Spanish Congress approves the Mobility Law: short flight ban, push for electric vehicles, and new obligations for companies

Yesterday, after a tense vote, the Spanish Congress of Deputies approved the Sustainable Mobility Law, a key reform discussed since 2022 and required to unlock €10 billion in EU funds. The law introduces major changes to the country's transport system.

Aviation and rail

Short domestic flights are now banned on routes where a train alternative of less than 2.5 hours exists. However, this rule does not apply to flights connecting to international hubs in Madrid and Barcelona, which significantly limits its real impact. The law also calls for studying the revival of night trains and promoting the shift of freight transport from road to rail.

Buses and electric vehicles

The government will revise the map of intercity bus routes. To speed up travel and reduce ticket prices, the least profitable stops will be removed from national routes and handed over to regional authorities — a move criticized by the opposition. In addition, the law requires the installation of a sufficient number of fast and ultra-fast charging stations for electric vehicles along highways and at service stations, to encourage EV adoption.

New rules for companies

Companies with more than 200 employees will be required to develop and offer their staff sustainable mobility plans. These plans must include measures such as promoting public transport, cycling, car sharing, installing EV charging points, and providing teleworking options. Businesses will have 24 months to comply.

Political deal on Barcelona airport

To secure the law’s passage, a last-minute deal was reached with the Podemos party to toughen environmental requirements for the expansion project of El Prat Airport in Barcelona. Podemos claims this will delay the start of construction until at least 2031. However, Transport Minister Óscar Puente insists the project timeline remains unchanged.

Additional note

According to the latest research, Spain already has more than 52,000 public charging points, making it one of Europe’s leaders in charging infrastructure development.