Off-balance-sheet financial instruments and off-balance- sheet assets
In addition to the assets shown in the consolidated balance sheet, DB Group also uses off-balance-sheet financing instruments and assets that are not recognized in the balance sheet.
- We also lease assets of low value on a short-term basis (≤ 1 year) or with a variable fee structure, for which no right-of-use asset or lease liability must be taken into account under IFRS 16.
- In regional rail passenger transport, traction units are also financed via leasing agreements as part of winning tenders for transport contracts, which are generally recognized in the balance sheet (IFRIC 12). Under certain conditions, no recognition in the financial statements takes place.
- As of December 31, 2025, we had sold a very small amount of trade receivables (about € 0.1 billion), for which the main opportunities and risks were transferred to the purchasing bank. The factoring agreements relate exclusive-ly to DB Cargo.
- With regard to the company pension scheme for employees, the liabilities under each retirement scheme are, to some extent, covered and netted by plan assets which are capable of being netted. As of December 31, 2025, the total obligation was € 4,545 million (as of December 31, 2024: € 5,013 million) and the fair value of the plan assets was € 1,817 million (as of December 31, 2024: € 1,797 million). The balancing process leads to a reduction in total assets. The net debt recognized in the balance sheet amounted to € 2,903 million as of December 31, 2025 (as of December 31, 2024: € 3,318 million).
Additional information is available in the basic principles and methods section of the consolidated financial statements.