320 trains cancelled as Spanish rail strike hits Renfe services in summer peak

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.

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-distance73

Medium-distance65

Commuter (peak hours)75

Commuter (off-peak)50

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

Data from the article text

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-distance98

Medium-distance222

High-speed & long-distance

98 trains

Medium-distance

222 trains

Data from the article text

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.