Madrid and Lisbon will be connected by a high-speed train in three hours

The high-speed train will reduce the journey between the capitals of the Iberian Peninsula to three hours. Spain and Portugal, the last EU countries without a direct high-speed connection, will create a new Atlantic corridor linking key regions: Extremadura, Toledo, Talavera de la Reina and the border areas.

First, in 2030 a conventional electrified line will enter service, making it possible to complete the route in five hours, and the full high-speed rail service will cut journey time to the long-awaited three hours. Work is being carried out in coordination in both countries: Portugal is building the Évora-Caia line, while Spain is upgrading tracks in Extremadura and the corridors to Madrid.

The project is supported by the Unión Europea and is included in the trans-European transport corridor network, and experts regard it as an example of effective, environmentally friendly rail links between European countries.