Hazeldonk/Meer

Hazeldonk (as it is called in the Netherlands) or Meer (as it is called in Belgium) is the busiest border crossing between the Netherlands and Belgium. It sees an average of 55,000 vehicles per day, with some sources suggesting it as one of the busiest border crossings in Europe. The European route E19 (Amsterdam - Paris) crosses the border here and turns from the Dutch A16 (Rotterdam - Hazeldonk) into the Belgian A1/E19 (Meer - Brussels) motorway. Since 1997 the former municipality Hazeldonk belongs to the municipality of Zundert. The border crossing and adjacent industrial area belongs to the municipality of Breda. At the Dutch side of the border lies the service station Hazeldonk, which includes fast food restaurants, petrol stations and a hotel. The Schiphol–Antwerp high-speed railway also crosses the Dutch/Belgium border here and connects the HSL-Zuid with the HSL 4. Due to the Schengen acquis there is free movement of persons and goods between the Netherlands and Belgium, although there are regular inspections by mutual customs. The Dutch and Belgian police forces also work closely together and can freely continue their work on both sides of the border, including in priority pursuit of a suspicious vehicle.