This paper proposes a new approach - set up within the REALISEGRID research project - for speeding up approval procedures for building transmission infrastructure. The experiences of Transmission System Operators from Netherlands, Italy, France, Austria and Germany are studied in order to generalize and pinpoint the main weaknesses and strengths of current approval procedures. Recommendations concerning how to reduce the time needed for approval procedures are made. The problem of consensus improvement is also analysed. Suggestions for better structuring of the decision process in transmission planning, with high involvement of stakeholders, are made. A systemic approach for speeding up authorization procedures is proposed by combining the country survey and the consensus improvement findings. Actions are defined on different time horizons.@en