Spain’s busiest rail corridor is losing its last departures of the day—at least temporarily. Infrastructure manager Adif has asked operators Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo to cancel their final Madrid-Barcelona services so track-maintenance teams have more time for overnight inspections. The request, revealed by El País on 2 February 2026, follows a derailment near Adamuz (Córdoba) on 18 January and a cracked rail weld detected in Tarragona on 25 January, both of which triggered speed restrictions and cascading delays.
From today, Renfe has withdrawn three AVE frequencies (two northbound, one southbound) and is automatically re-accommodating ticket-holders on earlier trains configured in double length. Passengers can also reschedule or claim refunds at no cost. Iryo and Ouigo are implementing similar measures, updating schedules in their distribution systems and issuing travel alerts.
Adif maintains that Spain’s high-speed network remains safe but argues that a growing backlog of driver-reported incidents now requires longer nightly maintenance windows. Cutting the last trains—typically departing around 21:00—extends the track-closure period by roughly 90 minutes, giving engineers time to ultrasound welds, tighten fasteners and recalibrate signalling equipment.
![Late-night Madrid–Barcelona high-speed trains cut as Adif orders extra safety inspections]()
For international travellers who might need to adjust their itineraries at short notice, VisaHQ can simplify the paperwork side of the scramble. Whether you need to extend a Schengen stay, obtain a multi-entry visa for trips that now require an extra overnight, or simply verify that your passport still meets Spanish entry rules, the company’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) walks you through requirements in minutes and can even arrange courier pickup for urgent applications.
For corporate mobility planners, the change removes popular after-work departures used by consultants and day-trippers commuting between Spain’s two largest business hubs. Travellers with late meetings may need to shift to earlier trains or overnight stays, while logistics teams should double-check train-to-flight connections at both ends. The Ministry of Transport says the frequency reduction is “temporary” but has not provided an end-date; insiders suggest services will return once incident reports normalise and key welds are replaced.
The episode underscores a broader challenge: Spain’s liberalised high-speed market, now served by three competing brands, is placing unprecedented pressure on overnight maintenance windows. Adif is studying whether to introduce “quiet hours” as a permanent fixture in future timetables, a move that could affect late-evening and early-morning business-travel patterns nationwide.
From today, Renfe has withdrawn three AVE frequencies (two northbound, one southbound) and is automatically re-accommodating ticket-holders on earlier trains configured in double length. Passengers can also reschedule or claim refunds at no cost. Iryo and Ouigo are implementing similar measures, updating schedules in their distribution systems and issuing travel alerts.
Adif maintains that Spain’s high-speed network remains safe but argues that a growing backlog of driver-reported incidents now requires longer nightly maintenance windows. Cutting the last trains—typically departing around 21:00—extends the track-closure period by roughly 90 minutes, giving engineers time to ultrasound welds, tighten fasteners and recalibrate signalling equipment.
For international travellers who might need to adjust their itineraries at short notice, VisaHQ can simplify the paperwork side of the scramble. Whether you need to extend a Schengen stay, obtain a multi-entry visa for trips that now require an extra overnight, or simply verify that your passport still meets Spanish entry rules, the company’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) walks you through requirements in minutes and can even arrange courier pickup for urgent applications.
For corporate mobility planners, the change removes popular after-work departures used by consultants and day-trippers commuting between Spain’s two largest business hubs. Travellers with late meetings may need to shift to earlier trains or overnight stays, while logistics teams should double-check train-to-flight connections at both ends. The Ministry of Transport says the frequency reduction is “temporary” but has not provided an end-date; insiders suggest services will return once incident reports normalise and key welds are replaced.
The episode underscores a broader challenge: Spain’s liberalised high-speed market, now served by three competing brands, is placing unprecedented pressure on overnight maintenance windows. Adif is studying whether to introduce “quiet hours” as a permanent fixture in future timetables, a move that could affect late-evening and early-morning business-travel patterns nationwide.
