Spain is preparing a major upgrade to its high-speed rail line between Madrid and Barcelona, aiming to allow trains to reach 350 km/h — a speed currently achieved only in China. The announcement was made by Transport Minister Óscar Puente during an event in Madrid.
If implemented, the project would reduce travel time on one of Europe’s busiest routes from almost three hours to under two, benefiting nearly 15 million passengers who use the corridor each year.
What the Upgrade Will Include
A €2.3 million tender for feasibility studies will open tomorrow. Proposed improvements include:
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enhancing access routes to stations in both cities
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adding new track sections to increase route flexibility
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avoiding bottlenecks in heavily congested areas
Spain’s Ministry of Transport also revealed a newly developed train design by state infrastructure operator Adif. The improved aerodynamics and increased clearance from track gravel may help trains safely reach the target speed of 350 km/h.
Europe’s High-Speed Rail Leader
Spain remains the EU’s top country for high-speed rail. According to the European Commission, in 2023 Spain had 3,190 km of high-speed lines — the largest share in Europe.
With new additions in Galicia and Murcia, the total network reached 4,091 km in 2024.
Passenger numbers are also rising: high-speed ridership increased from 32.4 million in 2019 to 46.7 million in 2024, fully recovering after the pandemic.
When the New Speeds Could Become Reality
According to Minister Puente, the upgrade is expected to take around three years once construction begins. The duration of the initial feasibility studies has not yet been disclosed.