Virgin Trains has received pre-approval from The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to run services between London St. Pancras and Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam from 2030.

The deal is set to see Virgin Trains operate up to 20 new daily returns services from 1 October 2030 to 31 December 2040.

The rail regulator said that the agreement is a "significant step forward in bridging competition to the market for international rail services", supporting economic growth and providing significant benefits for passengers travelling between London and continental Europe.

Virgin Trains and London St Pancras High Speed may now enter into the agreement by 4 September 2026.

The deal is set to challenge Eurostar’s current monopoly on the UK’s international rail market.

The ORR said there are a number of steps before the new services will be able to run, with Virgin Trains needing to procure rolling stock, secure access to other rail networks, and obtain safety approvals from the regulator and the relevant authorities in the EU.

Deputy director, access and international at Virgin Trains, Martin Jones, stated: "This is an important next step in bringing competition and growth to the market for international rail services, and we welcome the progress Virgin Trains and London St Pancras High Speed have made. While there is still more work to do, we are supporting Virgin and the wider industry to grow international services."

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