Business Forum • 9 March, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Romania continues to lag significantly behind the European average regarding the modernisation of its rail infrastructure, with only 27.5% of its total network length consisting of two or more parallel tracks, according to recent data from Eurostat.
This figure sits well below the EU average of 40.8% recorded in 2024, a benchmark that has seen steady improvement from 31.8% in 1990.
The presence of multiple parallel tracks is considered a critical factor for operational efficiency, as it allows for safer, more flexible traffic management and reduces the systemic impact of disturbances. While the EU's total railway network length decreased by 8.7% since 1990 to 201,314 km, the focus has shifted toward quality and electrification. Currently, 57.6% of the EU network is electrified, compared to just 39.9% three decades ago.
Among EU countries, the highest railway network density is found in high-population areas with high freight volumes. Czechia leads with 123.2 m/km2, followed by Belgium at 118.7 m/km2 and Germany at 110 m/km2. Conversely, the lowest densities are recorded in Greece at 14 m/km2, Finland at 19.4 m/km2, and Sweden at 26.8 m/km2.
In terms of the European Train Control System (ETCS), an automated safety measure designed to eliminate collision risks through track-based or radio signals, Romania is among the least equipped nations. Alongside Germany, the country reports a deployment rate of only 3.2%.
In contrast, according to the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), Luxembourg is the only country fully equipped with ETCS at 100%, followed by Belgium at 90.3% and Denmark at 51.6%. Other countries trailing in safety implementation include Hungary at 1.6% and Croatia at 3.0%.