Overview
- Brussels targets trains operating at 200 km/h or higher to connect major nodes and cut cross‑border journey times across Europe.
- A single European multimodal mobile ticket is planned from 2026 to allow purchases across multiple rail operators and transport modes in one transaction.
- Binding deadlines to clear cross‑border bottlenecks are proposed by 2027, alongside stronger EU‑level coordination of capacity, standards and authorizations.
- Illustrative travel times include Berlin–Copenhagen falling from seven to four hours, Sofia–Athens from 13h40 to six, and Madrid–Lisbon to about three hours, with new links such as Paris–Lisbon via Madrid.
- Independent estimates cited by the Commission put core implementation at roughly €345 billion, with a more ambitious scenario up to €546 billion and a potential €750 billion return, pending financing and member‑state cooperation.