Yes. Renfe train drivers are due to strike for 24 hours on Thursday 29 October 2026, from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm. As of 16 October, minimum services had not yet been set. As of 18 October, no list of running trains had been found. Check your train in the Renfe app. If you have not booked yet, choose a flexible ticket.
Checked on against the sources cited (EUR-Lex, Renfe, Spanish press).
Travelling in Spain on Thursday 29 October 2026? A 24-hour strike by Renfe train drivers has been announced for that day. The union Semaf announced its call on 16 October. As of 16 October, minimum services had not yet been set, and no list of running trains had been found when we checked on 18 October. This article separates what is confirmed from what is not, and sets out the rights that apply whatever happens to your train.
1. What is confirmed for Thursday 29 October
A 24-hour strike for all train drivers
Semaf has called a 24-hour strike of train drivers, from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm, covering all driving staff across the Renfe group. The call was announced on 16 October 2026, thirteen days before the walkout. The two press articles we read, Democrata and Euro Weekly News, give the same date and times.
What to remember
- The day is a Thursday. Euro Weekly News writes « Wednesday », which is an error.
- The announced scope covers Cercanías, Rodalies in Catalonia, Media Distancia, long distance and high speed (AVE, Avlo, Alvia according to the press).
- Semaf cites safety, hiring and maintenance agreements that remain blocked. Renfe says it has carried out what falls within the company’s remit, including 1,200 hires.
- Iryo is not affected by this call, according to Euro Weekly News.
If your train does not run, your day is not lost. A guided tour of Madrid needs neither a station nor a train: this one combines tapas, ham, olive oil and vermouth. The 29 October slot was open for booking when we checked on 18 October 2026, with no guarantee until the day itself.
2. Running trains: what we know and what we don’t
As of 16 October, minimum services had not yet been set, according to Euro Weekly News. No list of running trains had been found when we checked on 18 October for 29 October. In Spain, minimum services are mandatory during a strike on essential public services: the state sets the level, then Renfe publishes the list of affected trains, by train number. That list is often published a few days before a strike, sometimes the day before.
What remains unknown for now: the minimum-services level for 29 October, the fate of Cercanías and Rodalies (which may have different levels), and that of international trains, which none of the sources we read specifies. The February 2026 figures, with 73% of long-distance and high-speed services guaranteed according to the press at the time, serve as a benchmark, not a forecast.
If your journey goes through Catalonia
Rodalies are within the announced scope. Check your train on the Rodalies website or app, and follow the Catalan press on the day. Minimum-services levels can differ from those in central Spain, and the list published for Madrid does not apply to Barcelona.
Where and when to check your train
| Source | What you will find | When to check |
|---|---|---|
| Renfe website or app (avisos section) | Status of each train by number, once the list is published | 27 and 28 October, then the morning of 29 October |
| Regional press: 3Cat and Nació Digital (Catalonia), ABC, El País, Europa Press (Spain) | List and levels announced by the ministry and Renfe | 27 and 28 October |
| SNCF Connect, Trainline or your train operator | International trains and connections | Before you leave, then on the day |
| Customer service of your intermediary (ticket bought outside Renfe) | Refund or ticket change | As soon as your train is cancelled |
Source: Euro Weekly News, 16 October 2026 (minimum services not set on that date; no list of trains found, checked on 18 October 2026).
If your trip runs into January, our guide to the Cabalgata de Reyes 2027 covers train journeys between Madrid and Barcelona.
A strike can also be called off at the last minute. In February 2026, according to the Spanish press at the time, the majority unions suspended their action after an agreement with the ministry, while minority unions kept the stoppage. An announcement is therefore not a certainty until the day itself, in either direction.
3. Nearby dates not to mix up
29 October is not the only date to watch. Semaf has also called Ouigo drivers out on a 24-hour strike on Friday 30 October and Monday 2 November. The 2 November stoppage is a full day, not a partial stop as some summaries suggest. Other partial stoppages are announced for 6 and 9 November, then 4 and 8 December. Iryo is not affected by the 29 October call.
Two other dates may affect a November trip. The unions CCOO and UGT have called a 24-hour general strike on Wednesday 11 November 2026, over housing and wages. The sources we read do not specify the effect of this strike on trains. The Spanish general election is announced for Sunday 29 November 2026. It is not a strike, but a date to keep in mind for your travel.
| Date | Day | Operator or organisation | Type of stoppage | Status as of 18 October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 October | Thursday | Renfe (whole group) | 24-hour strike, 12:01 am to 11:59 pm | Called; minimum services not set |
| 30 October | Friday | Ouigo | 24-hour strike | Announced (Semaf) |
| 2 November | Monday | Ouigo | 24-hour strike, full day | Announced (Semaf) |
| 6 November | Friday | Ouigo | Partial stoppage | Announced, time slots to be confirmed |
| 9 November | Monday | Ouigo | Partial stoppage | Announced, time slots to be confirmed |
| 11 November | Wednesday | CCOO and UGT (general strike) | 24-hour strike | Announced (CCOO and UGT); effect on trains not specified by the sources we read |
| 29 November | Sunday | General election (not a strike) | Not applicable | Date announced, to be confirmed |
| 4 December | Friday | Ouigo | Partial stoppage | Announced |
| 8 December | Tuesday | Ouigo | Partial stoppage | Announced |
Source: Euro Weekly News, 12 October 2026 (Ouigo), checked on 18 October 2026.
