EIB Funds €115M Upgrade for Barcelona Sants to Boost Rail and Urban Mobility

Barcelona Sants station is a key intermodal terminal in Spain and a central node in the TEN-T, connecting regional, national, and international rail services.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €115 million loan agreement with Adif Alta Velocidad (Adif AV) to fund a major infrastructure project aimed at transforming the Barcelona Sants railway station into a more spacious, efficient, and sustainable transport hub. This strategic investment will enable significant structural and technological improvements at one of Spain’s most important rail terminals, enhancing its role within the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) and advancing the European Union's climate and mobility goals.

Strategic Importance of Barcelona Sants

Barcelona Sants station is a key intermodal terminal in Spain and a central node in the TEN-T, connecting regional, national, and international rail services. As the volume of passengers continues to grow—especially on high-speed rail lines—Sants has faced increasing pressure to modernize its facilities. This new financing arrangement will help Adif AV respond proactively to evolving mobility demands.

The redevelopment project includes a complete reorganization of the station’s passenger building. This entails the construction of a new boarding hall dedicated to high-speed services, the expansion of the commuter train area toward the adjacent Països Catalans square, and the comprehensive redevelopment of that square in line with its original design. These changes are expected to increase the passenger terminal’s surface area by 30%.

Comprehensive Infrastructure Enhancements

The investments go beyond simply increasing space. The upgrades will include improvements in:

• Passenger Flow Management: With more boarding and waiting areas, congestion and bottlenecks will be reduced, particularly during peak travel times.

• Intermodal Connectivity: By streamlining connections between train platforms and metro, bus, and taxi services, the project aims to encourage smoother and faster transfers, fostering a more integrated urban mobility system.

• Safety and Comfort: Enhanced ventilation and better emergency evacuation protocols on platforms will raise safety standards, while improved telecommunications infrastructure—both fixed and mobile—will ensure seamless connectivity for travelers.

These enhancements will directly benefit all passengers using Adif’s services, particularly commuters and high-speed train users. The works will also revitalize the surrounding urban space, bringing new life to Països Catalans square and improving the integration between the station and the city.

Climate and Strategic Alignment

The Barcelona Sants project is firmly aligned with the EIB Group’s commitment to sustainable development and climate action. The modernization of rail infrastructure is one of the most effective ways to decarbonize transport in Europe, where rail already stands out as a low-emission alternative to air and road travel.

According to the EIB’s Strategic Roadmap for 2024–2027, at least 50% of annual financing will be dedicated to climate action and environmental sustainability. This loan is a direct reflection of that commitment, reinforcing the EIB’s role as the EU climate bank. Moreover, the funding supports the EIB's broader goal of promoting high-quality, accessible public transport that contributes to greener and more inclusive urban development.

A Longstanding Partnership

The EIB and Adif AV have maintained a robust partnership over several years, collaborating on a wide range of projects to expand, modernize, and improve the safety of Spain’s rail infrastructure. Notably, in January 2025, the EIB granted Adif AV a €350 million loan to support the enhancement of both conventional and high-speed rail infrastructure across the country.

This latest €115 million loan builds on that relationship and signals a continued joint commitment to fostering efficient, low-emission transportation in Spain. Together, the EIB and Adif AV are helping to shape the future of European mobility—one station at a time.