The European Commission has adopted an implementing decision setting out key milestones and deadlines to complete the 600 km Madrid–Lisbon HSL connection.
Unanimously supported by Member States, the decision advances the full integration of Portugal and Spain into the European high-speed rail network. By 2030, passengers will be able to travel between the two capitals in about five hours, and by 2034, in just three hours.
“Covering slightly more than 600 km from Lisbon to Madrid in just three hours is a remarkable example of the high-speed rail connections we aim to achieve across Europe. Such links make train travel a genuinely attractive and sustainable alternative for city-to-city journeys,” the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said.
The European Commission has already supported establishing this high-speed rail connection. In Portugal, the new Evora – Elvas high-speed line received EUR 235 million from the Connecting Europe Facility. On the Spanish side, different EU investment funds, such as ERDF and RFF, have provided around EUR 750 million support since 2014 on the high-speed line connecting Extremadura – Madrid.
Spain and Portugal made every effort to align with the core network deadline of 2030, as substantiated by the significant advances made on the Évora – Merida and Merida – Plasencia sections. Spain is also committed to making every effort to finalise the new high-speed line section between Talayuela and Madrid by 2030. However, because of technical and financial constraints faced by Portugal, the high-speed rail connection between Lisbon and Madrid will not be finalised before the end of 2030. It should be fully concluded before the end of 2034.
Madrid–Lisbon high-speed rail is an important cross-border infrastructure project that will significantly enhance connectivity within the European Union.
“With the new high-speed rail line, people will soon be able to make that journey in about three hours. This project isn’t just about saving time; it’s about cutting emissions and making sustainable mobility a reality in Europe. Further, the new high-speed rail line between Madrid and Lisbon is a perfect example of good cross-border collaboration and underlines the European Commission’s ambition to strengthen connectivity across Europe,” François Bausch, European Coordinator for the Atlantic corridor said.
In November 2024, the ministers of transport from Portugal and Spain ratified the commitment to deliver the Madrid – Lisbon HSL by 2030.
The decision, announced on October 30, 2050, is part of a broader effort to accelerate the implementation of cross-border projects under the revised trans-European transport network (TEN-T) Regulation, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to seamless, sustainable, and secure transport. It also represents an important step forward in the EU’s vision to connect Europe through high-speed rail. In early November, the Commission will present its plan for a European high-speed network.
Share on:
