320 trains cancelled as Spanish rail strike hits Renfe services in summer peak
Spain's Renfe cancelled 320 high-speed, medium-distance and commuter trains on Monday as the Sindicato Ferroviario union began a 24-hour walkout, with a second strike set for 15 July.
Renfe services faced major disruption on Monday, 29 June 2026, after the Sindicato Ferroviario (SF) called a 24-hour strike. The walkout forced the cancellation of 320 trains, affecting high-speed AVE, long-distance, medium-distance and commuter lines right as summer holiday travel was accelerating.
Why the strike was called
The union accuses the state operator of a "premeditated abandonment" of Renfe Mercancías, the freight division, and opposes the planned 50% joint venture with Medway, a subsidiary of the MSC group. According to SF, agreements reached with the Ministry of Transport on 23 November 2023 and later in March 2025 are being ignored, resulting in a steady reduction of freight work.
These measures pose a serious threat to the Renfe workforce and create a climate of uncertainty over the consequences of the privatisation of Renfe Mercancías through a 50% joint venture with Medway, without any guarantees for staff.
The union also points to the external maintenance contract for 65 series 333.3 locomotives (work previously handled in-house by Renfe Ingeniería y Mantenimiento) and the announced permanent closure of the Miranda de Ebro rolling stock workshop as further grievances.
- Agreement reached with the Ministry of Transport to call off previous strikes.
- March 2025 pacts signed, later criticised by the union for reducing freight division workload.
- First 24-hour strike; 320 trains cancelled, minimum services enforced.
- Second 24-hour strike announced by the Sindicato Ferroviario.
Service impact and minimum requirements
The transport ministry set binding minimum service levels. Renfe kept 262 high-speed and long-distance trains running, delivering 73% of the usual schedule. On medium-distance routes, 420 of the planned 642 trains operated, meeting 65% of regular capacity. Commuter (Cercanías) services were halved outside peak hours, with 75% of trains maintained during the morning (06:00–09:00), midday (13:30–16:00) and evening (18:30–20:30) rush periods.
- High-speed & long-distance
- 73 % of planned trains
- Medium-distance
- 65 % of planned trains
- Commuter (peak hours)
- 75 % of planned trains
- Commuter (off-peak)
- 50 % of planned trains
In Catalonia and the Basque Country, where railway competences are devolved, the Generalitat and the Basque government set their own minimums. For Catalonia's Rodalies network, the Department of Enterprise and Labour fixed 66% of services at peak times and 33% for the rest of the day.
- High-speed & long-distance
- 98 trains
- Medium-distance
- 222 trains
What passengers can do
Renfe advised that travellers whose trains were cancelled can board the nearest available service, provided there are seats. Tickets can also be changed to another date or cancelled free of charge through the usual sales channels. The company stated early on Monday morning that commercial services were running "normally, without cancellations" and described strike participation as "very low, with only occasional disruptions".
What comes next
The 29 June stoppage is the first of two 24-hour strikes. A second walkout is already scheduled for 15 July, meaning the start of the summer season will continue to face labour-related interruptions unless negotiations resume.
