Spain’s state rail operator Renfe has confirmed that it will *not* reinstate its pre-2024 “punctuality commitment”, even though the Sustainable Mobility Law coming into force on 1 January 2026 obliges it to do so. Speaking in Madrid on 29 December, Renfe president Álvaro Fernández Heredia said the company believes the clause is “unconstitutional” and would distort competition with private high-speed rivals Ouigo and Iryo. As a result, passengers arriving less than 60 minutes late on AVE or long-distance services will continue to receive no refund – contrary to the new statute, which mandates 50 % refunds for 15-minute delays and 100 % for delays over 30 minutes.
The standoff matters for global-mobility teams because Renfe’s AVE is the default Madrid–Barcelona corridor for business travellers and a key feeder to long-haul flights. Until mid-2024 Renfe’s industry-leading promise of compensation from just 15 minutes delay was a selling point versus air. Its withdrawal last year already triggered corporate-policy reviews; the fresh legal uncertainty adds another layer of risk when scheduling tight connections or same-day meetings.
While reassessing Spanish itineraries, mobility coordinators should also verify that employees’ travel documents are in order. VisaHQ’s dedicated Spain page (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) streamlines Schengen visa applications, offers up-to-date entry guidance and can expedite paperwork—freeing teams to focus on contingency planning around Renfe’s evolving compensation rules.
![Renfe Rejects New Law Forcing Punctuality Payouts Under One Hour – Compensation Uncertain from 1 January]()
Renfe argues that the law singles it out – private operators are not bound by the same compensation thresholds – and that reinstating rich payouts could cost €125 million annually, potentially forcing a 10 % fare hike and cuts on loss-making routes. The company has asked Spain’s State Attorney’s Office to seek constitutional clarification. The Ministry of Transport publicly supports Renfe’s position, creating a rare instance of government contradicting its own legislation.
For assignees and travel managers the practical impact is clear: from 1 January delays under an hour will *probably* go uncompensated, despite what the law says on paper. Mobility policies that rely on automatic refunds should be updated, and travellers with onward flights should build larger buffers or consider air competitors whose EU-mandated delay compensation is well-tested.
Legal experts predict months of appeals that could culminate in Spain’s Constitutional Court. If Renfe ultimately loses, it may face a wave of retroactive claims, similar to the class actions that followed EU261 misapplications in aviation. Until the dust settles, corporates should treat Renfe’s current T&Cs – 50 % refund after 60 minutes, 100 % after 90 – as the operative rule and budget extra journey time when punctuality is mission-critical.
The standoff matters for global-mobility teams because Renfe’s AVE is the default Madrid–Barcelona corridor for business travellers and a key feeder to long-haul flights. Until mid-2024 Renfe’s industry-leading promise of compensation from just 15 minutes delay was a selling point versus air. Its withdrawal last year already triggered corporate-policy reviews; the fresh legal uncertainty adds another layer of risk when scheduling tight connections or same-day meetings.
While reassessing Spanish itineraries, mobility coordinators should also verify that employees’ travel documents are in order. VisaHQ’s dedicated Spain page (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) streamlines Schengen visa applications, offers up-to-date entry guidance and can expedite paperwork—freeing teams to focus on contingency planning around Renfe’s evolving compensation rules.
Renfe argues that the law singles it out – private operators are not bound by the same compensation thresholds – and that reinstating rich payouts could cost €125 million annually, potentially forcing a 10 % fare hike and cuts on loss-making routes. The company has asked Spain’s State Attorney’s Office to seek constitutional clarification. The Ministry of Transport publicly supports Renfe’s position, creating a rare instance of government contradicting its own legislation.
For assignees and travel managers the practical impact is clear: from 1 January delays under an hour will *probably* go uncompensated, despite what the law says on paper. Mobility policies that rely on automatic refunds should be updated, and travellers with onward flights should build larger buffers or consider air competitors whose EU-mandated delay compensation is well-tested.
Legal experts predict months of appeals that could culminate in Spain’s Constitutional Court. If Renfe ultimately loses, it may face a wave of retroactive claims, similar to the class actions that followed EU261 misapplications in aviation. Until the dust settles, corporates should treat Renfe’s current T&Cs – 50 % refund after 60 minutes, 100 % after 90 – as the operative rule and budget extra journey time when punctuality is mission-critical.
