ADIF has published one of its most significant public job calls in recent years. The 2026 offer includes 1,518 positions for operational staff, middle management, technical staff, and support structure technicians.
For those considering joining the railway sector, the ADIF 2026 exams present a particularly favourable scenario due to the number of positions, the variety of profiles, and the significant growth compared to the previous year.
Here are some key points of the call:
- 1,518 positions at ADIF.
- 481 more positions than in 2025.
- A global growth of 46.4 %.
- More than 30 professional profiles.
- Applications open until 4 August 2026.
- ADIF's largest offer since 2021.
ADIF offers 481 more positions than in 2025
The scale of this offer is better appreciated when compared to the previous call.
In 2025, 1,037 positions were published. A year later, ADIF raises the figure to 1,518 fixed employment opportunities, which means 481 additional positions.
The growth occurs in the three major categories:
- Operational Staff increases from 764 to 1,079 positions, with 315 more roles.
- Middle Management and Technical Staff rises from 216 to 311 positions, with 95 additional opportunities.
- Technician increases from 57 to 128 positions, representing 71 more roles.
Overall, the call grows by approximately 46.4 % compared to 2025.
The Technician category sees the most proportional increase, exceeding more than double the positions from the previous year.
This is not just an expansion of operational positions. ADIF is also looking for engineers, management professionals, legal specialists, IT experts, architects, and graduates from other areas necessary for the development of railway infrastructure.
Over a thousand positions for Operational Staff
The largest volume of the call corresponds to Operational Staff, with 1,079 positions. This category accounts for more than seven out of every ten offered roles.
The profiles with the highest number of opportunities are:
- Entry Circulation Factor: 524 positions.
- Electrical Installer and associated categories: 268 positions.
- Railway Assistant: 164 positions.
- Entry Telecommunications Officer: 57 positions.
- Entry Factor: 50 positions.
The offer also includes positions for Administrative Officer, Train Driver, and Controller, among other categories.
Each profile has its own academic and professional requirements. Therefore, before registering, it is necessary to review the specific bases and check which option best fits the qualifications and experience of each candidate.
Circulation Factor concentrates 524 positions
Entry Circulation Factor is one of the main protagonists of ADIF 2026.
In 2025, 203 positions were called for this profile. The new offer reaches 524, which represents:
- 321 additional positions.
- An approximate growth of 158 %.
- More than a third of the entire ADIF call.
- The largest recent offer for this profile.
This is one of the main access routes to railway employment. Its functions include regulating and managing train circulation, ensuring compliance with safety procedures, and coordinating various railway operations.
The selection process may include knowledge tests, psychotechnical assessments, and English. Therefore, having many positions does not eliminate the need to prepare with organisation and consistency.
Railway Assistant expands access opportunities
Another highlighted category is Railway Assistant, with 164 positions.
This position is related to conservation, maintenance, and monitoring of railway infrastructure.
The 2026 call allows candidates from different educational backgrounds to participate, as long as they meet the qualifications or equivalences outlined in the bases.
This broadens access opportunities to a profile that was previously more conditioned by specific vocational training qualifications.
Training directly related to the tasks of the position may also be relevant in the merit assessment, according to the conditions established for the process.
A particularly attractive call for engineers
ADIF has also significantly strengthened the categories aimed at university graduates.
Middle Management and Technical Staff includes 311 positions, compared to the 216 published in 2025.
The three areas with the highest offers are:
- Industrial Engineering: 89 positions.
- Civil Engineering: 80 positions.
- Management Area: 70 positions.
Together, these three profiles total 239 opportunities.
The call also includes positions related to:
- Economics.
- Law.
- Telecommunications.
- Computer Science.
- Technical Architecture.
- Occupational Risk Prevention.
- Document Management.
- Occupational Nursing.
The growth of Civil Engineering is particularly significant. This specialty increases from 33 positions in 2025 to 80 in 2026, more than double the previous year.
Technician is the category that grows the most
The Support Structure Technician category increases from 57 to 128 positions, an approximate increase of 124.6 %.
The specialties with the highest offers are:
- Civil Engineering Technician: 41 positions.
- Industrial Engineering Technician: 27 positions.
- Legal Technician: 13 positions.
- Telecommunications Engineering: 13 positions.
There are also opportunities in management, economics, computer science, architecture, communication, internal auditing, occupational psychology, and occupational medicine.
This distribution demonstrates that ADIF not only needs personnel for the daily operation of the network. It also seeks professionals capable of designing projects, leading teams, supervising works, managing resources, and participating in the modernisation of the railway system.
Who can apply for ADIF 2026?
The requirements vary by position, so the bases for each profile must be reviewed individually.
In general, candidates must:
- Meet the nationality requirements established.
- Have reached the minimum age required.
- Not exceed the maximum retirement age applicable.
- Hold the required qualification before the end of registration.
- Have the necessary psychophysical capacity for the position.
- Not have been separated through disciplinary proceedings from a Public Administration.
- Not be disqualified from performing public jobs or functions.
In Operational Staff, there are profiles accessible through High School, Vocational Training, or equivalent qualifications.
The categories of Middle Management, Technical Staff, and Technician usually require university qualifications related to the corresponding specialty.
Until when can applications be submitted?
The registration period began on 15 July and will end on 4 August 2026, both days included.
The application must be submitted electronically through the platform enabled by ADIF.
During the process, the candidate must:
- Select the profile they wish to apply for.
- Complete the form.
- Pay the examination fees when applicable.
- Attach the requested documentation.
- Indicate any necessary adaptations.
It is possible to submit applications for more than one category. However, some tests may take place simultaneously, so it is advisable to assess which profiles offer a better opportunity based on training and available time.
It is not recommended to wait until the last day. Any issues with the form, documentation, or payment could hinder participation in the process.
Positions reserved for people with disabilities
The call maintains a quota for people with a disability degree of 33 % or higher.
The reserved positions are distributed as follows:
- 43 positions in Operational Staff.
- 92 positions in Middle Management and Technical Staff.
- 30 positions in Technician.
Candidates can also request time or means adaptations to take the tests when necessary.
These circumstances must be indicated during registration and accredited with the corresponding documentation.
Why is ADIF 2026 such a relevant opportunity?
The high number of positions does not guarantee securing a job, but it does create an unusual scenario.
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