Europe’s extensive rail network, part of the TEN-T, aims for sustainable transport, though connectivity varies, especially in Iberia.
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Europe possesses the world’s largest railway network, with countries like Czechia, Belgium, and Germany having the highest network densities, and Spain ranking second in high-speed train lines, behind China. Despite Spain’s extensive network, its centralized organization limits connections between peripheral areas. Overall, the Trans-European Railway Network exceeds 200,000 kilometers and is part of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T), which aim to facilitate movement of people and goods across the EU and beyond. Promoting rail transport is a core EU strategy to reduce emissions and combat climate change, making it an efficient and sustainable mode of transport.
To create an integrated trans-European transport network, the European Parliament emphasized connections with road and maritime transport, and better links between rail and airports. The Trans-European Railway Network is not uniform; high-speed lines are well-developed in the center and south, but the east lags. New projects, like Rail Baltica, aim to connect the Baltic states and resolve issues caused by differing track gauges, which previously required passengers to change trains.
While Central Europe shows strong connectivity, the Iberian Peninsula’s rail network is noted for its limited connections both internationally and domestically. Currently, there is no direct train service between Madrid and Lisbon, though a high-speed link is planned for 2027. Historically, the difference in track gauge was cited as a reason for limited connectivity, but connections have since increased. Furthermore, the availability of overnight trains has significantly decreased in Spain since 2020.
