Lisbon, Feb. 9, 2026 (Lusa) - The Government has authorised Portugal's passenger train operator, CP, to spend €584.28 million on the purchase of 12 high-speed trains and the modernisation of the Contumil workshops, in the city of Porto, according to a resolution published on Monday in the official government gazette.
Of this total investment, €539.28 million relates to the acquisition of 12 high-speed trains and the respective spare parts and special tools, with the remaining €45 million earmarked for the development of the workshop facilities and the modernisation of maintenance infrastructure.
The resolution of the Cabinet stipulates that CP - Comboios de Portugal may include in the tender documents for the acquisition of the new trains the option to purchase up to eight additional trains, which may only be exercised, however, "with the express authorisation of the sectoral and financial authorities, as well as obtaining the respective expenditure authorisation".
The new trains will be capable of travelling at 300 kilometres per hour and carrying 500 passengers per unit, with a delivery deadline of 48 months for the first train.
These investments are part of the first phase of the Rolling Stock Investment Plan for CP.
In a second phase, "in accordance with the evolution of national and international infrastructure," a second tender is expected to be launched for a second fleet dedicated to international transport, consisting of up to six trains, for a total fleet of 26 trains (national and international transport).
The costs of purchasing the 12 TGVs may not exceed €50.4 million per year in 2027, 2028 and 2029, increasing to €117.6 million in 2030 and €246.96 million in 2031, and setting a maximum of €23.52 million in 2032.
The costs of developing the workshop facilities or modernising the maintenance infrastructure may not exceed a total of €45 million, with a maximum of €22.5 million in 2029 and the same amount in 2030.
Under the terms of the Cabinet's resolution published today, these amounts set for each financial year may be increased by the balance calculated in the previous year.
The costs now approved "must be met, depending on their nature and eligibility, through the use of European funds, when compatible with the rules on liberalisation of the railway sector and State aid, or, alternatively, through market financing solutions".
At the end of the Cabinet meeting on 22 January, at which this investment was approved, the Ministry of Infrastructure announced that the Government had decided to accelerate the purchase of 153 trains (55 regional and 98 urban), with the last delivery being brought forward from 2033 to 2031.
An option to purchase a further 36 trains, under the contract for the acquisition of 117 trains from Alstom (making a total of 153 trains), was also authorised by the Government.
The additional investment will be €318 million and delivery of the first train is scheduled for 2029, with the deadline being brought forward by 17 months.
"This is the largest investment in the acquisition of trains ever made in Portugal, with the figure reaching over €1.6 billion - adding to the €746 million of the base contract for the 117 trains, the €318 million now approved for early delivery, as well as the €584 million for high-speed rail," read the statement released by the ministry at the time.
During the committee stage debate of the 2026 state budget, the Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, had already announced that CP would purchase around 200 trains in the coming years.
Miguel Pinto Luz stated that the Government was preparing the "legislative process for the purchase of trains for the future high-speed lines": "This is the largest purchase of trains ever in our country. In total, we are talking about around 200 new trains that will arrive at CP," he said at the time.
PD/AYLS // AYLS
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