4. Your rights: the European regulation and Renfe’s commitments
The text that applies is Regulation (EU) 2021/782 on rail passengers’ rights. It replaced Regulation 1371/2007, which an OCU article published in July 2026 still cites: do not rely on that number. The regulation states that its rights cannot be restricted by a contract clause (Article 7).
- Refund. If the train is cancelled, the OCU (Que.es, 1 July 2026) reminds readers that an unused ticket is refundable, including during a strike. The European regulation sets a 30-day deadline after your request (Article 18), and information on rerouting no later than 100 minutes after the scheduled departure time (Article 18).
- Delay compensation. 25% of the ticket price for a delay of 60 to 119 minutes, 50% from 120 minutes (Article 19).
- Meals and refreshments. Due from 60 minutes of delay or in case of cancellation. Accommodation can be limited to three nights (Article 20).
Renfe announces a more generous policy on its punctuality commitments page: 50% of the price from 60 minutes’ delay, paid in vouchers, for certain services (AVE, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity). That page is not dated and does not say whether these commitments apply during a strike. One source we read on the February 2026 precedent indicates that the most favourable commitments were suspended, with tickets bought after the suspension limited to the legal minimums. Renfe has not confirmed this in a statement. Whether it applies depends on your purchase date and your ticket conditions: check before you count on it.
For a cancellation, the OCU (Que.es, 1 July 2026) announces compensation of 50% of the ticket price in case of a sudden cancellation with a delay of more than 60 minutes. That figure comes from the OCU, not from the European regulation, and it should not be confused with the thresholds of Article 19 or with Renfe’s commitments.
Procedure. First send a written request to the operator, with proof that the train was cancelled and your ticket. Without a reply after one month, file a claim with the Junta Arbitral de Consumo, according to the OCU (Que.es, 1 July 2026).
| Situation | Regulation 2021/782 | Renfe commitment (undated page) | What to remember |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train cancelled | 30-day deadline after your refund request (Article 18); unused ticket refundable according to the OCU | Not specified on the page we read | Written request, then the Junta Arbitral after one month without reply (OCU) |
| Delay of 60 to 119 minutes | 25% of the ticket price (Article 19) | 50% in vouchers from 60 minutes, for certain services | Two schemes: the European minimum first |
| Delay of 120 minutes or more | 50% of the ticket price (Article 19) | Renfe scale, up to 100% beyond 90 minutes for certain services, in vouchers | The European minimum is 50% |
| Meals and refreshments | Due from 60 minutes’ delay or in case of cancellation (Article 20) | Not specified | Claim them from the first hour of delay |
Source: EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) 2021/782 (French text); Renfe, punctuality commitments (undated page), checked on 18 October 2026.
What other guides don’t tell you
The travel guides we read for this date are generic, and some get it wrong. Here are six verified or corrected points.
- The day is a Thursday. Euro Weekly News writes « Wednesday 29 October ». 29 October 2026 falls on a Thursday, by calendar calculation. Euro Weekly News, 16 October 2026 (checked on 18 October 2026).
- 24 hours of strike, thirteen days’ notice. The « 24 hours » is the length of the strike, not the notice period. The call was published on 16 October for a walkout on the 29th. Democrata (checked on 18 October 2026).
- The right regulation is 2021/782. A July 2026 article still cites the replaced Regulation 1371/2007. The text in force sets 25% and 50% for delays, in Article 19. EUR-Lex (checked on 18 October 2026).
- European thresholds are not Renfe’s. The European framework gives 25% for 60 to 119 minutes. Renfe announces 50% in vouchers from 60 minutes for certain services. Many guides mix the two. Renfe (checked on 18 October 2026).
- Ouigo on 2 November is a full day. Several summaries describe a partial stoppage. The call reported by Euro Weekly News on 12 October is a 24-hour strike, with Monday 2 November specified. Euro Weekly News (extract read on 18 October 2026).
- No list of guaranteed trains had been found as of 18 October. Guides that promise a percentage or a list for 29 October are ahead of the information available. Euro Weekly News, 16 October 2026 (checked on 18 October 2026).
