Landscape connectivity is essential for the conservation of large carnivores, particularly in highly fragmented landscapes. Despite was nearing extinction, the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) recovers in Europe, owing to reintroduction projects that have re-established several subpopulations. However, some of these subpopulations are small and isolated, possibly incurring into reduced genetic diversity. To establish a functional metapopulation in Europe, facilitating lynx movements is crucial, and connectivity modeling could support the identification of optimal solutions to connect these subpopulations. Here, we assessed habitat connectivity for the Eurasian lynx in current and future scenarios, between the European subpopulations, applying two different modeling approaches, namely Circuit theory-based and least-cost path techniques. Moreover, we evaluated the potential of European Protected Areas (EPAs) to form an ecological network able to connect lynx subpopulations. Our results show that several connections occur between Jura, Alpine, Bohemian-Bavarian-Austrian (BBA), and Dinaric populations, while Balkan is less connected. Moreover, the Carpathian population has the potential to act as a source for the BBA subpopulation, if properly connected. We report that, currently, only 21 % of the crucial corridors are covered by EPAs, and those are often disturbed by human infrastructures. High connectivity among EPAs occurs in Central and Eastern Europe, and among the Carpathian, BBA and Alpine subpopulations. However, unprotected areas appear between the Carpathian, the BBA, the Baltic, and the Balkans subpopulation. To enhance those connections, we test the Agenda 2030 goals, and find those functional for management actions focusing on dispersal corridors, also proving that transboundary cooperation is pivotal. Display omitted