The Spanish rail network is facing one of its biggest tests in years: following the start of a three-day train drivers’ strike on Monday morning, hundreds of thousands of commuters and travellers are confronted with widespread cancellations, delays, and uncertainty. Despite several rounds of negotiations, unions and the government were unable to reach an agreement, resulting in extensive disruptions to passenger services and significant restrictions on freight transport.
Spain Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
What has happened?
The largest Spanish railway unions – including the Sindicato Español de Maquinistas Ferroviarios (Semaf), as well as CCOO, UGT, and other associations – have called a three-day strike running from 9 to 11 February 2026. The action comes amid ongoing demands for improved safety, better working conditions, and a comprehensive reform of railway infrastructure, following several serious accidents in recent months, including tragic incidents resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.
Negotiations with the Spanish Ministry of Transport, led by Óscar Puente, proved fruitless, leading to the continuation of the strike. Before the strikes began, the ministry had federally established minimum services (“servicios mínimos”) to ensure basic mobility – measures that have been met with strong criticism from the unions.
Massive impact on rail services
Renfe, the state operator, along with the private high-speed providers Ouigo and Iryo, have already cancelled over 330 trains on high-speed (AVE) and regional long-distance routes to manage the situation. Many other services are running only partially or with delays.
The situation by type of service:
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Alta Velocidad & Larga Distancia (High-speed & long-distance services)
Services have been heavily reduced, with significantly fewer trains running than originally scheduled. -
Media Distancia (Regional long-distance services)
Only around 65% of the usual regional trains are running, corresponding to approximately 1,277 of the 1,960 planned services – the remainder have been cancelled. -
Cercanías (commuter trains)
Around 75% of services are scheduled during peak hours, and approximately 50% outside these times. In autonomous regions such as Catalonia, adjusted minimum services apply, with even lower availability at certain times. -
Freight transport (goods transport)
Only around 21% of the usual freight services are operating – a significant blow to logistics across the entire economy.
Why are the railway workers on strike?
The unions justify their decision primarily with safety and infrastructure issues within the Spanish railway system. Following a series of serious accidents – including a high-speed collision in Adamuz (Córdoba) that left dozens dead, and a fatal incident on the Cercanías network in Gelida (Barcelona) – the situation has not improved, with a lack of investment, staff, and maintenance.
The unions are demanding, among other things:
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Increased staffing and improved maintenance of the rail infrastructure
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Stricter safety protocols on all routes
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Involvement of employees in reform plans and decision-making processes
Despite multiple talks with the Ministry of Transport, no binding agreement could be reached, which is why the strike is proceeding as planned.
Negotiations remain open despite the strike
Both the ministry and the unions emphasise that the negotiation channel remains open, and a breakthrough could occur at any time if substantial progress is made. If such an agreement is reached, the strike could be ended early or scaled back.
Concrete impacts on travellers and the economy
For commuters in major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, the strike means major disruptions: reduced commuter trains, crowded stations, and delays in daily routines. The Spanish government has previously highlighted that millions of people rely on rail transport every day – around 1.1 million just on Cercanías services, plus hundreds of thousands more on long-distance and regional routes.
Businesses are also affected: domestic logistics and freight trains face significant restrictions, which can put pressure on supply chains and production.
Tips for travellers during the strike week
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Check online before departure to see whether your train is running or has been cancelled.
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If your train is cancelled, take advantage of the option to rebook or receive a refund at no extra cost with Renfe, Ouigo, and Iryo.
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Consider alternative modes of transport, such as bus or plane, especially for long-distance travel.
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Allow extra travel time – especially during peak hours, the remaining trains are often heavily crowded.
A country caught between safety, mobility, and the need for reform
The current situation not only highlights how vulnerable the Spanish rail network is to internal conflicts, but also raises fundamental questions: How safe is rail transport? How are investments prioritised? And how can a balance be struck between efficient mobility and fair working conditions?
The coming days will be crucial – both for Spain’s mobility and for the future of its railway sector.
