Alstom's €1 Billion Deal: 153 New Trains and a Factory Coming to Portugal
French rail giant Alstom will supply 153 new trains to CP in the largest rolling stock deal in Portuguese history, and build a factory in Matosinhos creating 300 jobs.
In the largest train acquisition in Portuguese history, French rail giant Alstom has finalised a €1.03 billion contract with Comboios de Portugal (CP) to supply 153 Adessia Stream trains — and will build a brand-new manufacturing plant in Matosinhos, Porto, to deliver them.
The deal, originally signed in October 2025 for 117 trains, was expanded to include 36 additional units with an accelerated delivery schedule. The first trains are expected to enter service in 2029.
What Portugal Gets
The new fleet breaks down into two categories:
- 98 commuter trains for suburban networks in Lisbon, Porto, and Cascais — the backbone of daily commuting for hundreds of thousands of Portuguese workers
- 55 regional trains for inter-city routes, offering improved comfort, accessibility, and onboard connectivity
All 153 trains are being designed specifically for the Portuguese rail network, addressing long-standing complaints about ageing rolling stock, overcrowding, and unreliable service on key commuter lines.
A Factory in Matosinhos
Perhaps the most significant element of the deal is Alstom's commitment to build a new manufacturing facility in Matosinhos, in the Porto metropolitan area. The plant will cover more than 20,000 square metres and will be equipped with modern production technology.
Construction will be carried out in partnership with Portuguese civil works company DST, and the facility is expected to create close to 300 direct jobs — including engineering, technical, and skilled trades roles. Alstom has pledged that 15% of positions will be reserved for young unemployed people, long-term unemployed individuals, and other disadvantaged groups.
Beyond the Contract: Industrial Legacy
"This project supports CP's vision to deliver more reliable and accessible rail services for passengers while preparing the network for future demand," said David Torres, Alstom's Managing Director for Portugal. "This partnership will also deliver long-term impact by strengthening local capabilities, creating new employment opportunities and contributing to the sustainable development of Portugal's railway sector."
The factory represents a strategic bet on Portugal's ability to sustain a domestic rail manufacturing industry — a sector that could expand further as the country's high-speed rail ambitions take shape. With the Porto–Lisbon high-speed line targeting completion by 2032–2033 and a Lisbon–Madrid connection by 2034, demand for rolling stock and maintenance capacity will only grow.
Context: Portugal's Rail Renaissance
The Alstom deal is part of a broader wave of rail investment:
- The government this week approved preventive land-use measures to protect the high-speed rail corridor
- The second public-private partnership for the Porto–Lisbon line is under tender, valued at €1.6 billion
- Portugal and Spain have confirmed a high-speed Lisbon–Madrid link by 2034
For Portuguese commuters who have long endured delays, cancellations, and cramped carriages on ageing trains, the promise of 153 new units can't come soon enough. The question now is whether the ambitious 2029 delivery timeline holds — and whether the broader high-speed vision can survive the political and financial pressures that have derailed Portuguese rail projects before.
