Hungary announced a HF3 550bn (€9.76bn) national railway investment programme named the Gábor Baross Railway Development Plan on July 22, 2026, at Budapest’s Rákospalota-Újpest station. The plan, set for delivery by 2035, follows a political accord between Prime Minister Péter Magyar and European Union President Ursula von der Leyen signed on May 29, 2026, which conditions EU funding on reforms by August 31, 2026.
Rolling stock renewal including double-deck and battery trains
The investment plan calls for the acquisition of 35 double-deck electric multiple units (EMUs) to serve inter-city routes, aiming to modernize Hungary’s rail fleet operated by MÁV Személyszállítási Zrt, where the current average vehicle age is
43 years. Additionally, 42 EMUs will be procured to replace units on suburban Budapest lines H5 (21 km), H6 (40 km), and H7 (6.7 km), with full fleet renewal targeted by 2030.
An allocation of HF95bn within the programme is dedicated to battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) and their charging infrastructure. These battery trains will be deployed on the Debrecen – Füzesabony, Sárbogárd – Szekszárd – Baja, and Hatvan – Salgótarján – Somoskőújfalu lines, including related infrastructure upgrades to support BEMU operations.
Infrastructure modernization and metro expansion
Infrastructure upgrades will focus on the Budapest – Lajosmizse – Kecskemét route including electrification and track reconstruction to enable
continuous train services without transfers. The Budapest – Veresegyház – Vác line will also be modernized along with the Rákospalota-Újpest station, which will be rebuilt as the northern terminus for the planned two-station extension of metro Line M3, scheduled for completion by 2030.
Major station reconstructions include Szolnok and several near Lake Balaton. The Budapest Southern Circle railway’s third expansion stage will add capacity including a railway flyover at Ferencváros yards and a new passenger station at Népliget, linking to metro Line M3. The Déli pályaudvar main line terminus and its tunnel to Kelenföld will be updated to accommodate double-deck
trains.
A new station at the Budapest – Miskolc line crossing Hungária körút will facilitate interchange with tram route 1.
Organizational reforms and digital upgrades
The plan includes the establishment of a national transport authority overseeing rail and coach services. A digitalisation programme will modernize passenger information systems nationwide. Electrical substation upgrades form part of the early priorities, aiming to address network reliability issues.
Budapest – Beograd main line signalling and regional projects
The signalling system supplied by China Railway Signal & Communication for the Budapest – Beograd main line remains under commissioning with TÜV conducting safety certification. Pending successful approval, revenue services could start as early as September 2026.
Additional regional projects include
upgrading the Debrecen – Nyíregyháza main line for 160 km/h operation and adding two new stations in Debrecen. Tram-train schemes are planned to extend Debrecen’s tram Route 1 north and south along mainline tracks, and a new tram-train line will connect Kazincbarcika to Tiszaújváros via Miskolc. Dedicated suburban rail services are also planned for Győr and Eger.
The Hungarian government has approved financing for the entire programme, with disbursement contingent on unlocking EU funds after required reforms and commitments due by August 31, 2026. Transport Minister Dávid Vitézy described the plan as an already financed tasking to the ministry and
national railway operator MÁV to execute through 2035.
