Spain’s Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano, reiterated the government’s commitment to cross-border connections and the development of TEN-T through projects implemented on the Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors.
The statement was made at the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the European Union held in Brussels, where the financing of the European transport sector was discussed, which benefits from a budget of over EUR 50 billion for projects under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), double that of the previous period.
In this regard, the Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors are relevant for Spain, as they ensure connectivity with neighboring countries and the rest of the EU, and more than EUR 17 billion will be needed to achieve military mobility objectives, José Antonio Santano said.
Due to the connectivity offered by the two corridors, it is essential to complete them, as well as the other European corridors that will ensure the creation of unified European connectivity, especially in the Iberian Peninsula.
Madrid-Lisbon high-speed line
The development of the high-speed network, which also includes the lines that are part of the two corridors, is also extremely important for Spain, which has been investing in the high-speed network for over three decades. In addition, the official stated that Spain supports the new EU High-Speed Plan, which also mentions the Madrid-Lisbon line project, which is essential for the Iberian Peninsula, not only in terms of connectivity, but also in terms of encouraging modal shift and reducing emissions through the transition to rail transport.
On October 30, 2025, the European Commission adopted the plan for the implementation of the Madrid-Lisbon high-speed line as well as the deadlines for the completion of the project. The decision, adopted unanimously by the member states, will help Spain and Portugal to fully integrate into Europe’s high-speed network. As a result, the line is expected to be completed in 2030, when passengers will be able to use the transport services and travel between the two capitals in five hours. Once the project is fully completed in 2034, the travel time will be reduced to three hours.
This is because in 2030, sections of high-speed and mixed lines will be used.
In Portugal, the Évora–Caia high-speed line is included, which is part of the Southern International Corridor Évora–Elvas/Caia route (border with Spain) and is also part of the Sines–Elvas–Madrid–Paris freight rail axis. The project includes extensions to sections, including stations, the installation of ETCS Level 2, and electrification compatible with European standards to allow speeds of 250 km/h and the circulation of freight trains with a length of 750 m and a capacity of 1,400 tons. The project has received CEF funding of EUR 235 million. Traffic on the section upgraded to the standards required for high-speed trains will start next year. In addition, the installation of ERTMS between Évora and Elvas will be completed in 2027.
Also in Portugal, the Madrid-Lisbon high-speed line includes the modernization and doubling of the Poceirão-Bombel line, work on which will begin in 2026 and is expected to become operational in late 2029/early 2030. The line will be extended by a total of 30 km.
In Spain, the Madrid-Lisbon high-speed line is provided by the Extremadura-Madrid HSR corridor, which has received EUR 750 million in European funding over the last decade. In 2022, King Felipe VI of Spain inaugurated the first section of the Extremadura–Madrid HSR between Plasencia and Badajoz, with a length of 150 km, for which EUR 1.7 billion was invested. Plasencia–Talayuela (70 km) is the next section of the Extremadura–Madrid high-speed line, which is to be electrified.
The Extremadura–Madrid high-speed line is 437 km long and consists of three sections:
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- Plasencia–Cáceres–Badajoz (150 km of main line and 18 km of the Mérida bypass, which is operational and, after the implementation of ERTMS, will allow speeds of over 300 km/h; the ERTMS system will be put into operation next year);
- Talayuela–Plasencia, 70 km, currently under construction. Adif recently signed a EUR 157.5 million contract with the UTE consortium, formed by Hitachi Rail and Sistem, for the installation of signaling systems (including interlocking, telecommunications, and ERTMS Level 2). The section will become operational in 2028; and
Madrid–Oropesa, 200 km, which is currently in the planning stage.
According to the project plan, the installation of ETMS between Elvas (Portugal) and Badajoz (Spain) should be completed by the end of 2028. It should be noted that the line is part of the Atlantic corridor and has an investment plan of EUR 3.8 billion.
The line will be 600 km long Madrid–Lisbon will be 600 km long, and the two countries will have to ensure that all works and actions are implemented by the end of 2034 to provide direct services between the two capitals. This will reduce the journey time to three hours, two of which will be between Madrid and the border and one hour from the border to Lisbon.
Military mobility – strongly supported by Spain
Another element supported by Spain concerns the military mobility package, an initiative which, although based on defense requirements, also contributes directly to the modernization of civil infrastructure essential for transport, logistics, and connectivity throughout Europe. The Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors are the main arteries that will be able to support military mobility.
The Secretary of State pointed out that, in order for these dual-use infrastructures to be functional and efficient, additional funds need to be allocated from both national and European budgets, as the CEF funding currently proposed for the military component does not fully cover the real needs identified.
Investments in dual-use infrastructure are not only a strategic requirement for defense, but also an opportunity to accelerate the modernization of European transport networks, facilitating the transition to a more resilient and efficient system. By improving the capacity of transport corridors and adapting them to current standards, Member States can achieve significant economic and operational benefits, while strengthening security and fluidity of mobility across the continent.
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