Why did German taxis declare war on Uber?
- Damian Brzeski
- Jun 13
- 5 min read
Is this the final chapter in the story of Germany's iconic pudding taxis? The industry is on the verge of collapse, drivers are at the limit of their endurance, and digital giants are pressing relentlessly.
What does the upcoming protest threaten? And why are millions of Germans now taking the side of those they have been rushing past?
The beginning of the end for pudding taxis in Germany?
Imagine a morning in Berlin , Frankfurt or Munich. Instead of smooth traffic, the streets are blocked by convoys of characteristic, cream-colored taxis, and the air is pierced by the sound of horns.
Do you think this is just another strike for pay rises? Nothing could be further from the truth. What is happening on the streets of Germany in 2024-2025 is a real fight for survival.
It is a desperate attempt to redefine its role in a world dominated by digital giants.
The German taxi industry is bleeding.
Since the pandemic, thousands of companies have disappeared and drivers are leaving the profession in droves. The upcoming nationwide protest, scheduled for July 2, 2025 , is not an isolated act of desperation.
It’s a carefully planned culmination of months of anger and injustice. The taxi drivers are saying it outright: this is war.
A war for fair rules, for decent wages and for the future of the entire sector. And on the other side of the barricade? There are powerful players whose apps you probably have on your phone – Uber, Bolt and Free Now .
What's at Stake? Anatomy of a Taxi Rebellion
To understand why German taxi drivers are ready to blockade the largest cities, you have to look under the hood of this conflict. And there are problems that are causing headaches.
Unequal Fight: Price Dumping and Digital Predators
At the heart of the whole dispute is what taxi drivers call ' dumping competition '.
They argue that Uber and company, operating under less stringent regulations, can offer prices that are simply prohibitive for a traditional taxi.
It's a bit like an unequal boxing match, where one competitor has their hands tied by rigid tariffs and obligations, while the other can maneuver freely, subsidizing rides and lowering rates. The result? A race to the bottom, with drivers losing out the most.
Two worlds, two laws: Regulations that favor apps
The devil, as usual, is in the details – specifically, the regulations. A traditional taxi in Germany is almost a public service.
It has to operate 24/7, accept any ride (even the least profitable ones) and stick to the prices set by the city. An Uber driver? Although he has to have a license, he is not bound by the same fares.
What's more, there is a regulation called " Rückkehrpflicht ", which is the obligation to return to the base after each ride. In theory, a rental car driver (and formally an Uber driver) should politely return to the company's parking lot after a ride.
In practice? Well, practice varies, and taxi drivers claim that the rule is being broken en masse, and the cars from the app are cruising around the city like regular taxis, only without all the onerous duties.
Brutal economics: Costs up, wages down
Now, let's add some simple math to that. Fuel prices are skyrocketing, insurance premiums are rising, and state-regulated tariffs are failing to keep up with inflation. Business profitability is plummeting.
The pressure is so huge that even app drivers are starting to protest! The strike in Frankfurt in November 2024 showed something astonishing: Uber and Bolt drivers took to the streets because the pay from the platforms was so low that it was not enough to cover the minimum wage.
This is a signal that the entire business model based on low prices is starting to eat its own tail.
Main demands: Emergency list for the industry
In the face of these challenges, taxi drivers have formulated specific demands. This is not just a cry of frustration, but a deliberate strategy:
Introducing floor prices for Uber and co: This is an absolute priority. It's about preventing dumping and leveling the playing field.
Less bureaucracy: Especially when it comes to the cumbersome and expensive calibration of taxi meters.
Taxi as part of public transport: Formal recognition of the role of taxis in the mobility system, especially in rural areas and at night.
Law Enforcement: More effective enforcement of the aforementioned return to base obligation.
Transition Support: Government assistance in transitioning to an electric fleet.
Calendar of Rage: From Frankfurt to Nationwide Paralysis
The wave of protests, which is expected to culminate in July's "Nationaler Aktionstag Taxi", has been building for a long time.
At the end of 2024, drivers driving for apps went on strike in Frankfurt – this was the first clear signal that the problem affects everyone.
Then, in the spring of 2025, taxi drivers in Mainz, Wiesbaden and Munich took to the streets. The same demand was repeated everywhere: "Equal conditions for all!"
It is worth noting that these protests are taking place against the backdrop of nationwide transport unrest. Gigantic strikes on the railways and at airports, organised by powerful unions, have repeatedly paralysed the country.
Paradoxically, at such times the demand for taxis increased dramatically, which only highlighted their key role in the system.
Taxi drivers seem to be saying, "See? We are essential when all else fails. So why do you allow us to be destroyed on a daily basis?"
The government is listening, but what about the people? Surprising support for German taxi drivers
And here we come to one of the biggest surprises. What does an ordinary German, a passenger accustomed to cheap rides from apps, have to say about all this? It turns out that he is not a staunch supporter of Uber at all.
A representative survey from February 2025 produced shocking results: 60% of Germans support the introduction of minimum prices for transport services! Only 7% were against.
It seems that the numerous scandals related to driver exploitation, tax evasion and violation of workers' rights by digital platforms have done their job. People may like cheap rides, but they value honesty even more.
The government is not deaf either. Meetings with politicians are taking place, and most importantly, in January 2025, the Administrative Court in Leipzig issued a groundbreaking ruling: setting minimum prices for companies like Uber is legally permissible.
This has given taxi drivers a powerful weapon. The ball is now in the court of local authorities, who have the tools to restore order. The question is whether they will have the courage to use them.
Who Will Win This War? Scenarios for the Future
What will be the end of this battle? We can imagine several scenarios. Perhaps more and more cities, emboldened by the court's ruling and social pressure, will introduce minimum prices, which will lead to a leveling of the market.
This could mean the end of the era of ultra-cheap rides, but it would improve the situation for drivers and ensure the stability of services.
Or will the taxi industry itself have to undergo a profound transformation to survive? We can already see a drive to integrate with the public transport system and invest in e-mobility.
The key will be to find a model in which technological innovation will not be an enemy but a partner to German tradition.
One thing is certain: the outcome of this fight will define the future of urban transport throughout Germany.
This is no longer just a story about taxis . It is a fundamental question about what we want our cities to look like – whether they are to be a jungle where the strongest and smartest win, or a sustainable ecosystem where there is room for everyone, and fair competition and decent work are paramount.
The response in Germany will be closely watched across Europe.
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