After how many minutes of delay will you get your money back?

He January 1, 2026Renfe will have to return to recover the refund amounts for the delay of High Speed ​​and Long Distance trains. With the support of Congress, thanks to the votes in favor of the PP, Vox, Junts, ERC and PNV, this Senate amendment to the Sustainable Mobility Law has been approved with the objective of returning the previous punctuality commitment to the one approved on July 1, 2024, which reduced the financial amount to be refunded to passengers who suffered the greatest delays on their trains.

Entry into force, delay times and new compensation

Although the Ministry of Transportation is studying the legal formula to avoid the change, the provision has become law, which is why it dictates the following: “the Government will recover with effect from January 1, 2026 Renfe’s punctuality and refund commitments prior to the modifications produced in July 2024, once again guaranteeing compensation for 15 and 30 minutes late, 50 and 100% of the amount respectively, in high-speed and long-distance services”.

Until nowthe amount for delays, updated by the PSOE Government in July 2024, was a refund of 50% of the ticket price if the train was delayed for 60 minutes, and 100% for delays of more than 90 minutes.. This decision was made with the aim of “adapting to the liberalization of the railway market in Spain” and “adjusting” to Spanish and European legislation.

The fact that both Minister Óscar Puente and Renfe want to prevent this change is due to the fact that the Spanish operator thatIt would precisely be at a disadvantage compared to its high-speed competitors, Ouigo and Iryo.

How much money and what time do Ouigo and Iryo have stipulated?

For a few years now, Renfe has not been the only operator of High Speed ​​or Long Distance trains; the entry of Ouigo, of French origin, and Iryo, whose majority owner is the State of Italy, began a competitive revolution in Spanish transport. These two recent operators are based, therefore, on the European Regulation 1371/2007which sets out the rights and obligations of rail passengers in the EU.

Within this rule, compensation for delays is based on a refund of 50% of the ticket for delays of 60 minutes, and 100% after 90 minutes. Nevertheless, Ouigo has the exception that returns are made in a non-refundable purchase voucher.while Iryo, like Renfe after the modification, offers either a voucher or, in case of rejection, a financial refund in cash.

There remains, therefore, an open line of debate as to whether this new provision of law will only remain for Renfe or whether, in the early future, private operators will also be forced to adjust to this change. In addition, if Minister Puente will find the formula to prevent it.