# North Macedonia Corridor 8 rail funding secured

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-corridor-8-rail-funding-loss
> Updated: 2026-08-06T08:55:59.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026 opposition parties said the government missed the deadline for a €60.77 million EU grant intended for the third section of the Corridor 8 railway to Bulgaria. The government confirmed the lapse and said it would rely on existing European loans while continuing talks on a cross‑border tunnel.

In April 2026 Macedonia signed financing agreements that unlocked a €149 million EU grant from the Western Balkans Investment Framework, together with €175 million loans each from the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The funds will finance the same third section, linking the Kriva Palanka border crossing with Deve Bair in Bulgaria and include construction of the tunnel. A tender is expected later in 2026, with works slated to begin in autumn, and a second intergovernmental meeting is planned before the end of August to request additional funding for the tunnel.

On 6 August 2026 the Macedonian government formally signed the financing agreements, attended by Prime Minister Christian Mikovski, Deputy Prime Minister for Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski, Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska‑Kochoska, EU delegation deputy head Ben Nupnau and EBRD director Fatih Turkmenoglu. The signing confirmed the €149 million EU grant and the €175 million loans, reaffirming the timetable for the cross‑border tunnel and the autumn start of construction.

## Claims

- A tender for construction is expected to be launched later this year, with works to start in the autumn. (disputed by 7 sources)
- The 2024 tender for the project was cancelled and the construction contract was not signed within the deadline. (disputed by 4 sources)
- The EU Western Balkans Investment Framework provided a €149 million grant for the Kriva Palanka–Deve Bair railway section. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Prime Minister Christian Mikovski, Deputy Prime Minister for Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski, Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska‑Kochoska, EU delegation deputy head Ben Nupnau and EBRD director Fatih (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The project includes construction of a cross‑border railway tunnel between Macedonia and Bulgaria. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The railway project is part of Macedonia's strategy to leverage its position as a hub of Corridors 8 and 10. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The Macedonian government failed to secure a €60.77 million EU IPA grant for the third section of the Corridor 8 railway to Bulgaria. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The total financing package for the Corridor 8 project was about €560 million, including €175 million loans from the European Investment Bank, €175 million loans from the European Bank for Development (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-06: Macedonia launches third phase of Corridor 8 railway with €149 million EU grant

North Macedonia signed EU‑backed financing for the Kriva Palanka–Deve Bair railway tunnel, securing a €149 million grant and loans to start construction in autumn.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-secures-149-million-eu-grant-for-kriva-palanka-railway-link-to-bulgaria

### 2026-08-04: North Macedonia loses €60 million EU rail subsidy as it seeks Bulgarian support for EU accession

North Macedonia lost a €60 million EU rail grant over a missed contract and is seeking other funding, while Bulgarian MEP Christian Vigenin says Macedonia must win Bulgarian public support for EU membership.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-loses-60-million-eu-rail-subsidy-as-it-seeks-bulgarian-support-for-eu-accession

### 2026-07-31: Macedonia loses €60.77 million EU grant for Corridor 8 railway to Bulgaria

Macedonia’s opposition says the government failed to secure a €60.77 million EU grant for the third section of Corridor 8 railway to Bulgaria, citing a cancelled 2024 tender and demanding accountability.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macedonia-loses-608-million-eu-grant-for-railway-link-to-bulgaria

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Cite as: North Macedonia Corridor 8 rail funding secured. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-corridor-8-rail-funding-loss