Can I walk to the Netherlands from Weeze, Germany (NRN)?

Question

I'd like to visit the Netherlands, and I can see that flights are much cheaper to Weeze, Germany (NRN) than to any airport in the Netherlands. Since Weeze is right next to the Netherlands, I would like to land in Weeze and walk to the Netherlands. So am I allowed to walk into the Netherlands at that border crossing 2km south of Weeze? Is this allowed? Are there border checks or do I somehow have to announce this? Is there even a passable border there? This is completely abstract to me, and I have no way of figuring out what the rules are.

Answer 1

From Weeze to the Netherlands there are low traffic flow roads.

As common in the Netherlands, next to them there is a cyclist dedicated path, which can also be used by pedestrians.

This is an example of how it would look, taken from Google Maps

the one on the right is the cycle path I was mentioning.

When you walk there, be mindful of incoming cyclists and try as much as possible not to unnecessarily obstruct their passage, unless you want a crash course in Dutch or Limburgse cussing.

There are no border controls, as both countries are in the Schengen area.

Answer 2

So am I allowed to walk into the Netherlands at that border crossing 2km south of Weeze?

Yes.

Is this allowed?

Yes. Pedestrian border crossings between the Netherlands and Germany are quite common.

Are there border checks or do I somehow have to announce this?

There are no "regular" border checks, but depending on where you cross, there can be spot check. One of my sons used to live in this area and the border police often checked the buses to look for weed.

You do not have to announce this. You can just walk across the border.

Is there even a passable border there?

According to Google maps there is, but walking near airports or borders can have a few wrinkles that Google doesn't know about. This being said, both Germany and the Netherlands are very pedestrian friendly and this type of "walk across" border is very common, so you have a good chance of making it just following Google Maps

This is completely abstract to me, and I have no way of figuring out what the rules are.

There are very few rules. Since you are in Schengen territory you are absolutely allowed to cross borders. Technically you are required to carry ID but other than that: if you find a path that's open, it's yours to take.

Answer 3

Just a reminder, that if you do choose to do this, then (assuming you need a Schengen) visa, then you will still need to apply to the Dutch authorities, not the German ones

Answer 4

Both Germany and the Netherlands are in the Schengen area and the border checks which are needed will be done on arrival in Germany, which those are depends on where you come from.

There will be no border formalities on the German - Dutch border, although spot checks are possible.
Which means that you can cross the border wherever there are roads and paths.

But as I do not live in the area I am not familiar with the infrastructure, a good detailed map, there are some available online, will help you.
It might also be possible to use public transport, if you do not fancy a hike to a main town.
This planner will help with buses and trains in the Netherlands.
And this planner does trains and buses in Germany, both sites also have English versions.

This is common knowledge in the Netherlands as well as in Germany, but often confirmed to me by cycling stories of friends who do live in the border area.

Answer 5

Article 22 of the Schengen Borders Code says, in its entirety,

Internal borders may be crossed at any point without a border check on persons, irrespective of their nationality, being carried out.

So, as another answer says, if you see a way across the border, you can take it. There aren't designated crossing points as there are on most international borders.

Articles 23 and following provide for exceptions, which are supposed to be temporary and limited, but as a foreign visitor all you really need to know is that it's fine to cross the border if you have your passport and as long as no signs or government agents tell you otherwise.

(If temporary controls are reintroduced you might see a government agent who will let you pass after looking at your passport, or you might see a sign telling you to cross somewhere else; I've never seen temporary internal controls in person so I don't know firsthand how they're implemented; just use common sense.)

Police aren't supposed to operate regular checkpoints at these borders, but they do watch areas near borders more closely than similar areas away from borders, so you shouldn't be surprised if you're stopped and asked for ID. It may be unlikely, but it's somewhat less unlikely than if you were walking down a similar road 100 km from the border.

Answer 6

Aside from potential visa and border check issues, Google maps shows a nice 1hr & 20 minute walk from the P2 parking to cross the border and thence through a park with a bridge over a divided lake or pond (much more direct than driving) to a restaurant Bosbrasserie In de Sluis.

From there you could take a 15 minute walk to Well, Leuken, then a local bus #83 for 39 minutes (24 stops) and the intercity train to (say) Eindhoven, altogether about 3 hrs plus however long waiting times for train and bus.

I guess there are worse ways to spend an afternoon.