The European Commission has announced an ambitious plan to transform high-speed rail across the EU, promising faster, smoother, and more connected journeys between major cities. The initiative is part of Europe’s broader goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 while boosting the continent’s economic competitiveness and transportation efficiency.
The strategy builds on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and sets a bold target: by 2040, high-speed rail across Europe should be twice as fast as it is today. That means journeys like Berlin to Copenhagen could drop from seven hours to four by 2030. By 2035, Sofia to Athens could take only six hours, and passengers will be able to ride from Paris to Lisbon through Madrid without changing trains.
European Commission | Travel times are indicative and based on publicly available timetable data extracted in April 2025.Four pillars for a faster Europe
The plan is organized around four main priorities that aim to modernise, harmonise, and expand high-speed rail across the continent.
1. Accelerating investment and building a unified network
The EU wants a truly interoperable high-speed system where trains can move freely between countries without technical or bureaucratic barriers. By 2027, binding timelines will be set to eliminate cross-border bottlenecks. Routes capable of exceeding 250 km/h will be explored where economically feasible.
A new EU financing strategy will arrive soon, combining public and private investment. A “High-Speed Rail Deal” is planned to formalize commitments among member states, industry, and financiers to ensure the network’s completion by 2040.
2. Making rail more attractive and competitive
To lower costs and improve access, the Commission plans to open the market to more operators. Future legislation will ban the scrapping of safe, usable trains and create a transparent second-hand market for rolling stock by 2027.
Cross-border ticketing will also get an overhaul. A proposal in 2026 will streamline booking systems so passengers can easily buy tickets for multi-operator trips and get consistent protections for delays or cancellations. Fair access to tracks and service facilities will also be guaranteed to new companies entering the market.
3. Driving innovation and technical harmony
A 2026 research call under the Europe’s Rail program will support the development of next-generation trains that can operate seamlessly across borders. The EU will also simplify train driver certification and deploy a harmonized European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) to improve safety and coordination.
4. Stronger EU-level coordination
Infrastructure managers will be legally required to work together to optimize long-distance rail capacity. The European Union Agency for Railways will gain new powers to eliminate redundant national rules and issue authorizations more efficiently. A public scoreboard will track progress and keep the plan accountable.
Beyond speed
The Commission says the project is not only about cutting travel times but also about easing congestion, boosting freight capacity, and improving regional and night train services. It will also support European security by enabling faster movement of military and civilian transport when needed.
“High-speed rail is not just about faster trips,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. “It is about uniting Europeans, strengthening our economy, and leading the global shift to sustainable transport. This plan turns ambition into action, connecting cities, reducing emissions, and bringing Europe closer together.”
Billions already invested
The new plan complements ongoing EU efforts to complete the Trans-European Transport Network. So far, the bloc has supported more than 800 rail infrastructure projects worth €34.4 billion, which represents nearly 70 percent of total investment under the Connecting Europe Facility.
The Commission’s announcement follows months of consultations with rail companies, passenger groups, investors, and civil society organizations. The next steps will focus on finalizing funding mechanisms and securing political agreement among member states.
If the plan succeeds, Europe could soon have a rail network where travel between capitals rivals air travel in both speed and convenience — and where trains, not planes, define the future of connected mobility on the continent.
