European Sleeper

With a new route just announced in Italy, the Brussels/Amsterdam–Milan night train confirmed for 2026, and the to Paris–Berlin starting in March 2026, the company launches its latest sharefunding campaign from €280, enabling travellers, citizens, and organisations to take part in building Europe’s renewed night train infrastructure.

Since its start in 2023, European Sleeper has grown into one of Europe’s few independent international rail operators. More than 230,000 travellers have already boarded its Good Night Train between Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden and Prague, with over 750 trains operated in just two years. This rapid growth has been made possible not by traditional investors, but by a community of more than 4,000 supporters across Europe who believe in sustainable mobility and a more connected continent.

Sharefunding to accelerate a growing network
European Sleeper’s cooperative ownership model remains unique in the railway sector. Anyone who believes in affordable, comfortable, low-impact travel can become a co-owner.

The new sharefunding round aims to raise €1.3 million, followed by an additional €1.0 million later this year, supporting:

• Introduction of the Brussels/Amsterdam–Milan night train (June 2026)
The new north–south route will link major economic and cultural regions overnight, with efficient connections to London (via Brussels), Hamburg, Zürich, Geneva, Venice and Rome. Planned intermediate stops include Cologne, Bern, Brig, and Stresa on Lago Maggiore.
• Launch of the Paris–Berlin night train (March 2026)
Taking over the vital connection that ÖBB and SNCF will discontinue, European Sleeper will operate three weekly services, with ticket sales opening on 16 December 2025.
• Expansion of rolling stock and onboard comfort
New night train coaches and upgrades support a more reliable and comfortable experience across the network.
• Development of an in-house tour operator
Following the acquisition of GreenCityTrip, the cooperative will offer accessible holiday packages by night train, reaching new traveller groups.

A cooperative model reshaping European mobility
European Sleeper has demonstrated that community-powered rail can fill gaps left by traditional operators. As short-haul flights continue to dominate European travel, the cooperative shows how citizen-driven investment can help rebuild essential cross-border rail infrastructure.

“Starting a train company is no small feat, yet our community has already shown what is possible when thousands of people pull in the same direction,” says Chris Engelsman, Co-founder of European Sleeper. “This new sharefunding round allows us to strengthen our network, bring back key connections like Paris–Berlin, launch new ones such the Amsterdam – Brussels - Milan and build the night trains that Europe urgently needs.”
Investors from €140 become co-owners of the cooperative. Those investing €2,000 or more receive a 20% discount on European Sleeper train tickets.

A pivotal moment for European rail
With political momentum growing for low-carbon travel and new cross-border train services, European Sleeper’s community-financed model offers a realistic way to scale up international night trains where public funding or state railways fall short.
The new Paris–Berlin route, the north-south Milan connection, and ongoing plans for a future Barcelona service position the cooperative at the heart of Europe’s shift towards more sustainable mobility.

Political support for the European Sleeper’s new night train to Barcelona
European Sleeper welcomes Dutch political support for its planned new night train connection to Barcelona. The Dutch House of Representatives has adopted a motion that calls on the Dutch State Secretary to promptly make the necessary agreements to enable the launch of this new European Sleeper service.