The Hungarian government announced on July 22, 2026, a national rail investment programme worth HF3,550 billion (€9.76 billion), scheduled for completion by 2035. The Gábor Baross Railway Development Plan was presented by Minister of Transport & Investment Dávid Vitézy and Prime Minister Péter Magyar at Budapest’s Rákospalota-Újpest station. The investment represents one of the largest in Hungary’s history and builds on a May 29, 2026, political agreement signed between Magyar and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, enabling EU funding contingent on reform commitments by August 31, 2026.
Fleet Renewal and New Train Procurement
The plan entails comprehensive fleet modernization for the national operator, MÁV
Személyszállítási Zrt, whose current rolling stock averages 43 years of age. The government will procure 35 double-deck electric multiple units (EMUs) for inter-city routes such as Budapest to Szombathely, Zalaegerszeg, and Körmend. Additionally, 42 EMUs are set to replace the vehicles on Budapest’s suburban H5, H6, and H7 HÉV rail lines. A total allocation of HF95 billion is earmarked for battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) and their associated charging infrastructure. These battery trains will operate on the Debrecen–Füzesabony, Sárbogárd–Szekszárd–Baja, and Hatvan–Salgótarján–Somoskőújfalu lines, including upgrades to support their deployment.
Rail Infrastructure Modernization
The development plan addresses pressing network reliability issues through targeted infrastructure upgrades. Reconstruction
efforts include Szolnok station and several stations near Lake Balaton. The ongoing signalling system overhaul on the Budapest–Beograd main line, provided by China Railway Signal & Communication, remains under commissioning. Full revenue service for this line is possible by September 2026 pending safety certification by TÜV. Upgrades will renew the H5 (21 km), H6 (40 km), and H7 (6.7 km) suburban rail lines by 2030, augmenting them for new rolling stock operation. The Budapest–Lajosmizse–Kecskemét suburban corridor will be modernized and electrified to enable through service without passenger transfers, while the Budapest–Veresegyház–Vác line will be renewed concurrently. The reconstruction of Rákospalota-Újpest
station includes new passenger overbridges.
Metro Expansion and Urban Rail Connectivity
The plan includes extending Budapest metro Line M3 by two stations, from Újpest-központ to Rákospalota-Újpest, targeted for completion by 2030. Capacity improvements on Budapest’s Southern Circle railway will reach a third construction stage, including a flyover at Ferencváros and a new passenger station at Népliget, linking to metro Line M3. The Déli pályaudvar terminus and the connecting tunnel to Kelenföld will be modernized to support double-deck trains. A new station on the Budapest–Miskolc main line at Hungária körút will provide interchange with tram Route 1, enhancing urban rail integration.
Tram-Train Projects and Regional Suburban Rail Development
Beyond Budapest, the Debrecen–Nyíregyháza main line
will be upgraded to allow operations at speeds up to 160 km/h, with the addition of two stations within Debrecen by 2030. Tram-train schemes are planned to extend Debrecen’s tram Route 1 over main line tracks and to connect Kazincbarcika and Tiszaújváros through Miskolc. The investment plan further includes developing dedicated suburban rail services for the cities of Győr and Eger, broadening regional railway access.
Governance, Funding and Passenger Benefits
The programme calls for establishing a national transport authority to oversee rail and coach operations. A digitalization agenda will modernize passenger information systems nationwide, while electrical substations will be upgraded to support the expanded electric
rolling stock. Financing is contingent on unlocking European Union funding tied to governance reforms, with the government approving the structure for delivery. Minister Vitézy emphasized that the programme is fully financed and represents a mandate for MÁV and the ministry through 2035.
The investments will improve passenger experience by introducing new double-deck and battery-electric trains, extending metro services, and modernizing suburban rail infrastructure to reduce disruptions. Interchange capabilities will increase with new stations linking tram and metro lines. These upgrades aim to enhance the reliability and quality of rail services across Hungary, supporting sustainable mobility objectives.
