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The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact created by the introduction of competition within the Italian high-speed rail (HSR) market. This paper aims at comparing the situation before and after the liberalisation process, taking into account the EU’s fundamental contribution from a legal point of view. To support this demonstration, economic and statistical analyses were used to estimate quantitatively changes and trends within the market. While some contradictory positions exist, for and against liberalisation, this paper also focuses on the issues related to the environment and to territorial development when considering the impact of competition. Finally this paper demonstrates how liberalisation has brought multiple benefits, also considering that the arrival of a new competitor on the market ( Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori) has reduced travel prices and increased quality for customers, without decreasing the revenues of the incumbent company ( Trenitalia).