As Spain and Portugal prepare to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, important steps are being taken to strengthen the transportation infrastructure between the two countries. In this context, a new high-speed train line connecting the Spanish capital Madrid and the Portuguese capital Lisbon is aimed to be operational by 2030. This project will significantly shorten travel times between the two capitals while also contributing to the regional economy by offering an environmentally friendly transportation alternative.
Shorter Distances with High Speed Trains
In 2020, Spain’s state-owned railway company Renfe stopped operating its night train-hotel service, leaving Madrid and Lisbon without a direct train connection. But that’s changing now. With the official approval of the European Commission, the new high-speed rail line will reduce travel times from the current 10 hours to just three. As EU Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas noted, the project is an important part of the goal of strengthening high-speed connections between Europe’s major capitals. The Portuguese government sees these rail connections as crucial to decarbonising transport and reducing the heavy air traffic between the capitals.
Iberia High Speed Rail Network Expands
Portugal is taking the first steps in this ambitious project. The first section of a new 100km high-speed rail line, which will run from the country’s Elvas region on the Spanish border to the southern city of Evora, is set to enter service this year. It will cut the journey time between Lisbon and Badajoz in western Spain from three and a half hours to less than two. But this is just the beginning. The line will form a key part of a wider Iberian high-speed rail network that will connect Lisbon to Porto in around an hour and 1 minutes. According to Spanish news website El Espanol, the line is expected to connect Madrid and Lisbon via Badajoz in six hours by 15, and in three hours when the full route is complete in 2027. In the future, the coastal line could extend to Vigo, Santiago and A Coruña in northwestern Spain, while Madrid could be connected to Porto via Salamanca.
Technical Barriers and Solution Searches in Cross-Border Transportation
There are several reasons why there has not been a continuous train line between Spain and Portugal in the past. According to the news website La Información, Spain’s railway company Renfe needs to invest 15 million euros to adapt some of its vehicles to Portuguese infrastructure. In addition, infrastructural incompatibilities such as differences in electrical voltage and signaling systems need to be resolved in order for cross-border trains to operate smoothly. These technical issues are expected to be resolved by at least the end of 2025. However, the agreement reached by the prime ministers of Spain and Portugal in 2023 to improve the rail link between the two countries in line with the EU’s plan to liberalize European railways shows that there is a strong will to overcome these obstacles. MPs from Spain’s Left Alliance Party (SUMAR) have also expressed support for the rail link, which aims to promote sustainable travel and strengthen economic relations.
New Airport and Transport Network Strengthens Lisbon
Portugal is not only developing its railway network, but is also preparing to take an important step in air transportation. A new airport project is being implemented near the capital Lisbon, which is planned to be operational by 2034. This new transportation hub will replace the existing Humberto Delgado airport. However, during the transition period, the capacity of Humberto Delgado airport will be increased while the new airport is being built. The Portuguese tourism industry emphasizes that Humberto Delgado airport is currently operating at full capacity, and therefore the construction of a new airport is inevitable. In order to strengthen the connection of the new airport to the city center of Lisbon, the government also plans to build a third bridge over the Tagus River. This integrated transportation strategy will significantly strengthen both Portugal’s national and international connections and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
