Nordic Capitals Railway – A More United North, a Stronger Europe

A recent report “Nordic Capitals Railway – A More United North, a Stronger Europe” presents a vision for a high-speed rail connection that would link Helsinki, Stockholm, and Oslo.

The report highlights theNordic Capitals Railway as a strategic growth enabler for Northern Europe and a key initiative for strengthening the European integration.

“A fixed transport link from Helsinki to Stockholm via Turku and Åland would fundamentally transform Finland’s geopolitical position and represent a tremendous opportunity for Finland’s economy and connectivity” says Piia Elo, Mayor of Turku.

Strategic growth and innovation potential for Finland

The Nordic Capitals Railway would connect the metropolitan regions of Helsinki, Stockholm, and Oslo, which together are home to more than 7 million people and generate a combined GDP of over €450 billion. Improved connectivity would create broader and more integrated labour markets, accelerating productivity and economic growth. Companies, universities, and skilled professionals would gain new opportunities for cooperation, innovation, and international expansion.

“The connection between the Nordic capitals will create a shared economic area that generates growth for future generations. Nordic Capitals Railway is an investment both in the future and security,” says Jyri Arponen, Regional Mayor of Southwest Finland.

“A fixed link to Sweden would integrate Southwest Finland’s business community and companies even more closely into Nordic capitals network and to wider European economy. From a growth and investment perspective, this project would strengthen companies’ positioning as reliable and credible trade and cooperation partners,” emphasises Panu Routila, Chairman of the Board of the Turku Chamber of Commerce.

According to the report’s author, Senior Advisor Sauli Hievanen from Miltton, the benefits of large cross-border rail projects materialise over decades and even centuries. “More dynamic labour markets and increased interaction accelerate innovation and economic productivity. In comparable projects, such as the Øresund Bridge, up to 70 percent of the benefits came specifically from labour market impacts,” says.

An investment in the future and security

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has significantly changed Finland’s geopolitical position. Nearly all of Finland’s imports and exports now pass through the Baltic Sea, increasing the country’s logistical vulnerability. With NATO membership, Finland’s role in European security has grown, and westward connections have become increasingly important both for security of supply and for military mobility.

Nordic Capitals Railway would support the EU’s objective of building a high-speed rail network connecting European capitals. At the same time, it would create a secure alternative transport route, strengthening the resilience of Finland and Northern Europe. As dual-use infrastructure, the railway would serve both civilian and military needs, which is particularly important in the current security environment.

The importance of the project has also been highlighted in the report “Vision for Finland: Future International Transport Connections – Companies’ Expectations for Improving International Connectivity” by the Confederation of Finnish Industries. Finnish business leaders emphasise that new cross-border transport solutions are vital enablers of growth and competitiveness.

In December 2025, the Finnish Parliament allocated €250,000 in the state budget for a study on the fixed Helsinki–Stockholm connection, marking an important step forward in the project’s development.

Recommendations and next steps

The “Nordic Capitals Railway – A More United North, a Stronger Europe” report’s key recommendation is that Finland, Sweden, Norway, and the European Commission should launch a joint study on the project’s strategic benefits, feasibility, and financing options.

As major infrastructure projects take decades to materialise, preparation must begin now. The Nordic Capitals Railway is not merely a transport project but an investment in a more united Nordic region and a stronger Europe. Northern Europe now has the opportunity to become a driver of Europe’s growth and integration.

The report was commissioned by the City of Turku, the Regional Council of Southwest Finland, the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries, Ramboll, the Turku Chamber of Commerce, and Miltton Group.

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This article was first published in Finnish on 12 December 2025.

The report was launched in Stockholm on 27 January 2026, and on the same day the Turku mayoral leadership presented it to stakeholders in Brussels.