EU Rail Investment 2028-2034: CEF’s Impact on TEN-T, High-Speed Rail

“`html

Introduction

On July 16, 2025, the European Commission proposed the continuation of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) under the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, with a total CEF Transport budget of €45.7 billion. Ten European rail sector associations welcomed the proposal, emphasizing its importance for strengthening transport infrastructure, competitiveness, and defence across the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).

Key Provisions of the CEF Proposal

The European Commission’s proposal allocates a total of €45.7 billion to the CEF Transport. Of this, €30 billion will be allocated to CEF Transport without the military mobility component, which is €1 billion less than the current budget. Additionally, €15.7 billion is designated for military mobility, a significant increase from the existing framework’s €2 billion.

Importance of Rail Infrastructure

The rail sector associations highlighted that rail infrastructure and operations are crucial for both civil and military connectivity across Europe. Rail supports the effective functioning of the Single Market by linking regions, cities, and key economic areas. It also serves defence needs by ensuring the safe and efficient movement of personnel and equipment across borders. A resilient and interoperable transport network, as outlined in the TEN-T Regulation, is considered vital for Europe’s economic competitiveness and overall security.

Areas for Investment and Improvement

Despite advancements towards a Single European Railway Area, bottlenecks persist across the TEN-T network, particularly at international connections, urban nodes, and multimodal hubs. These areas require investment to allow seamless movement of passengers and freight, as well as to enhance Europe’s ability to respond to security needs. The Commission’s proposal ensures the future CEF will continue to fund infrastructure projects with a strong international and dual-use focus.

Call to Action for Policymakers

The rail sector associations, including AERRL, ALLRAIL, CER, CT4EU, EIM, ERFA, UIP, UITP, UIRR, and UNIFE, have urged EU Member States and Members of the European Parliament to maintain the CEF’s ambition and strengthen its financial capacity. They stressed the need for the timely completion of the TEN-T network, which is considered critical for Europe’s competitiveness, cohesion, and security. They also emphasized the importance of sufficient funding for European-wide interoperable systems, such as the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), and the development of efficient high-speed and multimodal networks.