Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2198 of 30 October 2025 on the implementation of the Lisbon-Madrid high-speed rail connection on the Atlantic European Transport Corridor in application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2025) 7130)

Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2198 · Decision · 6 articles

Data as of 2026-07-04 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗

Subject matter

Article 1

This Decision lays down the priorities, actions and their timetable for implementing the Lisbon-Madrid high-speed rail connection project, as well as related governance provisions.

Actions and timetable

Article 2

1. Portugal and Spain shall ensure the implementation of the following actions to enable, at the latest by the end of 2030, direct services for high-speed trains between Lisbon and Madrid with a travel time of about five hours – split approximately into three hours from Madrid to the border and two hours from the border to Lisbon: (a) the construction works on the second track in the conventional line section from Poceirão to Bombel shall start in the first half of 2026 and this section shall be put into service by the end of 2029; (b) the construction works on the new high-speed line between Évora and Caia shall be completed by the end of 2025 and this section shall be put into service by mid-2026; (c) the Plasencia-Talayuela high-speed line section shall be put into service by the end of 2028; (d) the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) shall be deployed between Évora and Elvas by the end of 2027; (e) the ERTMS shall be deployed between Badajoz and Plasencia by mid-2026, and between Plasencia and Talayuela by the end of 2028; (f) the ERTMS shall be concertedly deployed on the existing infrastructure between Elvas and Badajoz by the end of 2028; (g) the gradual construction and putting into service of the Talayuela-Madrid high-speed line section, integrated with the progressive electrification of the Talayuela-Humanes conventional line section as a necessary enabling measure, shall ensure that the Madrid-border travel time – without intermediate stops – may be below three hours by the end of 2030. 2. Portugal and Spain shall ensure the timely implementation of the following actions to enable, at the latest by the end of 2034, direct high-speed services between Lisbon and Madrid with a travel time of about three hours – split approximately into two hours from Madrid to the border and about one hour from the border to Lisbon: (a) The studies for the Lisbon-Évora new high-speed line section, including a new Tagus River crossing in Lisbon initiated in the second half of 2024, shall be concluded by the end of 2027. (b) On the basis of the results of the studies referred to in point (a), the construction of the following sections and the deployment and authorisation of ERTMS on each of them shall start on a date that ensures they will be completed and enter into service by 2034: (i) the Lisbon-Évora new high-speed line section, including the third bridge over Tagus River in Lisbon; (ii) the double track on the Évora-Caia high-speed line section, depending on confirmation of its justification. (c) The studies for the high-speed section between Caia and Badajoz shall be commissioned by AVEP EEIG. They shall be launched in the second semester of 2025 and concluded by the end of 2027. (d) On the basis of the results of the studies referred to in point (c), by the end of 2027 a decision shall be taken by Spain and Portugal on: (i) the opportunity to build the high-speed section between Caia and Badajoz and, if applicable, its construction timetable, with entry into service by 2034; (ii) and on the opportunity to build an international railway station. 3. With the overall objective of integrating the Lisbon-Madrid high-speed rail connection into the broader high-speed networks in Spain and France, which operate with the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm, Portugal and Spain shall undertake the following actions: (a) each develop a coordinated plan for deploying the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm on the high-speed line between Lisbon and Madrid by the end of 2027, in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1679; (b) coordinate and complete the track gauge migration between Lisbon and Madrid in accordance with the plan referred in point (a) and in conformity with Regulation (EU) 2024/1679. 4. All the actions set out in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall be reflected in the national investment plans of Spain and Portugal.

Governance

Article 3

1. The completion of the actions referred to in Article 2 shall be discussed at least once a year between the representatives of Portugal and Spain in a dedicated working group established in accordance with Article 53(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1679, at the invitation of the European Coordinator for the Atlantic European Transport Corridor. 2. Through the working group referred to in paragraph 1, Portugal and Spain shall share their plans regarding the construction phases and entry into service of the different line sections referred to in Article 2, including the deployment of ERTMS, and shall jointly analyse their impact on the operation of rail transport services on the infrastructure in question. 3. The European Coordinator for the Atlantic European Transport Corridor may convene meetings with the highest government representatives of both parties in the event of any risks that could potentially hinder the timely completion of any of the actions set out in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Article 2.

Reporting

Article 4

Portugal and Spain shall each present a report concerning their respective actions – at least once a year, and before the meetings referred to in Article 3(1) – to the Commission and the European Coordinator for the Atlantic European Transport Corridor. These reports shall present the progress in implementing the actions referred to in Article 2, including on the financial commitments made in the national budget plans, and shall indicate any significant delay encountered, specifying the causes and indicating the corrective measures taken. For this purpose, Member States may, when appropriate, use the content of the periodic status reports to be submitted under the Connecting Europe Facility grant agreements.

Repeal

Article 5

Implementing Decision C(2018) 2356 is repealed.

Addressees

Article 6

This Decision is addressed to the Portuguese Republic and the Kingdom of Spain.

Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.

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