Refund On Renfe: 2026 – 15 Minute Late Train 50%, 30 Minute Late 100%

In a extremist determination that will shingle up Spain’s high-speed obstruction sector, nan Spanish Congress has approved a measurement that orders Renfe to reinstate generous hold compensation policies for AVE and long-distance trains starting January 1.

The move reverses a arguable 2024 betterment by Transport Minister Óscar Puente, which provoked debates connected rider rights, adjacent competition, and nan early of obstruction recreation successful Europe. As train punctuality complaints person risen successful 2025, nan news could mean millions much successful refunds for disappointment commuters and train users.

Congress approves Renfe punctuality reversal: Back to 15-minute refunds

The amendment, embedded successful nan Sustainable Mobility Law (Ley de Movilidad Sostenible), compels nan authorities to reconstruct Renfe’s pre-July 2024 punctuality commitments. Specifically, passengers connected AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed, and Intercity services will suffice for a 50 per cent summons refund aft conscionable 15 minutes of delay, and a afloat 100 per cent refund if nan train is 30 minutes late, a shocking opposition to nan existent thresholds of 60 and 90 minutes, respectively, and for illustration thing ever seen successful nan UK.

Introduced by nan Partido Popular (PP) successful nan Senate and ratified successful Congress connected November 13, 2025, nan alteration gathered support from an improbable conjugation of very differing governmental stances, including Vox, ERC, Junts, Podemos, and BNG, and overrode guidance from PSOE and Sumar.

Under nan aged rules, Renfe shelled retired €42 cardinal successful 2023 for delays, astir 4 times nan €12.5 cardinal projected nether Puente’s model, showing nan financial stakes successful this AVE compensation overhaul.

This development is successful statement pinch broader EU rider authorities directives but applies solely to Renfe, raising eyebrows complete marketplace equity successful Spain’s recently liberalised high-speed obstruction sector.

Óscar Puente’s response: Minister vows ineligible conflict against Renfe hold policy

Transport Minister Óscar Puente, known for his outspoken societal media presence, wasted nary clip successful challenging nan Congress’s directive. “A ver qué recorrido tiene” (We’ll spot what way it takes), Puente quipped upon leaving nan plenary session, questioning its real-world effect connected users.

Sources from nan Ministerio de Transportes bespeak nan ministry is already scouting “legal loopholes” via regulatory decrees to support existent thresholds, claiming that nan alteration creates an unfair handicap for nan state-owned usability against backstage rivals Ouigo and Iryo, who usage nan nonstop aforesaid lines – lines that successful 2025 person been plagued pinch method problems from stolen copper cabling and crumbling tunnels. The Minister’s chances of challenging nan determination do not look good, pinch PSOE polling little than ever and losing support from their conjugation partners. What does look apt is that backstage low-cost operators will yet beryllium bound by nan aforesaid rules, and Adif, nan state-owned obstruction statement operator, put nether moreover much budgetary unit to support nan infrastructure better.

Summer 2025 information paints a grim picture for Renfe: Of 12.5 cardinal AVE and long-distance passengers, only 3.56 per cent (444,000) received refunds contempt 25 per cent facing mean 20-minute delays. Restoring nan 15-minute norm could entitle a 4th of riders to compensation, boosting accountability but straining finances successful a assemblage already having immense problems pinch infrastructure woes.