The newly published report Nordic Capitals Railway – A more united Nordic region, a stronger Europe puts forward a compelling vision for a high-speed rail connection linking Helsinki, Stockholm and Oslo. According to the report, such a connection could become a long-term engine of growth, security and integration for the entire Nordic region.
Together, the corridor spanning from Oslo to Helsinki forms an area of more than seven million inhabitants and a combined GDP exceeding EUR 450 billion. A fast, reliable rail link would bring these urban centres closer, creating a larger and more dynamic labour market and enabling stronger collaboration between companies, universities and research communities across the Nordic region.
The report highlights that the long-term benefits of major cross-border rail projects often stem from improved labour market functioning and increased interaction. Examples such as the Øresund Bridge show that up to 70% of economic benefits arise from labour-market related effects. For Finland, enhanced accessibility would open new opportunities for innovation and international growth.
“Linking the capitals builds a shared economic area that generates growth for generations to come. The Nordic Capitals Railway is an investment in our future and our security,” says Jyri Arponen, Regional Mayor of Southwest Finland.
There is growing political interest in Finland in exploring the project further. The Finnish Parliament allocated EUR 250,000 in the 2026 state budget for a study on the Helsinki–Stockholm fixed link; a concrete signal of national-level commitment to assess the project’s potential.
