High speed rail Belgrade to Niš – EBRD announced the provision of a loan up to EUR 500 million

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced the provision of a tranched sovereign loan of up to EUR 500 million to Serbia for the rehabilitation and upgrade of Belgrade – Nis railway line on the Corridor X.

EUR 2 billion is the estimated value of the project which is envisaged to be co-financed by European Investment Bank and the EU through the Western Balkans Investment Framework. In June 2022, the EIB announced the appraisal of the project with a proposed finance of EUR 1 billion.

The 228 km long route will enter modernisation and construction works which will ensure an increased speed of up to 200 km/h, enhancing quality of passenger and freight rail services. The completion of the entire project in 2026 will significantly reduce the travel time between Belgrade and Nis to one hour and 15 minutes.

Belgrade – Nis railway will ensure a fast connection towards Bulgaria through Dimitrovgrad and to North Macedonia through Presevo. North from Belgrade, the railway will provide an efficient connection towards Hungary through Novi Sad – Subotica – Szeged line.