Netherlands vs Belgium — Country Comparison
Netherlands
BelgiumNetherlands and Belgium side by side: Netherlands is the larger country (41,865 km² vs 30,528 km²), while Netherlands has the bigger population (18.1 million vs 11.8 million). The full comparison table below covers capitals, currencies, languages, dialling codes, timezones and more.
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
| Fact | Netherlands | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Amsterdam | Brussels |
| Population | 18,100,436 | 11,825,551 |
| Area | 41,865 km² | 30,528 km² |
| Currency | Euro | Euro |
| Languages | Dutch | Dutch, French, German |
| Dialling code | +31 | +32 |
| Main timezone | UTC+01:00 | UTC+01:00 |
| Drives on the | Right | Right |
| Region | Western Europe | Western Europe |
| Emergency number | 112 | 112 |
Key differences: Netherlands vs Belgium
- Netherlands has about 1.5 times the population of Belgium.
- Netherlands is slightly larger by area.
- Netherlands is the more densely populated of the two.
- They use the same currency.
- They share Dutch as an official language.
- They share a land border.
- Their geographic centres are about 220 km apart.
- Netherlands and Belgium are in the same time zone (UTC+01:00).
Want the full picture for each country? See Netherlands and Belgium, or compare their population pages: Netherlands · Belgium.
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Netherlands vs Belgium — FAQ
Which is bigger, Netherlands or Belgium?
Netherlands is bigger by area: 41,865 km² vs 30,528 km².
Is Netherlands bigger than Belgium?
Yes — Netherlands covers 41,865 km², compared to 30,528 km² for Belgium.
Which has more people, Netherlands or Belgium?
Netherlands has the larger population: 18,100,436 (18.1 million) vs 11,825,551 (11.8 million).
How does the size of Netherlands compare to Belgium?
Netherlands (41,865 km²) is larger than Belgium (30,528 km²).
Do Netherlands and Belgium use the same currency?
Yes — both use the Euro (EUR).
Are Netherlands and Belgium on the same continent?
Yes — both are in Europe.
What is the time difference between Netherlands and Belgium?
Netherlands and Belgium are in the same time zone (UTC+01:00).
Do Netherlands and Belgium share an official language?
Yes — both share Dutch as an official language.
Do Netherlands and Belgium share a border?
Yes — Netherlands and Belgium share a land border.
Which is more densely populated, Netherlands or Belgium?
Netherlands is more densely populated at roughly 432 people per km², compared to 387 for Belgium.
How far is Netherlands from Belgium?
The distance between the geographic centres of Netherlands and Belgium is roughly 220 km (140 miles) in a straight line. Actual travel distances between cities will differ.
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