The idea of a direct land connection between Europe and Africa has long captured the imagination, but engineering realities have repeatedly pushed it beyond reach. Now, advances in modern tunnelling technology are bringing that vision closer to feasibility, as Spain takes concrete steps toward a rail tunnel beneath the Strait of Gibraltar.
A recent study conducted by German engineering specialists on behalf of the Spanish government has confirmed that constructing a railway tunnel under the strait is technically possible using current technology. Following the findings, Spanish authorities have instructed experts to prepare a detailed project plan by the end of next year, to secure government approval as early as 2027.
A decades-old ambition regains momentum
The concept of a tunnel linking Spain and Morocco has circulated since the 1970s. Over the decades, it has resurfaced regularly in political debates and election campaigns, and has occasionally appeared in official government programmes. Despite this recurring interest, the project never progressed beyond conceptual discussions.
The latest study marks a shift from political aspiration to technical validation, giving new credibility to a project once considered impractical due to geological complexity and extreme depths.
Inspired by the Channel Tunnel model
Planners intend to replicate the basic structure of the Channel Tunnel that connects the United Kingdom and France beneath the English Channel. The Gibraltar project would consist of two parallel rail tunnels, each operating in a single direction to maximise safety and efficiency.
Rather than crossing at the narrowest point of the strait, the tunnel would run slightly to the west. The northern portal is planned at Punta Paloma in the Spanish province of Cádiz, while the southern exit would be located at Cape Malabata near Tangier in northern Morocco.
A deeper and longer underwater crossing
The proposed tunnel would have a total length of approximately 42 kilometres, with nearly 28 kilometres running beneath the seabed. At its deepest point, the tunnel would descend more than 470 metres below sea level, significantly deeper than the Channel Tunnel.
Despite its scale, estimates suggest that passenger and freight trains could complete the crossing in around 30 minutes, dramatically reducing travel times between the two continents and offering a new alternative to ferry and air transport.
Long timelines and major investment
If the project receives political approval, preparatory works on land could begin around 2030. The main construction phase is provisionally expected to take place between 2035 and 2040, although these dates remain subject to revision as planning progresses.
The estimated cost of the project is at least €15 billion. Spain is expected to contribute between €8.5 and €9 billion, with Morocco financing the remainder. The scale of investment reflects not only the engineering challenges involved, but also the strategic importance of creating a permanent rail link between Europe and Africa.
A potential shift in regional connectivity
Supporters argue that the tunnel could transform trade, tourism, and passenger mobility across the western Mediterranean, strengthening economic ties between the European Union and North Africa. Beyond transport, the project carries symbolic weight, representing a physical bridge between two continents long separated by geography.
Whether the tunnel ultimately moves from planning to reality will depend on political will, funding commitments, and continued technical confidence. For now, the project has moved closer than ever before to turning a long-held ambition into a tangible piece of infrastructure.
