The European Commission has established key milestones and deadlines for completing the Rail Baltica cross-border railway project.
The decision was unanimously supported by all Member States and is aimed at integrating Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into the European railway network by 2030.
Using the European standard gauge, Rail Baltica will form a new north–south rail corridor in the Baltic region, linking it to the wider EU network. The project is intended to support regional passenger travel, freight transport, environmental objectives, and EU-NATO military mobility requirements.
European Coordinator Catherine Trautmann said:Rail Baltica will make it easier for people and goods to travel between the Baltic States and to the rest of the EU. The EU will grow together more closely, for leisure travel, for economic development, and for our common security. In the current geopolitical environment, building Rail Baltica is a necessity.
The European Commission’s decision specifies a phased construction approach. Subject to final agreement from Member States, the first phase is planned to deliver a single-track, electrified line from Tallinn to the Lithuania–Poland border by 2030. Completion of a full double-track network is expected to follow, depending on funding availability and further decisions, with a focus on connecting major transport hubs.
The Commission’s decision underlines the need for ongoing investment and timely decision-making to meet the established milestones and complete the project according to the outlined schedule.
The Implementing Decision is available in the EU Official Journal.
