The Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) has announced its recommendations regarding the railway charges proposed by ADIF and ADIF Alta Velocidad for the years 2026, 2027, and 2028. This marks the first time that the administrators have proposed charges for three years simultaneously, allowing for better planning by railway companies.

The CNMC's report maintains the existing charges for 2025 for the upcoming years but introduces a bonus for freight traffic on high-speed lines. It also anticipates increases in charges for 2028 on key corridors including Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Galicia, and Madrid-Levante, which will also apply to certain international services.

Among the adjustments requested, the CNMC emphasizes the need to reduce charges for variable gauge services in 2026 and 2027, as they exceed directly attributable costs. Additionally, it calls for a reduction in the surcharge for the Madrid-Málaga corridor, which does not meet the efficient operator test.

Furthermore, the CNMC seeks a temporary reduction in the surcharge for the Madrid-Barcelona line while speed limitations remain in effect, as these restrictions significantly increase travel time and impact market demand. The authority also urges a review of direct cost calculations for public service obligations to facilitate future competition.

To enhance predictability in the sector, the CNMC requests that ADIF and ADIF AV update and publish their Activity Programs, detailing network actions, capacity restrictions, and charge developments over the next five years. Lastly, it recommends expediting the approval of new agreements between the administrators and the Ministry of Transport for the period 2027-2031 to ensure the economic sustainability of ADIF Alta Velocidad.