Progress on the Gibraltar Strait Railway Tunnel Project

The railway tunnel project under the Gibraltar Strait, aimed at connecting Morocco to Spain, is gaining new momentum in 2026. Once seen as ambitious yet distant, it is now advancing owing to intensified technical studies and increased funding.

This strategic construction aims to create a permanent rail link between Africa and Europe, thereby enhancing economic, commercial, and human exchanges between the two continents.

New Funding to Accelerate Studies

In March 2026, the Spanish government approved a new budget of €1.73 million to finance the technical studies for the project. This decision aligns with a revival marked by a significant increase in budgets allocated for the tunnel in recent years.

This financial mobilization reflects the commitment of both countries to advance a project regarded as one of the most significant engineering challenges in the Mediterranean region.

An Extraordinary Infrastructure

According to the scenarios currently under examination, the tunnel is expected to span approximately 65 kilometers, with nearly 40 kilometers on the Spanish side. The structure would include two railway tubes and a service gallery dedicated to safety and maintenance.

Certain sections may be located nearly 500 meters below sea level, making it one of the most complex underwater tunnels ever constructed. Once operational, the connection would allow travelers to reach Spain from Tangier in just 30 minutes.

The overall cost of the project is estimated at around €10 billion.

Crucial Geological Studies in 2026

The current phase is primarily focused on technical and geological investigations. Marine research campaigns are set to establish a three-dimensional mapping of the subsoil of the strait to better understand the geological constraints of the future route.

Concurrently, the teams responsible for the project are updating engineering studies to determine the most suitable solution from technical, economic, and environmental perspectives.

A Strategic Project for Morocco

Although the tunnel is not expected to be operational before the 2030 World Cup, the progress made reflects a genuine commitment to bring this project to fruition after several decades of studies and discussions.

For Morocco, this future link represents a major lever for economic and logistical development. It would further solidify its role as a strategic hub between Europe and Africa, contributing to smoother commercial exchanges and improved mobility between the two continents.

A Long-Term Vision

Beyond its technical dimension, the tunnel under the Gibraltar Strait symbolizes a new phase in Euro-African integration. By directly connecting the railway networks of both shores, it has the potential to sustainably transform transport, trade, and investment flows between the North and South of the Mediterranean.