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The completion of the EU’s core Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) by 2030 is now widely considered unattainable, following the publication of a new report by the European Court of Auditors. The findings confirm long-standing concerns within the transport and logistics sector about persistent delays, cost overruns and governance challenges affecting major cross-border infrastructure projects.

The auditors conclude that a significant number of flagship TEN-T projects are facing delays of up to a decade compared to their original planning timelines. Cost estimates have increased substantially, while permitting procedures, fragmented national decision-making and funding uncertainty continue to slow progress. Several major rail projects, including cross-border tunnels and corridor upgrades, are now expected to be completed well after 2030.

The European Commission has acknowledged the challenges identified by the auditors, while reiterating its commitment to completing the TEN-T network. The Commission has pointed to the revised TEN-T Regulation, adopted in 2024, which introduced new intermediate deadlines (2040 and 2050), strengthened corridor governance and reinforced the role of European Coordinators as tools to improve delivery and accountability.  The Commission has underlined that Member States remain primarily responsible for project implementation, including permitting, financing and construction. In this context, it has stressed the importance of faster national procedures, better cross-border coordination and more effective use of EU funding instruments.

Reacting to the report, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) warned against treating missed deadlines as inevitable. While acknowledging the scale and complexity of TEN-T projects, CER called on EU institutions and Member States to intensify efforts to accelerate delivery rather than lowering ambition.  CER emphasised the urgent need to simplify and shorten permitting procedures, improve regulatory predictability and ensure stable, long-term funding for rail infrastructure. According to the organisation, delays in TEN-T implementation risk undermining the competitiveness of European industry, the reliability of rail freight services and the EU’s broader climate and modal shift objectives.

For the logistics sector, continued delays in TEN-T completion mean prolonged bottlenecks on key corridors, limited capacity expansion and reduced resilience of European supply chains. In particular, rail freight connectivity and cross-border interoperability remain constrained, affecting the efficiency and attractiveness of sustainable transport solutions.