In a world where many countries build fences and take strict steps to protect their borders, there is one place where the line between two nations is more like a part of daily life. This unusual border exists between the Netherlands and Belgium, and it stretches for 450 kilometres. But what makes it special is how it passes through homes, cafes, and even living rooms.

Welcome to Baarle-Nassau (Netherlands) and Baarle-Hertog (Belgium) — twin towns that share one of the most fascinating and confusing borders in the world. Here, people eat dinner in one country and sleep in another. Some families live in a house where the kitchen is in Belgium but the bedroom is in the Netherlands. A few people even pick which country to place their front door in, based on who has lower taxes!

This border goes back to mediaeval times. In the 12th century, local lords traded land pieces, and in 1843, a treaty officially drew the current boundary. Now, in Baarle, there are 22 Belgian and 7 Dutch enclaves, which means small areas of one country inside the other.

White crosses and metal plates on the ground show the border. You’ll also see street signs marked “NL” for the Netherlands and “B” for Belgium, so you know where you’re standing.

One cafe, two countries — and a lot of rules

The people of Baarle have learnt to live with this strange setup. Shops and restaurants follow two sets of rules because they’re partly in both countries. For example, at De Biergrens café, the border goes between the tables. You can drink coffee in Belgium and eat a burger in the Netherlands — without leaving your seat.

But it’s not always fun. During COVID-19, Belgium and the Netherlands had different lockdown rules. So some people needed to follow border rules just to move between rooms in their house!

Videos showing the Baarle border have gone viral on social media. One person commented, “This is the craziest border in the world — two countries in one house!” Another said, “This blows my mind. How do people even keep track?”

Travel sites like Atlas Obscura call this “the world’s most confusing border”, and many tourists now visit just to walk between two countries in one step.

This unique border shows that sometimes, instead of building walls, countries can share space — and even a cup of coffee.

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