Countries That Border Germany: All 9 Neighboring Nations

Germany borders 9 countries, the most of any European nation. From Denmark in the north to Austria in the south, explore every neighbor and the geography that connects them.

Overview

Germany sits at the geographic heart of Europe with 9 land neighbors, the most of any European country. Its central position has shaped European history for centuries, making it both a crossroads and a battleground. Today, all 9 of Germany's neighbors are fellow EU or Schengen Area members or closely associated, allowing free movement of people and goods.

Complete List of Neighbors

Denmark (140 km)

Germany's only northern land border, crossing the flat Jutland Peninsula. The border was established after a 1920 plebiscite following World War I.

Poland (467 km)

The eastern border largely follows the Oder and Neisse rivers. This boundary was established after World War II, shifting significantly westward from pre-war borders.

Czech Republic (704 km)

Germany's longest border, running through the forested Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) and the Bohemian Forest (Sumava). The historic Sudetenland region lies along this frontier.

Austria (801 km)

The border stretches from Lake Constance in the west through the Alps to the Danube River valley. The two countries share the German language and deep cultural ties.

Switzerland (348 km)

The border runs along the Rhine River and Lake Constance. The German exclave of Busingen am Hochrhein is completely surrounded by Swiss territory.

France (418 km)

The Rhine River forms much of this historically significant border. The Alsace-Lorraine region changed hands between France and Germany multiple times between 1871 and 1945.

Luxembourg (128 km)

A short border in western Germany, crossing the Moselle River valley known for its vineyards and wine production.

Belgium (133 km)

The border runs through the Eifel region and the Ardennes forest, site of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

Netherlands (575 km)

A long border crossing the flat North European Plain. The border area is characterized by river deltas, lowlands, and a seamless cultural transition between the two nations.

Border Geography

Germany's borders traverse diverse landscapes: the flat North Sea coast and Jutland Peninsula along Denmark, the lowlands of the North European Plain along the Netherlands and Poland, the Rhine River valley along France and Switzerland, forested mountains along the Czech Republic, and the Alps along Austria. The country's central European location means its borders have been redrawn more than almost any other nation in modern history.

Key Facts

• Germany has 9 land neighbors, the most of any country fully in Europe.
• The Austria border (801 km) is Germany's longest single border.
• The Denmark border (140 km) is Germany's shortest.
• Germany's total land boundary is approximately 3,714 km.
• All 9 of Germany's neighbors are members of or closely associated with the European Union.

Fun Facts

• The German town of Busingen am Hochrhein is completely surrounded by Switzerland — it uses the Swiss franc alongside the euro.
• Lake Constance (Bodensee) touches Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but no formal border has ever been drawn across its waters.
• The Germany-Denmark border was determined by a popular vote in 1920, and the results still define the boundary today.
• Germany's borders have been redrawn at least five times in the last 150 years — more than almost any other European nation.