The European Commission has shared its concerns over the lack of rail infrastructure along the Costa del Sol.

It comes after a complaint filed by Andalucian lawyer Felix Cervantes highlighted the absence of a coastal railway and a high-speed train connection to Malaga Airport.

Cervantes argued that some of Spain’s largest towns remain without rail links despite their population, economic importance and tourism appeal.

Five municipalities on Malaga’s coastline – Marbella, Estepona, Mijas, Rincon de la Victoria and Velez-Malaga – all have populations above 50,000 but no railway service.

According to Cervantes, that means one in every three Spanish municipalities of that size without rail access is located in Malaga province.

EU keeps complaint open

The petition has now been accepted by the European Parliament, which has decided to keep the case open despite ongoing investment in the Mediterranean Corridor rail project.

In its response, the European Commission acknowledged the concerns raised and noted that the issue could have wider European significance.

Cervantes said the European Parliament believes there is an insufficient level of rail infrastructure along the Andalusian coast, particularly on the Costa del Sol, given its population, economic activity and tourism industry.

The lawyer said the case remains under active review and could eventually lead to further parliamentary scrutiny, requests for information from Spain or even visits by European officials if progress is not made.

Coastal rail line still missing

While Malaga is connected to the Mediterranean Corridor, critics argue the route largely bypasses the Costa del Sol.

Instead of following the Mediterranean coastline between Almeria and Algeciras, trains currently travel inland via Granada, Antequera and Bobadilla before reaching the Campo de Gibraltar.

The European Commission noted that Malaga already has the Cercanias Malaga-Fuengirola commuter rail line, but pointed out that it does not form part of the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).

For decades, business groups, local politicians and residents have campaigned for a coastal railway linking Malaga with Marbella, Estepona and eventually Algeciras, arguing it would reduce chronic traffic congestion on the A-7 and AP-7.

Questions over Malaga Airport’s rail connections

The petition also highlights the lack of a direct high-speed rail connection to Malaga Airport.

Under EU transport regulations approved in 2024, airports handling more than 12 million passengers annually are expected to be connected to high-speed rail networks as part of the bloc’s long-term sustainable transport strategy.

Malaga Airport comfortably exceeds that threshold.

The airport handled almost 27 million passengers last year and is preparing for a major expansion that could eventually increase capacity to 36 million passengers annually.

Despite this growth, there is currently no confirmed project to connect the airport directly to Spain’s AVE high-speed rail network.

Passengers can reach Malaga’s Maria Zambrano station via the existing Cercanias service, but high-speed trains terminate in the city centre and do not continue to the airport.

Pressure grows for rail investment

The debate comes as pressure mounts for improved transport infrastructure across the Costa del Sol, one of Europe’s busiest tourism destinations.

Supporters of the coastal railway argue that rail investment is becoming increasingly urgent as Malaga Airport expands, road congestion worsens and visitor numbers continue to break records.

While the EU’s deadline for airports to comply with wider TEN-T transport requirements stretches as far as 2050, the issue is likely to remain firmly on the political agenda in Malaga long before then.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.