EU Overhauls Railway Rules to Create a Faster, More Integrated Cross-Border Network

The European Union has launched one of the most significant reforms of its railway sector in decades. A new regulation on railway capacity management is designed to eliminate bottlenecks on cross-border routes, improve train punctuality and increase network capacity without the need to build new infrastructure. At the same time, Brussels is already facing resistance from some Member States, while experts warn that travelling across Europe on a single rail ticket will remain difficult even after the reforms.

On 10 June, the European Commission announced the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2026/1184 on the use of railway infrastructure capacity in the Single European Railway Area. The legislation replaces the current system, under which timetables are largely planned manually, once a year and primarily at national level. The new framework introduces multiannual planning, digital capacity management and continuous coordination between infrastructure managers across Member States. The first timetable developed under the new rules is expected to come into effect in December 2030.

The reform is particularly significant for international freight transport. According to the European Commission, around 50% of all rail freight traffic in the EU crosses at least one national border, yet the existing capacity allocation system does not provide sufficient coordination between countries. As a result, trains frequently experience delays at border crossings, while international routes operate less efficiently than domestic services. The new regulation aims to make better use of existing infrastructure, improve the punctuality of both passenger and freight services, and reduce bottlenecks along Europe's major transport corridors.

Industry estimates suggest that the new framework could increase the network's capacity by around 4%, equivalent to nearly 250 million additional train-kilometres, without requiring large-scale construction projects. To support the reform, the EU will also establish a new governance structure involving the European Network of Infrastructure Managers (Enim) and the European Railway Platform (ERP). These bodies will oversee long-term planning, coordinate cross-border operations, manage disruptions and monitor the overall performance of the European rail network.

However, the reforms have already sparked tensions between Brussels and individual Member States. In early July, the European Commission issued a formal warning to the Netherlands over its railway capacity allocation system. According to the Commission's preliminary assessment, the current model may breach EU Single Market rules by effectively giving preferential treatment to the state-owned operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) when infrastructure becomes congested. The Dutch government has been given two months to respond to the Commission's concerns. If the issues are not resolved, the case could ultimately be referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The dispute highlights the Commission's growing willingness to enforce common railway rules across the bloc.

At the same time, debate continues over the digital integration of Europe's railway market. The Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) argues that the Commission's proposed international rail ticketing rules are not ambitious enough to transform the passenger experience. While the proposals would improve access to ticketing data and strengthen competition between booking platforms, they stop short of creating a genuinely integrated European booking system. As a result, passengers would still need to use multiple services when planning complex cross-border journeys, while the long-standing issues of through-ticketing and harmonised compensation for delays remain unresolved.

Taken together, these initiatives signal a broader shift in EU transport policy. Whereas previous efforts focused primarily on financing new infrastructure, Brussels is now placing greater emphasis on making existing rail networks more efficient, digitalising capacity management and creating a truly integrated European railway area. The success of these reforms will play a crucial role in determining whether rail can become a genuine alternative to road and air transport across Europe over the coming decade.

Source: Centre on Regulation in Europe, Internation Railway Journal, The Voice of European Railways, Reuters, Railway Gazette International, European Commision