Eurostar International Ltd is a high-speed train operator primarily linking London St Pancras International with Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam, with occasional seasonal services to other French destinations. It is part of the Eurostar Group, which operates under a unified brand alongside Thalys International Factory. Since its registration in the EU Transparency Register on August 14, 2012, Eurostar International Ltd has focused its lobbying efforts mainly on EU transport and rail policy, particularly in areas affecting international passenger rail services.
Eurostar’s lobbying agenda revolves around several key European legislative proposals related to passenger rail, including the Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS), Package Travel Directive, Multimodal Passenger Rights, rail infrastructure capacity allocation, revision of the train drivers certification directive, track access charges, rail security, and data transfers like the Passenger Name Record (PNR) and Advanced Passenger Information (API). The firm is closely involved in preparing for new border management requirements such as the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
As a major operator affected by the evolving UK-EU relationship, Eurostar monitors regulatory frameworks concerning the Channel Tunnel and associated trade and cooperation agreements, particularly on mobility and migration. The company is also focused on issues like climate action, competition, trans-European transport networks, and border security.
Eurostar registers its advocacy primarily through participation in EU-supported forums like the Single European Railway Area Forum (SERAF) and occasional involvement in industry roundtables like RAILSEC and LANDSEC. It also responds to EU public consultations in the transport and border/migration policy areas.
The company presents itself as a responsible corporate citizen, maintaining a “low-risk” tax status and managing its tax risk prudently across its operating jurisdictions. It does not engage in aggressive tax planning and seeks to pay the right amount of tax at the right time.
