italian citizenship recognition processes by descent, which could make the logistics of future trips simpler for those who need to travel between Italian and European archives.

Conclusion

The Frecciarossa tests in Germany and Austria represent another advance in European rail integration, with possible direct benefits for Brazilians traveling to Italy for work, tourism, or in search of family documentation. By summer 2027, if all goes as planned, it will be possible to board in Milan or Rome and disembark in Munich without changing trains. For more updates on transportation, tourism, and life in Italy, follow Raízes Italianas' Italy News.

Want to know if you have the right to Italian citizenship? Talk to a specialized Italian citizenship advisory.

Source: ANSA