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Rail transport policy

The EU and its member states are working together to develop a better connected, safe and sustainable railway network.

The EU has one of the densest railway networks in the world, however national railway systems across the EU vary.

The process of improving the compatibility of EU member states' national railway systems started in the 1990s with the end goal of developing an efficient and competitive EU-wide railway network – the single European railway area.

Rail policy is part of the EU’s transport policy which aims to achieve connected, sustainable, inclusive, safe and secure mobility across the EU.

Some figures about rail transport in the EU

5.1% of passenger mobility in the EU is provided by railways (2020, European Commission)

Only 0.4% of EU transport greenhouse gas emissions result from rail transport, making it an environmentally-friendly means of transport

Only 1.9% of the EU’s transport energy consumption can be attributed to rail transport

Rail policy explained

The expansion and harmonisation of the EU's rail sector has faced a number of challenges over the years, which have slowed down the process of EU integration in the sector. This is due to:

  • traditional fragmentation of the European railways due to complex stand-alone national systems
  • low efficiency, flexibility and reliability of the service, in particular for freight

These challenges have prevented further growth of the rail sector's share of Europe's mobility landscape, despite demand from consumers and the potential for rail transport to offer a climate-friendly solution.    

To strengthen EU rail policy, the EU has adopted in recent years four railway packages which aim to:

  • open the railway market to competition
  • increase the interoperability of national railway systems
  • define a framework for a single European railway area

The four legislative packages were adopted by the Council and the European Parliament between 2001 and 2016. They include common provisions on:

  • the liberalisation of the rail market
  • the licensing of railway undertakings and train driver certification
  • safety requirements
  • the creation of the European agency for railways and rail regulatory bodies in each member state
  • rail passenger rights

The fourth and last railway package, comprising six legislative acts and focusing on the final elements of opening the railway market and increasing its competitiveness, came into effect in 2021.

Single European railway area

The single European railway area is an EU-wide system of rail networks to allow the expansion of the rail sector based on competition, technical harmonisation and joint development of cross-border connections, by:

  • opening and restructuring the rail market
  • increasing competitiveness and creating a level playing field for rail companies
  • developing infrastructure to ensure interoperability
  • improving efficiency in infrastructure use and safety
  • ensuring fair prices for consumers

Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) 

In the wider context of the EU's transport policy, including rail transport, the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) aims to create a network of nine core corridors connecting railway lines with roads, inland waterways, maritime routes, ports and airports across the EU. The goals are to:

  • connect EU countries to facilitate the cross-border transport of people and supplies
  • contribute to territorial cohesion
  • ensure interconnectivity between modes of transport
  • support the transition towards sustainable transport

A revision of the TEN-T rules is currently underway. The Council and the Parliament reached a provisional deal on the revised TEN-T regulation in December 2023. 

Sustainable and smart mobility

As part of the European Green Deal, the European Commission presented its sustainable and smart mobility strategy in December 2020. The strategy outlines the EU's goals for the transport sector for the coming decades: making mobility green, smart and resilient. For the rail sector, the strategy calls for a doubling of high-speed rail by 2030 in the EU. 

In June 2021, the Council adopted conclusions on this topic. The Council welcomed the Commission’s strategy and subscribed to its ambitious vision for the transport sector and its contribution to sustainability over the coming years and decades.

In June 2021, the Council adopted conclusions on rail. EU ministers highlighted the need to further develop rail transport for both passengers and goods in the EU. They also stressed the importance of strengthening the resilience of rail in the face of a crisis and continuing to invest in the interoperability of national systems and improved connectivity.

Connecting Europe Facility

The EU's rail policy is supported by a number of financing programmes, including the Connecting Europe Facility which funds strategic investment projects in the areas of transport, digital and energy.

The regulation applies retroactively from 1 January 2021. The transport sector will receive the bulk of the funding (about €25 billion out of €33 billion), of which by far the largest share will be dedicated to rail.

European Year of Rail

2021 was designated by the EU as the European Year of Rail – an initiative to promote railway transport as a sustainable, innovative and safe solution for mobility in Europe.

In the context of the European Year of Rail, the Portuguese presidency of the Council and the General Secretariat of the Council organised an online conference about rail freight transport.

In July 2023, the Commission presented a proposal on new measures to better manage and coordinate European rail traffic. The proposal is currently under discussion in the Council.

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