BENELUX: WORKING TOGETHER ACROSS BORDERS FOR THE WELLBEING OF CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES

TO LIVE TOGETHER,
WITHOUT
BORDERS

Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are actively working together to sustainably increase the prosperity of citizens and businesses in the Benelux.

In 2026, the Netherlands will hold the presidency of the Benelux. During this presidency, the Netherlands will focus on:

Economic cooperation and the internal market:

The Netherlands will continue to promote a strong internal market and enhanced economic cooperation within the Benelux. It is important to assess what the market delivers for citizens and businesses. The Netherlands also aims to further strengthen cooperation between border regions, so that residents and companies can better benefit from cross-border opportunities.

Security and resilience:

In the coming year, the Netherlands intends to place greater emphasis on strengthening resilience and raising awareness of crisis situations. It also seeks to increase the exchange of knowledge on hybrid threats, such as cyberattacks, and to act more effectively against organized crime.

Energy cooperation:

Energy security is playing an increasingly important role in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The Netherlands therefore aims to strengthen regional cooperation to enable a faster transition to sustainable energy, enhance energy security, and achieve a fully circular Benelux economy by 2050.

A key player in the history of European integration

1944

The three countries sign a Customs Agreement. The objective is to establish a tariff union.
1958

The Benelux Treaty establishing the Benelux Economic Union is signed.
2008

A political declaration between the Benelux countries and North Rhine-Westphalia is signed.

Explore the key moments in the history of the Benelux Union

We are actively working in a wide range of areas

Climate

Climate change is a challenge that affects all of us. That’s why the Benelux Union is developing joint solutions to tackle the effects of climate change.

Digitalisation

Digitalisation brings opportunities for citizens and businesses, but also poses certain risks. That’s why the Benelux Union is already acting as a digital pioneer in Europe today. Networks and data security sit right at the top of our agenda, for example.

Sustainability

Sustainability is one of the most important issues for the future of the planet. The Benelux Union has taken numerous measures to protect our ecosystem in a sustainable way.

Economy

Open borders are an essential prerequisite to build a sustainable economy today. Worker and business mobility is one of the cornerstones of the Benelux Union.

Education

Open education is an asset in our knowledge-based society. The Benelux Union is pushing for borderless education, across our three countries and beyond.

Energy

More than ever, energy supply is a core issue in our public debate. The Benelux Union is working to encourage renewable energy across borders.

Crisis management

The world is facing several crises. The Benelux Union is committed to joint crisis management to enable us to withstand current and future crises.

Mobility

Mobility is a major challenge for the future. The Benelux Union is working on innovative solutions that will enable citizens to move across borders with consideration for the environment.

Health

The recent pandemic has made health an even more important societal issue. The Benelux countries are working together to improve the wellbeing of all citizens.

Safety

Safety is a basic human need. Thanks to effective and coordinated cooperation between the security services, the Benelux countries are making a concrete contribution to improving the safety of their citizens.

Benelux AND YOU

You are at the heart
of our plans for tomorrow

Every day, the Benelux region works on projects that have a positive impact on citizens and businesses.

Whatever your profile,
we are here to support you

Benelux PORTALS

A dedicated platform for each specific field

Work, energy, trade, climate… whatever your area of interest, you can count on Benelux to support you.

Take a look at our portals and find all the information you’re looking for.

Starting point for cross-border work

This portal provides you with all the essential information you need about working across the border.

https://startpuntgrensarbeid.benelux.int/fr/
Benelux Energy Expertise Network

The Benelux Energy Expertise Network shows that our region has cutting-edge knowledge and is working hard to achieve the climate-neutral society we want to be by 2050.

https://benex.benelux.int/
Benelux/North Rhine-Westphalia information point on retail trade

This site is aimed at retailers who want to trade across the border in the Benelux and North Rhine-Westphalia or who want to set up a physical presence there.

https://retail.benelux.int/fr/
Benelux Climate Platform

Bringing together all the climate stakeholders in the Benelux region to strengthen the green transition.

https://climate.benelux.int/
Benelux IDRO

The Benelux ID Registration Organization (IDRO) allocates the first 5 characters of identification codes for e-mobility on behalf of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

https://benelux-idro.eu/fr