Spain to Double Its High-Speed Rail Network to 62 AVE Stations by 2030

From 33 to 62 Stations by 2030

Spain's AVE high-speed rail network is set to undergo its most ambitious expansion since the original Madrid–Seville line opened in 1992. By 31 December 2030, the network will grow from 33 to 62 stations, extending across 11 autonomous communities and 28 provinces — up from 8 communities and 19 provinces today. The total railway infrastructure involved spans over 5,400 kilometres.

The expansion is driven primarily by the EU's trans-European transport network (TEN-T) programme, which sets a hard 2030 deadline for member states to complete key strategic rail corridors.

Cities Gaining High-Speed Rail Access

Among the cities set to join the network for the first time:

• Bilbao, San Sebastián, Vitoria-Gasteiz — via the long-awaited Y Vasca Basque Country line
• Santander (Cantabria)
• Gijón and Avilés (Asturias)
• Pamplona (Navarra)
• Badajoz (Extremadura)
• Huelva (western Andalucía)
• Ferrol, Lugo, Ponferrada and Salamanca (Castilla y León / Galicia)
• Madrid-Barajas Airport

Investment: €3.1 Billion in Contracts in 2025 Alone

The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has already tendered more than €3.1 billion in rail contracts in 2025 alone under the Atlantic Corridor framework. The Burgos–Vitoria-Gasteiz line alone saw €790 million in construction contracts issued last year.

Regional Coverage Targets

By 2030, coverage targets by region include:

• Basque Country and Navarra: 100%
• Galicia: 99%
• Castilla y León: 94% (up from 84%)
• Extremadura: 92%

26.8 Million People Within an Hour of a Station

Currently, 20.7 million residents — around 56% of Spain's population — live within 30 minutes of an AVE station. Once the 2030 expansion is complete, 26.8 million people will be within one hour of a high-speed station, significantly changing how much of the country is connected to Spain's major cities and to the European rail network.

This article is based on reporting from Euro Weekly News, published May 9, 2026.