The European Commission has announced a far-reaching transport initiative designed to reshape mobility on the continent — with a strong focus on high-speed rail expansion and sustainable fuels. The effort aims to build a more efficient, climate-friendly and better-connected Europe within the next two decades.
Rail is already the most sustainable mass transport option in the EU. Now, Brussels wants to make it the most competitive for medium-distance travel as well — and a clear alternative to short-haul flights.
Cutting journey times and connecting major cities
The Commission’s new High-Speed Rail Action Plan outlines a strategy to deliver a modern network capable of speeds above 200 km/h across the continent by 2040. Enhanced interoperability and shared technical standards would allow trains to operate seamlessly between countries — something not fully possible today.
Travel times between key hubs are expected to drop significantly. The Berlin–Copenhagen journey could be reduced from nearly seven hours to just four, while the Sofia–Athens route may be cut by over seven hours. Additional links are planned to tighten connections between capitals and major tourist regions, such as Paris–Lisbon via Madrid and improved rail corridors across the Baltic Sea region.
Four pillars driving the transformation
The Commission’s proposal centres on:
• Removing cross-border bottlenecks with stricter delivery deadlines by 2027
• A coordinated financing strategy involving member states, industry and investors
• Stronger competitiveness for rail operators through better booking systems, faster digitalisation and modern rolling stock markets
• Improved governance to ensure infrastructure managers collaborate effectively on long-distance routes
Beyond speeding up passenger journeys, the upgrades will free capacity on conventional lines — supporting freight movement, night trains and even military logistics.
A €345 billion investment in Europe’s future
To implement the planned TEN-T high-speed rail network by 2040, the Commission estimates a total investment requirement of around €345 billion. A more ambitious version, allowing speeds above 250 km/h on wider sections, could push total costs to over €546 billion by 2050.
Officials stress that the economic benefits would ripple across tourism, regional development and industrial competitiveness — supporting growth long after the infrastructure is built.
Sustainable fuels for aviation and maritime transport
Alongside the rail initiative, the Commission adopted a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP). Its goal is to accelerate funding for renewable and low-carbon fuels in aviation and shipping — two sectors where emissions remain high and alternatives are more complex.
This investment push complements the EU’s broader climate ambitions under the Green Deal and aims to secure Europe a stronger position in the global clean-technology race.
A connected, green and resilient Europe on the horizon
Brussels sees the combined reforms as key to strengthening Europe’s single market and enhancing mobility for both people and goods. While the scale is unprecedented, the Commission argues that delay would be far costlier — economically and environmentally.
If delivered on time, Europe’s transport system may look vastly different by the 2040s: faster, more integrated, more sustainable and better prepared for the challenges of the future.
