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EU guidelines on charges for the use of railway infrastructure

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09 May 2025

EU guidelines on charges for the use of railway infrastructure

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An illustrative photo of a passenger train pulling into a train station.

The European Commission has issued guidelines under Directive 2012/34/EU to assist EU countries in setting track access charges, which impact the viability of rail transport services and ticket prices.

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Publications Office of the European Union

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European Commission

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Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

EU-27

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

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Spain

Sweden

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Company with 250 or more employees

EU Institutions

Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce

International Organisations

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National authorities

Regional Authorities

SMEs (a company with less than 250 employees)

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  • Transition Pathway Strategic Areas

    • Cross-border travelling

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    • Rail Passenger transport

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On 7 May 2025, the European Commission adopted interpretative guidelines on the setting of charges for the use of railway infrastructure—commonly referred to as “track access charges”. These guidelines clarify the Commission’s interpretation of key elements within Directive 2012/34/EU, aiming to support national authorities and rail infrastructure managers in consistently applying the existing regulatory framework across the EU.

Track access charges represent a significant share of the total operational expenses for rail transport operators. They substantially influence the economic viability of rail transport services and the pricing of tickets, which in turn affects market entry, the provision of railway services, and the competitiveness of rail transport compared to other modes of transport.

To explore the guidelines in detail, please follow the attached link.

#Railway tourism #Mobility #Handbooks and guidelines 

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