Hungary revealed a national rail investment program worth HF3 550bn (€9.76bn) called the Gábor Baross Railway Development Plan on July 22, 2026. The plan aims for completion by 2035 and was announced at Budapest’s Rákospalota-Újpest main line station. It follows a political agreement on May 29, 2026, between Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and European Union President Ursula von der Leyen that paves the way for unlocking EU funding contingent on reforms.
Rolling stock procurement and fleet renewal
The plan prioritizes modernizing Hungary’s aging railway fleet, operated by MÁV Személyszállítási Zrt, whose vehicles average 43 years old. Procurement includes 35 double-deck electric multiple units (EMUs) for
inter-city services. In addition, 42 EMUs will replace existing trains on Budapest’s suburban rail lines H5 (21 km), H6 (40 km), and H7 (6.7 km). A separate HF95bn is allocated for battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) and charging infrastructure to operate on non-electrified lines including Debrecen – Füzesabony, Sárbogárd – Szekszárd – Baja, and Hatvan – Salgótarján – Somoskőújfalu.
Infrastructure modernization and station upgrades
The investment includes upgrading key infrastructure and stations. Szolnok station and several stations near Lake Balaton will be modernized. Rákospalota-Újpest station, currently in poor condition, is set for rebuilding with new overbridges, as it becomes the future northern terminus of Budapest Metro
Line M3. The third phase of capacity increase on Budapest’s Southern Circle railway will add a flyover at Ferencváros and a new passenger station at Népliget, providing an interchange with Metro Line M3. Déli pályaudvar terminus will be modernized, and the connecting tunnel to Kelenföld rebuilt to support double-deck trains. A new station will also be constructed on the Budapest – Miskolc main line to connect with tram route 1.
Metro extensions and suburban rail line renewals
Budapest’s Metro Line M3 will be extended by two stations from Újpest-központ to Rákospalota-Újpest, targeting completion by 2030. Upgrades on suburban rail lines H5, H6, and H7 aim to accommodate
new rolling stock by 2030. The Budapest – Lajosmizse – Kecskemét suburban line will be rebuilt and electrified to enable through trains without passenger transfers. The Budapest – Veresegyház – Vác line is also scheduled for renewal within the plan.
Battery traction trains, digitalization, and new transport authority
HF95bn is allocated to introduce battery-electric multiple units and necessary charging infrastructure for non-electrified routes. Additionally, the plan calls for the creation of a national transport authority responsible for rail and coach services. A digitalization program aimed at upgrading rail passenger information and electrical substations nationwide will be launched early under the initiative.
Signalling projects and tram-train expansions
The Budapest – Belgrade main line signalling
system, provided by China Railway Signal & Communication, is pending TÜV safety certification with an expected service start in September 2026. Outside Budapest, the Debrecen – Nyíregyháza main line will be upgraded by 2030 for speeds of up to 160 km/h, including the addition of two stations in Debrecen. Plans include tram-train schemes extending Debrecen’s tram route 1 and linking Kazincbarcika to Tiszaújváros via Miskolc. Dedicated suburban rail services will be developed for Győr and Eger under the program.
Financing, governance, and political context
The financing for the Gábor Baross Railway Development Plan has been approved by Hungary’s new government and depends on unlocking European
Union funding streams tied to governance reforms. This follows the April 2026 general election which resulted in a government change, with Prime Minister Péter Magyar succeeding Viktor Orbán. The plan is described by the Minister of Transport & Investment, Dávid Vitézy, as the largest railway development program announced in Hungary in six decades. It constitutes a fully financed work order for the Ministry of Transport & Investment and MÁV Személyszállítási Zrt to deliver by 2035.
