Europe · neighbouring countries

Neighboring Countries of Germany

Q: Which is the longest border of Germany?

The longest land border of Germany is with Austria (801 km); the shortest is with Luxembourg (128 km).

Q: How long are the land borders of Germany?

The land borders of Germany total 3,694 km. By number of neighbours Germany ranks #4 among 236 countries and territories.

Germany shares land borders with 9 countries: Austria (801 km), Czechia (704 km), Netherlands (575 km), Poland (447 km), France (418 km), Switzerland (348 km), Denmark (140 km), Belgium (133 km) and Luxembourg (128 km).

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Country

Neighbouring countries (#4 of 236)

3,694 km

Total land borders

2,389 km

Coastline

357,022

Area in km²

Germany
Neighbouring countries
Neighbours of neighbours

Countries bordering Germany

Neighbour	Border length	Capital	Visa for Germany citizens
Austria	801 km	Vienna	Freedom of movement
Czechia	704 km	Prague	Freedom of movement
Netherlands	575 km	Amsterdam	Freedom of movement
Poland	447 km	Warsaw	Freedom of movement
France	418 km	Paris	Freedom of movement
Switzerland	348 km	Bern	Freedom of movement
Denmark	140 km	Copenhagen	Freedom of movement
Belgium	133 km	Brussels	Freedom of movement
Luxembourg	128 km	Luxembourg	Freedom of movement

Austria accounts for 22% of Germany's 3,694 km of land borders. Lengths: CIA World Factbook (public domain).

Geography of Germany

Location

Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark

Area

357,022 km² — three times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Montana

Terrain

Lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south

Climate

Temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind

Highest and lowest points

Highest: Zugspitze 2,963 m. Lowest: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.5 m. Mean elevation: 263 m.

Natural resources

Coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land

Natural hazards

Flooding

Good to know

Strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea; most major rivers in Germany -- the Rhine, Weser, Oder, Elbe -- flow northward; the Danube, which originates in the Black Forest, flows eastward

Neighbours of Germany's neighbours

Countries one border further away — reachable overland through a neighbouring country.

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Frequently asked questions about the borders of Germany

How many countries border Germany?

Which is the longest border of Germany?

The longest land border of Germany is with Austria (801 km); the shortest is with Luxembourg (128 km).

Is Germany landlocked?

No. Germany has 2,389 km of coastline.

How long are the land borders of Germany?

The land borders of Germany total 3,694 km. By number of neighbours Germany ranks #4 among 236 countries and territories.

Do Germany citizens need a visa for neighbouring countries?

Germany citizens can visit 9 of 9 neighbouring countries visa-free: Austria, Czechia, Netherlands, Poland, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium and Luxembourg.

What is the highest point of Germany?

Zugspitze 2,963 m. The lowest point is Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.5 m.

Borders and geography: CIA World Factbook (public domain). Visa rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset, AXG Sp. z o.o. (CC BY 4.0).