According to a Serbian economist, passenger services on the high-speed railway line between Belgrade and Budapest are scheduled to commence within the next one to two months, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced at a press conference on 16 July. Provided these new deadlines are met, the first trains could begin running in August or September. However, the Hungarian authorities have not yet announced an exact launch date.
In the coming days, Hungary’s Minister for Transport and Investment, David Vitézi, is due to visit Serbia. During talks with representatives of the Serbian government, the plan is to coordinate the operation of signalling systems and equipment ensuring traffic safety on the cross-border section.
The launch of passenger trains has already been postponed on several occasions. The main problem has been the certification of the European Train Control System (ETCS) installed on the Hungarian section of the line. Inspections carried out in the spring revealed faults that could have affected train safety at speeds of up to 160 km/h.
The reconstruction of the railway line has now been completed, and on 27 February 2026, freight services began on the Hungarian section. The first cross-border freight train travelled from Budapest via Kelebia and Subotica towards Novi Sad. Passenger services have been postponed until the signalling systems have been inspected and certified.
The Belgrade–Budapest high-speed motorway is one of the largest joint infrastructure projects involving Serbia, Hungary and China. Once fully operational, it is expected to significantly reduce journey times between the two capitals and strengthen Serbia’s transport links with Central Europe.