Imagine living in a house where your kitchen is in one country and your bedroom in another. That’s everyday life for some people in Baarle, a small European town with one of the quirkiest
borders in the world.
Baarle is split between the Dutch town of Baarle-Nassau and the Belgian town of Baarle-Hertog. But it’s not a clean line. Instead, the border zigzags through streets, shops, and even private homes, creating a real-life jigsaw puzzle of enclaves within enclaves.
For locals, this sometimes leads to funny situations. Couples living under the same roof could technically “sleep in different countries,” or you might have to step across an international border just to grab a glass of water.
Most of the town’s 9,000 residents are Dutch, but life here is influenced by both nations. Even the landscaping shows the divide: Dutch streets are lined with neatly pruned lime trees, while Belgian roads feature a wilder mix of greenery.
The differences don’t stop there. Belgium’s looser planning laws allow for more freedom in construction, while the Netherlands keeps things tidier and stricter. And when it comes to lifestyle rules, the contrasts can be even sharper—Belgians can enjoy a glass of wine at 16, while Dutch law sets the drinking age at 18. Fireworks? The Dutch limit sales to New Year’s, but in Belgium, they’re available year-round—making the Belgian side a go-to for anyone stocking up.
So how do you know which side you’re on? The town has come up with a charmingly simple system: white crosses mark the border on the ground, with “NL” on one side and “B” on the other. House numbers also come with either a Dutch or Belgian flag.
While the unusual setup once caused tension—local kids from each side even used to fight after school—things have calmed down over time. In fact, today many residents hold dual citizenship, making the border more symbolic than divisive.
The town’s tangled identity has deep roots, dating back to medieval land swaps. It wasn’t until 1995 that the border puzzle was officially settled. Now, Baarle has embraced its oddness, turning what was once a headache into a unique charm that draws curious visitors from around the world. Photo by Jacek Rużyczka, Wikimedia commons.
