A major program to develop high-speed railways is launching across Europe, promising to transform travel for millions. The European Commission has approved a new plan that will see a direct connection between Madrid and Lisbon by 2035, cutting the journey time to just three hours. The trip from the Spanish capital to Paris will also become much faster—six hours instead of the current ten.
The new routes will pass through País Vasco (the Basque Country), making travel between major cities faster and boosting the appeal of rail over air travel. EU officials hope these changes will reduce pressure on airports and lower carbon emissions.
However, even though Spain boasts one of the most advanced high-speed rail networks, the bulk of investments will focus on Central and Eastern Europe. These regions still lack modern rail lines, and the EU aims to address this imbalance. In Spain, aside from the Madrid-Lisbon and Paris lines, Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors are also planned, but for now they’re not on the priority list for the next few years.
Funding and industry challenges
Achieving these ambitious goals will require enormous funding. According to the European Commission, completing the entire network by 2040 will cost €345 billion, and if train speeds are increased to 250 km/h and above, the figure will rise to €546 billion by 2050. Such investments are expected to deliver not only economic returns, but also significant social benefits, including the creation of new jobs and regional development.
At the same time, the European rail industry faces serious challenges. Production capacity cannot keep up with rising demand: a new train currently takes four to six years to deliver. Amid increasing competition from Asian manufacturers, the European Union intends to protect its strategic interests by tightening rules for foreign companies participating in tenders for construction and equipment supply.
Airport integration and new standards
A key part of the program will be integrating major airports with the rail network. By 2030, all EU airports serving more than 12 million passengers a year must have a direct connection to long-distance trains. In Spain, this will apply to the airports of Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, Alicante, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife. This step will allow passengers to reach their destinations faster and more conveniently, and will also reduce the load on domestic air routes.
To attract investment, the European Commission plans to develop a dedicated funding strategy and establish partnerships with private investors, as well as with the European Investment Bank and national financial institutions. By 2026, a pan-European agreement is expected to be signed, which will formalize the commitments of all parties to the development of high-speed railways.
In the coming years, Spain is set to enter a new era of rail travel. By the middle of the next decade, journeys between the country’s biggest cities and across Europe will not only be faster, but also more comfortable, making the railway a true alternative to flying.
