Spain has surpassed France in high-speed rail network length, and Poland is catching up; both countries are now building the largest high-speed rail networks in Europe.

Error detected

The claim that Poland is currently 'catching up' to France in high-speed rail is misleading: Poland has essentially no operational high-speed lines (≥250 km/h), while France has around 2,700+ km. Poland's HSR plans are long-term, with the first major line not expected until ~2035.

The assertion that Poland is 'building one of the largest high-speed rail networks in Europe' overstates the current reality; Poland's HSR construction is still in early planning and design phases, while several other European countries have more advanced expansion projects already underway.

Omissions

• The MEP omits that Poland currently has almost no operational high-speed rail (250+ km/h), while France has approximately 2,734 km in service — so Poland is not 'catching up' in any meaningful operational sense, but rather has long-term construction plans.
• The claim that Spain and Poland are 'building the largest networks' ignores that France, Germany, Italy, and other EU countries also have substantial high-speed rail projects under construction or in advanced planning.
• Spain's HSR network length varies by source (3,400–4,000 km) depending on whether lines under construction or upgraded conventional lines are included; the MEP does not specify which metric is being used.
• Specific data for France's current HSR network length (post-2021) could not be sourced from an official primary source in the searches conducted; the comparison relies on secondary and academic sources.

Sources

• AcademicAsian Development Bank – Policy Considerations for National High-Speed Rail Network Development: Cases of SpainToday, Spain operates almost 4,000 km of HSR lines, 3,000 km of them with standard gauge, with some additional 300 km to be added by 2026.
• SecondarySENER Group – InsightsWith over 3,400 km (2100 mi) of high-speed rail tracks, Spain holds the distinction of having the largest high-speed rail network in Europe and the second-largest in the world, trailing only China.
• SecondaryRailway PROA 480 km high-speed rail line is due to be built in Poland by 2035. It will connect four of the country's five largest cities and also an airport to be built.
• SecondaryPort Polska – Integrated Railway Network PlanOf the total 4,700 km of new railway lines, around 2,700 km will be built to High-Speed Rail (HSR) standards, including: 480 km of the Y-shaped line connecting Warsaw, Łódź, Wrocław and Poznań.