Regional accessibility is expected to vary, although several areas are forecast to achieve near-complete coverage. Photo credit: Alexandre Rotenberg/Shutterstock
Spain’s rail infrastructure manager, Adif, is planning a major expansion of the country’s high-speed rail network that would place an AVE station within a 30-minute drive of 90% of people living across western Spain by 2030. The proposal forms part of the Atlantic Corridor strategy overseen by Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. The corridor is one of the European Union’s priority transport routes and is intended to improve rail connections between northern, western and southern Spain, while also strengthening links with Portugal and France.
According to an accessibility study released by the ministry, the Atlantic Corridor currently includes 33 high-speed rail stations across eight autonomous communities and 19 provinces. By 2030, that number is expected to increase to 62 stations spread across 11 autonomous communities and 28 provinces. The plans focus largely on the western half of mainland Spain, covering regions including Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Navarra, Castilla and León, Extremadura, Madrid, parts of Castile-La Mancha and western areas of Andalucía.
Which towns and cities would be affected?
Several towns and cities that currently have limited or no direct access to Spain’s AVE network are expected to benefit from the expansion. Among the areas included in the long-term plans are Ferrol, Lugo, Ponferrada, Salamanca, Gijón, Avilés, Santander, Pamplona, Badajoz and Huelva. The project also includes future links connected to Madrid-Barajas Airport and the “Y Vasca” high-speed line in the Basque Country, which would connect Bilbao, San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz.
The ministry estimates that 20.7 million people will live within 30 minutes of a high-speed station by the end of the decade, representing around 56% of Spain’s population. Around one million residents are also expected to have access to more than one AVE station within the same travel time.
Access within half hour of a station is projected to rise even further. By 2030, approximately 26.8 million people are expected to live within less than an hour of the network, compared with 22.4 million in 2025. Regional accessibility is expected to vary, although several areas are forecast to achieve near-complete coverage. The Basque Country and Navarra are expected to reach full high-speed accessibility once planned works are completed. Galicia is projected to reach 99% coverage, while Castilla and León is forecast to rise from 84% to 94%.
Extremadura, which has historically had some of Spain’s weakest rail connections, is expected to reach 92% accessibility coverage under the plans.
Major infrastructure projects already under way
The expansion forms part of the European Union’s wider trans-European transport network programme, which has a completion deadline of December 31 2030. The Atlantic Corridor itself includes more than 5,400 kilometres of railway infrastructure alongside roads, ports, airports and freight terminals. Spain’s transport ministry said more than €3.1 billion worth of rail contracts linked to the corridor were tendered during 2025 alone.
One of the largest current projects is the future high-speed line between Burgos and Vitoria-Gasteiz. Contracts worth almost €790 million have already been offered for several construction sections this year. The ministry says the objective is not only to improve passenger transport but also to strengthen freight routes between Spain, Portugal and the rest of Europe.
What would this mean for residents in Spain?
For residents, the expansion could significantly reduce travel times between regional cities and major economic centres such as Madrid, Bilbao, Valladolid and Sevilla.
Areas that have traditionally relied on slower conventional rail services or long road journeys would gain faster access to employment, healthcare, universities and airports. Regions including Extremadura, inland Castilla and León and parts of Asturias are expected to see some of the largest improvements in accessibility.
The inclusion of additional stations could also encourage population growth in smaller cities by making commuting to larger urban centres more practical. Improved rail infrastructure may also reduce dependence on domestic flights and long-distance car travel, particularly on routes between Madrid and northern Spain.
How could tourism be affected?
The expansion is also expected to have an impact on tourism across western and northern Spain. Faster rail connections could make destinations such as Galicia’s Atlantic coast, the Basque Country, Asturias and inland Castile and León easier to reach for both domestic and international visitors. The planned station linked to Madrid-Barajas Airport would create quicker onward rail connections for travellers arriving from abroad, potentially reducing transfer times between flights and regional destinations.
Tourist areas that currently depend heavily on road access could also benefit from increased visitor numbers throughout the year rather than mainly during peak holiday seasons. While the plans remain dependent on construction schedules being completed on time, the programme represents one of the largest expansions of Spain’s AVE network since the high-speed rail system was first introduced.
