A new high-speed rail link between Madrid and Lisbon is set to become operational by 2030, coinciding with the year Spain and Portugal are scheduled to co-host the FIFA World Cup.
Currently, there is no direct train service between the two capitals, following the 2020 cancellation of the overnight ‘train-hotel’ by Spain’s state railway company, Renfe.
The upcoming route, which will slash travel time from more than ten hours to just three, has received approval from the European Commission.
‘We’re working on a plan to strengthen high-speed connections between major European capitals – and Madrid–Lisbon is one of our top priorities,’ said EU Commissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
Portugal views the new rail line as a vital component of its strategy to decarbonise transportation, anticipating a reduction in the number of flights between the cities.
At the same time, the Portuguese government is pushing ahead with plans to build a new airport in the Lisbon region, as part of broader efforts to enhance national and international connectivity.
Spain’s Transport Ministry recently disclosed that upgrades are underway along the Plasencia–Badajoz corridor in Extremadura. These upgrades include preparations for 300 km/h high-speed rail services, which are critical to the new link.
Portugal is also advancing its side of the project, with a new high-speed line between Évora and Elvas under construction. The missing cross-border link between Badajoz and Elvas is expected to be bridged once both nations complete their respective domestic upgrades, according to Rail Tech media.
The 100-kilometre stretch from Elvas to Évora will reduce travel time between Lisbon and Badajoz from three-and-a-half hours to under two.
This section is part of a broader Iberian high-speed network, which will also link Lisbon with Porto in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes – less than half the time of the current journey.
Spanish media outlet El Español reported that the Madrid–Lisbon route, via Badajoz, could be completed in six hours by 2027 and just three hours by 2030, once all phases are finished.
The introduction of high-speed trains between the two cities could sharply decrease reliance on the nearly 40 daily short-haul flights currently operating between them.
Officials from both countries have stressed their vision for the high-speed rail not only to expand travel choices, but also to ease air and road traffic at the border. With the new connection in place, demand for short flights is expected to drop, supporting efforts to lower carbon emissions.
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Commissioner @tzitzikostas held an Implementation Dialogue 💬 with industry stakeholders on high-speed rail.
— EU Transport (@Transport_EU) April 16, 2025
To make safe, clean & attractive high-speed 🚆rail connections a reality, we must reduce the time and cost needed to build infrastructure and standardise rail products. pic.twitter.com/dvJNOMYaj7
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