6. Your backup plan if your train is cancelled
If your train is cancelled, three options are open to you: ask for a refund, change train or date, or postpone your trip. The sources we read give no bus, plane or carpooling price for 29 October. No amount is therefore given here: compare directly on the operators’ sites. For a day trip out of the capital, our guide to Segovia day trips from Madrid lists the options, but keep in mind that the Renfe train is affected by the strike.
| Option | Situation as of 18 October | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Iryo train | Not affected by Semaf’s call | Reconfirm on the day with the operator |
| Ouigo train | Strike on 30 October and 2 November | Avoid as a backup for these two dates |
| Long-distance bus | No data read for this date | Compare on the operator’s site |
| Plane | No data read for this date | Compare on the airline’s site |
| Flexible ticket | Recommended by the press for unbooked journeys | Compare its extra cost with the price of a lost ticket |
Source: Euro Weekly News, 12 and 16 October 2026; research carried out on 18 October 2026.
Three days of checks
- Tuesday 27 October: re-read your ticket, note your train number, its departure and arrival times, and check whether your booking can be changed.
- Wednesday 28 October: look for the list of running trains on the Renfe website or app, then in the regional press. Find the status of each train on your journey.
- Thursday 29 October, morning: check again just before you leave, and keep a backup plan ready.
Depending on your profile
If you have a connection between two Renfe trains, that is the most fragile point: if the first is cancelled, the second will not wait for you. Ask the operator for rerouting. The regulation provides that you are informed no later than 100 minutes after the scheduled departure time (Article 18).
If you are travelling as a family, keep receipts for any meals and accommodation. The regulation provides for these costs in case of delay or cancellation (Article 20), but each operator applies its own procedure for reimbursing them.
If your budget is tight, compare the extra cost of a flexible ticket with the risk of losing the price of a non-changeable ticket. For a journey already booked, a flexible ticket only helps if you need to change the date, not to avoid the strike.
Practical: stay reachable and protect your trip
An eSIM gives you mobile data as soon as you land, so you can check train status, timetables and Renfe messages without a local SIM card.
Plans vary by duration and data volume, see the siteSome travel insurance covers cancellation or delay costs. Check the covered reasons in the policy terms before you buy, and whether a strike is one of them.
Price depends on duration and coverFrequently asked questions about the Renfe strike on 29 October 2026
Is there a Renfe strike on 29 October 2026?
Yes. Semaf announced on 16 October a 24-hour strike of Renfe group train drivers, from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm, on Thursday 29 October 2026. It concerns the driving staff of all companies in the group, according to the call reported by Democrata and Euro Weekly News. A last-minute call-off remains possible, as in February 2026.
Which trains will run on 29 October?
Nobody can say for certain as of 18 October. As of 16 October, minimum services had not yet been set, according to Euro Weekly News. No list of running trains had been found as of 18 October. It is often published a few days before a strike, sometimes the day before. Check your train by its number on the Renfe website or app, from 27 October, then on the morning of departure.
Are international high-speed trains affected?
Not confirmed at this stage. None of the sources we read says whether international services, such as Barcelona-Paris, are affected by Semaf’s call. Check with SNCF Connect or your train operator before you leave, and keep your flexible ticket until the answer is clear.
Am I entitled to a refund if my train is cancelled?
Yes, if the train is actually cancelled. The OCU (Que.es, 1 July 2026) reminds readers that an unused ticket must be refunded in full, including during a strike. Regulation 2021/782 sets a 30-day deadline after your request (Article 18). Send your request in writing to the operator, with proof that the train was cancelled and your ticket. Without a reply after one month, file a claim with the Junta Arbitral de Consumo.
What compensation is due for a delay or cancellation?
For a delay, Regulation 2021/782 provides 25% of the ticket price for 60 to 119 minutes, and 50% from 120 minutes (Article 19). For a sudden cancellation with a delay of more than 60 minutes, the OCU (Que.es, 1 July 2026) announces 50% of the ticket price. Renfe announces vouchers worth 50% from 60 minutes for certain services; whether this applies depends on your purchase date and must be checked.
Do I need to cancel my ticket for 29 October?
No, not automatically. As long as the train is not cancelled, your ticket remains valid. If you have not booked yet, a flexible ticket avoids fees if you change the date. Do not request a refund before the train is actually cancelled.
Is Ouigo on strike too?
Yes, on other dates. Semaf has called Ouigo drivers to a 24-hour strike on Friday 30 October and Monday 2 November 2026, then to partial stoppages on 6 and 9 November, and 4 and 8 December. 29 October is not mentioned in this call. Check your Ouigo times anyway.
Is there a general strike in November?
Yes. The unions CCOO and UGT have called a 24-hour general strike on Wednesday 11 November 2026, over housing and wages. The sources we read do not specify the effect of this strike on trains. Watch for transport announcements a few days before that date.
Sources
- Democrata: announcement of Semaf’s 24-hour strike, 16 October 2026
- Euro Weekly News: scope announced and minimum services not set, 16 October 2026
- Euro Weekly News: Ouigo strike calendar, 12 October 2026
- Que.es: OCU article on cancellation and compensation, 1 July 2026
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2021/782, French text
- Renfe: punctuality commitments (undated page)
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. No list of running trains had been found as of that date.
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