It operates various subsidiaries, including Alex, Enno, Erixx, Die Länderbahn, Metronom, OberpfalzBahn, ODEG, VogtlandBahn, and WaldBahn.

[citation needed] In 2004, Arriva Deutschland acquired Prignitzer Eisenbahn (PEG), which operated several lines in Germany around Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Pomerania.

[5][6][7] Since 2012, PEG has mainly functioned as a holding company; among its assets are a 50 percent stake in Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn (ODEG), which operates regional passenger services on various lines in the Northeast of Germany.

Erixx is fully owned by OHE and likewise operating regional passenger train services, albeit on more local lines.

[13][14] For 2016, it was reported that DB's share of domestic regional passenger services had declined, largely due to the impact made by competing private companies such as Netinera.

[18] During April 2010, German state railway operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) submitted a takeover offer for Arriva Plc valued at £7.75 per share (£1.585 billion).

[27] During December 2020, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane purchased Cube's shareholding in the business, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.