Portugal Advances Lisbon–Porto HSR with Major EIB Support

Portugal has secured crucial funding to launch the Lisbon–Porto HSR, with an €875 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) backing the project’s first phase between Porto and Oiã. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This high-speed rail initiative will cut journey times between Lisbon and Porto from nearly three hours to just over one, serving up to 10 million passengers a year. It will also support the EU’s sustainable mobility and climate objectives.

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Lisbon–Porto HSR Project Secures Historic EU Investment

The €875 million loan is part of a larger €3 billion package approved under InvestEU, marking the largest single contract backed by the program. The funding supports the 71 km stretch from Porto to Oiã, included in Phase 1 of the Lisbon–Porto HSR.

The LusoLAV consortium, operating through Avan Norte – Gestão Da Ferrovia de Alta Velocidade, has received a 30-year concession to design, build, and maintain the section. The route will ultimately extend 143 km to Soure, connecting with the Northern Line and featuring new infrastructure such as a station in Vila Nova de Gaia and a Douro River bridge.

Lisbon–Porto HSR Aligns with Portugal’s Green Transport Strategy

Additional funding comes from several sources: €900 million from other institutions, €480 million via the Connecting Europe Facility, and €150 million from Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP). During the signing ceremony, the EIB and IP signed an Implementing Agreement to coordinate project delivery.

EIB President Nadia Calviño praised the project as a “real game changer,” while Minister Miguel Pinto Luz called it one of the country’s most important infrastructure efforts this century.

The Lisbon–Porto HSR supports the EIB’s 2024–2027 Strategic Roadmap and is a cornerstone of Portugal’s sustainable transport vision. By drastically reducing travel times and boosting rail capacity, the project enhances national connectivity and aligns with EU environmental goals.

This development reinforces Portugal’s role in the European high-speed rail network, signaling its long-term commitment to climate-resilient infrastructure and modern mobility.

Source, photo: railwaypro.com

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