EU massively strengthens transport network

The Enterprise Europe Network informs:

03.07.2025

The European Commission has approved almost €2.8 billion for 94 transport projects across the EU under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This significant investment aims to modernize Europe's transport networks, improve connectivity and contribute to the Green Deal and geopolitical resilience. German rail and road projects will also benefit from this funding.

• Upgrading rail infrastructure: The EU is investing 77% of total funding in the expansion and modernization of railroad lines, including projects such as Rail Baltica and high-speed lines. In addition, the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is being implemented for greater safety and cross-border compatibility.

• Reduction of environmental impact: Projects are being promoted that improve the environmental footprint of maritime and inland waterway transport, for example by equipping ports with shore power connections and modernizing icebreakers.

• Smarter and safer transport networks: The EU is supporting the development of secure parking along roads and the introduction of cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) to improve road safety and traffic flow, including in cities.

• Support for Ukraine: The EU is strengthening the Solidarity Corridors with Ukraine by improving rail links and border crossings and helping Ukraine to adapt its rail tracks to EU standards.

Next steps & background

The European Commission has approved the selection of 94 transport projects, which will now be transferred to the concrete preparation of financing agreements - completion is planned by October 2025. The projects were selected from 258 submissions in the last CEF call (CEF: Connecting Europe Facility). The overall "Connecting Europe" program has a budget of 25.8 billion euros for 2021-2027 - 95% of which has already been awarded.

Press release
CEF transport program for the period 2021-2027
Connecting Europe Facility

Source: European Commission