Portugal and Spain refuse to change railway gauge to European standard

Portugal and Spain have decided not to convert their conventional railway networks to the European gauge of 1,435 millimeters. Instead, both countries will advocate for the maintenance of the Iberian gauge of 1,668 millimeters, according to Público.

Spain submitted a report to the European Commission, expressing its refusal to change the railway system. Portugal aligned with Spain's position, opting to keep new high-speed projects to the Iberian standard, thus avoiding the country's isolation in the railway network.

The two countries provided analyses to Brussels regarding the gauge migration, following the European Commission's request for member states with networks outside the European standard to present related plans.