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Belgian–Dutch relations refer to interstate relations between Belgium and the Netherlands. It can be seen as one of the closest international relationships in existence, marked by shared history, culture, institutions and language, extensive people-to-people links, aligned security interests, sporting tournaments and vibrant trade and investment cooperation. Both nations are members of the European Union and NATO and, together with Luxembourg, form the Low Countries and the Benelux economic union.
In 1854 Belgian king Leopold I prepared an attack on the Netherlands. His goal was to annex at least the Catholic parts of the Netherlands south of the rivers Meuse and Waal. After receiving no guarantee from French emperor Napoleon III that there would be no action from other European powers, the plan was shelved.[1]
In 1919 the Dutch military command made far-reaching preparations to invade Belgium. It was intended as a preventive attack because of Belgium's designs on Zeelandic Flanders and parts of Dutch Limburg. Brussels sought these territories to be able to better defend the country. After the Allies – chiefly the United Kingdom and France – turned against the Belgian demands, the direct military danger disappeared.[2]
World War I
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World War II
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Both nations are great allies with cultural similarities and close cooperation between both governments. Dutch/Flemish (Nederlands/Vlaams) is an official language of Belgium, and is the most-spoken language in both countries. Approximately 35,000 Belgian nationals live in the Netherlands,[3] while there are around 111,000 Dutch nationals in Belgium.[4]
Thanks to their shared history and the Dutch language, the Netherlands and Belgium have strong cultural ties. In 1980, the two countries set up the Dutch Language Union to encourage greater cooperation in the field of Dutch language and literature. The Union offers services including language tools like dictionaries and a language advice service, education in and about Dutch, literature and reading skills, and activities promoting the Dutch language in Europe and the rest of the world. The Union also works to showcase the two countries’ shared cultural heritage.[5]
1960, visit and dinner in the Royal Palace of Brussels
State visits
1938: Visit of King Leopold in Amsterdam.
1960: Visit of Queen Juliana to Brussels.
2016: State Visit of King Philippe to King Willem Alexander, the King and Queen were bestowed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.
2023: State Visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima (and 8 Dutch government ministers) to all three of Belgium’s regions. Attention was given to energy transition issues and to political, cultural and economic themes. Visits included the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Royal Palace, the Town Hall, the Laken Castle, the Federal Parliament and the Climate Tech Forum in Brussels, as well as the Aerospacelab in Mont-Saint-Guibert, the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo, the Biopark in Charleroi, Imec in Leuven and both the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the city’s Port House in Antwerp.[7]
Other
The Duke of Brabant was invited to attend the inauguration of King Willem Alexander and Queen Mathilde is a godmother of Princess Alexia of the Netherlands.
Queen Beatrix attended the state Funerals of King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola. Queen Juliana attended the Wedding of King Baudoin and Queen Fabiola in 1960.
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