Öresund Metro

The Öresund Metro^[1] is a proposed metro tunnel link between the cities of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Malmö, Sweden.^[2] It would complement the existing Øresund heavy rail line, offering a rapid transit option across the Øresund Strait, improving cross-border mobility between the two countries.

Øresundsmetro Öresundsmetro
Overview
Area served	Copenhagen, Denmark Malmö, Sweden
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	1
Website	https://oresundsmetro.com/en
Operation
Operation will start	Construction: 2028–2030 Opening (estimate): 2035
Technical
System length	22.1 km (13.7 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Background

In September 2011, the local governments of Copenhagen and Malmö announced their intention to seek European Union funding to study the potential for a metro line under the Øresund, connecting to the Malmö Central Station. This would provide faster travel and additional capacity beyond the existing Øresund Bridge.^[3] The EU granted funding for the study in December 2011,^[4] which aimed to explore both a simple shuttle between the two stations and a continuous metro line integrated with the local transport networks on each side. The anticipated travel time between the two city centers was projected to be approximately 20 minutes.^[5] The study was completed in April 2021.^[6][7]

In May 2018, the Øresund Metro Executive was formed, consisting of representatives from the cities of Copenhagen and Malmö, industry professionals, and researchers. Their goal was to explore the feasibility of a driverless metro system connecting Copenhagen and Malmö with a reduced travel time of around 20 minutes, compared to 35 minutes by train.^[8] Expected capacity constraints on the Øresund Line due to the Fehmarn Belt fixed link have made the €4 billion metro proposal an important solution to alleviate congestion.

In addition to the core project, Malmö has made plans for the first three metro stations, which, if the line is ever built, would be located in the Västra hamnen district of Malmö. The first station, located at Fullriggaren (currently a bus stop), would be called Galeonen, with two additional stations at Masttorget and Malmö Central.^[9][10] The metro stations are intended to play a key role in the development of new areas around these stops, particularly the Galeonen project, which envisions creating a new coastal district from the earth excavated during the tunnel construction. This would create an area designed to combat rising sea levels and promote biodiversity.

Proposal and specifications

The Öresund Metro is planned to feature the following specifications:^[11]

• Capacity: 36 trains per hour in each direction (departures every 90 seconds – 2.3 million people capacity)^[12]
• Travel time: Around 20/25 minutes^{[9][10][12][13]}
• Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
• Integration: The metro line would connect directly with the existing Copenhagen Metro system

In earlier sources, the Öresund Metro was projected to branch off the M5 line at Lergravsparken. However, since the necessary infrastructure ("afgreningskammer") wasn't included in the M5 project, as of 2025^[update] this is no longer possible. Instead, the selected branch point is to be the planned Prags Boulevard station.^[14]

• Planned stations in Malmö:^[9][10]
  • Galeonen (located at Fullriggaren)
  • Masttorget
  • Malmö Central Station

There are no current decisions to start construction. Earlier sources claimed the construction of the metro could begin around 2030, although some sources have suggested a potential start date as early as 2028.^[13] If completed, the metro would significantly improve cross-border mobility and alleviate congestion on existing rail services, including the Øresundståg.

Expected benefits and timeline

The project, valued at approximately DKK 30 billion (EUR 4 billion), is expected to reduce travel time between Copenhagen and Malmö from 40 minutes to about 25 minutes. The metro line will travel 22.1 kilometers under the Øresund Strait, with a total of five new stations along the route. It will accommodate 36 trains per hour, traveling at speeds of up to 120 km/h. Completion of the metro line is expected around 2035, though construction may begin as early as 2028.^[13]

The Öresund Metro will increase labour market cohesion, allowing 2.3 million people to commute across the Öresund within an hour (up from 1.3 million), with job availability increasing by approximately 500,000. It will also reduce congestion on existing rail lines, creating more space for freight transport between Scandinavia and Central Europe.^[12]

Additionally, the Öresund Metro contributes to EU climate goals by shifting freight transport from road to rail, reducing emissions and enhancing greener transport in the region. It will also provide an alternative route to Copenhagen Airport, improving public transport redundancy and increasing punctuality.^[12]

See also

• Øresundståg – passenger train network operating in the transnational Øresund Region of Denmark and Sweden
• HH Tunnel – another proposed tunnel under the Øresund (largely rejected by the Danish government)
• Landskrona–Copenhagen tunnel – a third proposed tunnel under the Øresund (largely rejected by the Danish government)
• Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System – a similar cross-border metro line currently under construction between Singapore and Malaysia