Spain’s second rail passenger liberalisation phase has been launched with Adif and Adif AV proposing a framework.
Madrid–Galicia, Madrid–Asturias/Cantabria, and Madrid–Cádiz/Huelva are the proposed corridors set to be opened to liberalisation, with operators invited to apply for access during 2026.
The communication has been issued in advance of the publication of the offer as part of an amendment to the Network Statement (NS) of Adif and Adif AV, scheduled for 2026, in order to allow operators to submit their observations. The publication in the NS will also be preceded by the corresponding report from the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC), as stipulated by the Railway Sector Act.
The amendment to the Network Statement will include, in addition to the framework capacity offer, the available time slots for train operations, the timetable, and the rules governing the development of the process.
Spain’s second rail passenger liberalisation phase consists of up to 72 new daily services with 32 paths per day for the Madrid–Galicia route, 24 for Madrid–Asturias/Cantabria, and 16 for the Madrid–Cádiz/Huelva line.
In this second framework capacity offer, railway undertakings are invited to enter into multi-annual framework agreements with Adif/Adif AV, with the aim of providing greater legal certainty to support investment and enable optimal timetable and operational planning.
The process, which will be overseen by the CNMC, is expected to conclude by the end of 2027 with the signing of the corresponding framework agreements.
Since the liberalisation of passenger rail services, there has been a notable increase in demand across the various corridors — particularly strong on those served by three operators.
While the first framework capacity offer benefited 15 provinces, the second phase will include 13 additional provinces reaching nearly 70% of the population.
The first capacity offer concluded in 2020 with the signing of three framework agreements with the passenger rail operators currently in service. The first rail passenger liberalisation phase covered the high-speed lines between Madrid and Barcelona, as well as the Madrid–Valencian Community and Madrid–Seville/Málaga.
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