Spain’s commuter and long-distance rail services began returning to normal on the afternoon of 9 February after the transport ministry struck a last-minute agreement with the main rail unions—SEMAF, CCOO and UGT—ending what was projected to be a three-day national stoppage. The deal, signed by Transport Minister Óscar Puente, commits the government to invest €1.8 billion in track and rolling-stock maintenance over the next five years and to create 3,650 new jobs at infrastructure manager Adif and operator Renfe.
The walk-out had paralysed more than 330 AVE high-speed and media-distancia services operated by Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo, stranding business travellers and commuters in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Minimum-service decrees kept only 40–45 percent of trains running during peak hours, forcing companies to switch to buses or virtual meetings. Cargo flows—including automotive components bound for factories in Zaragoza and Valladolid—were also disrupted.
While rail disruptions test patience, the last thing executives need is an unexpected paperwork snag. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) lets companies and individual travelers verify visa requirements for Spain or onward destinations, arrange courier submission, and receive status updates in real time—helping keep itineraries on track even when the trains aren’t.
![Nation-wide Rail Strike Called Off After Spanish Government Reaches €1.8 Billion Safety Deal with Unions]()
Under the accord, new safety committees will oversee infrastructure “hot spots,” and Adif will expand its inspection fleet by 300 vehicles. A separate convention guarantees €8.1 billion in funding for Adif Alta Velocidad from 2026–2030, ensuring the high-speed network’s expansion to Galicia and the Basque Y-axis stays on track.
For corporate mobility managers the immediate headache is over, but lessons remain. The strike revealed how exposed integrated supply chains are to single-country rail failures, particularly given Spain’s importance as an automotive and agrifood exporter. Contingency planning—routing via France or using combined rail-road options—should now be built into travel-risk policies.
Unions have pledged to monitor implementation and could resume action if hiring targets slip. Companies with large commuter populations should therefore keep employee-communication channels active and consider flexible-work arrangements on high-risk dates, especially during Easter-holiday peaks.
The walk-out had paralysed more than 330 AVE high-speed and media-distancia services operated by Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo, stranding business travellers and commuters in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Minimum-service decrees kept only 40–45 percent of trains running during peak hours, forcing companies to switch to buses or virtual meetings. Cargo flows—including automotive components bound for factories in Zaragoza and Valladolid—were also disrupted.
While rail disruptions test patience, the last thing executives need is an unexpected paperwork snag. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) lets companies and individual travelers verify visa requirements for Spain or onward destinations, arrange courier submission, and receive status updates in real time—helping keep itineraries on track even when the trains aren’t.
Under the accord, new safety committees will oversee infrastructure “hot spots,” and Adif will expand its inspection fleet by 300 vehicles. A separate convention guarantees €8.1 billion in funding for Adif Alta Velocidad from 2026–2030, ensuring the high-speed network’s expansion to Galicia and the Basque Y-axis stays on track.
For corporate mobility managers the immediate headache is over, but lessons remain. The strike revealed how exposed integrated supply chains are to single-country rail failures, particularly given Spain’s importance as an automotive and agrifood exporter. Contingency planning—routing via France or using combined rail-road options—should now be built into travel-risk policies.
Unions have pledged to monitor implementation and could resume action if hiring targets slip. Companies with large commuter populations should therefore keep employee-communication channels active and consider flexible-work arrangements on high-risk dates, especially during Easter-holiday peaks.
