Belgian Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke and Dutch State Secretary Thierry Aartsen met in Antwerp on 21 February 2026 to sign a joint declaration exploring a new high-frequency passenger service between Brussels-Midi and Eindhoven. The project, long discussed by regional planners, would cut journey times to around 90 minutes and plug Belgium’s capital into the Dutch tech hub branded “Brainport.” Beyond speed, the agreement calls for annual ministerial reviews, six-monthly working-group meetings and a dedicated task-force on military mobility – reflecting NATO’s push for resilient rail corridors that can double as troop-movement arteries. The partners will also advance freight schemes such as the 3RX line (an alternative to the historic Iron Rhine) and a Ghent–Terneuzen link, positioning the Benelux as a low-carbon logistics belt.
![Belgium and Netherlands sign pact to study Brussels–Eindhoven direct rail link]()
Whether you’re a business traveller keen to capitalise on the future Brussels-Eindhoven route or a tourist planning a quick hop across the border today, VisaHQ can smooth the journey. Its Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) lets users check visa requirements, complete applications online and receive expert support on residence or transit regulations—saving time that can be better spent planning meetings or weekend escapes.
For employers the line could be transformative. Eindhoven hosts Philips, ASML and dozens of semiconductor start-ups, while Brussels concentrates EU institutions and service multinationals. A faster connection widens commuter catchments, facilitates same-day client visits and underpins cross-border hybrid-working models. Property advisers already expect demand for residential lets near Leuven and Diest – potential intermediate stops – to rise if the service materialises. The study phase will assess rolling-stock compatibilities, station capacity and signalling upgrades. Funding options include EU CEF-Transport grants and green bonds issued through national rail operators. With final sign-off targeted for the summer, construction could begin in 2028 and first trains run early in the next decade, aligning with Belgian Rail’s 2030 timetable overhaul.
Whether you’re a business traveller keen to capitalise on the future Brussels-Eindhoven route or a tourist planning a quick hop across the border today, VisaHQ can smooth the journey. Its Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) lets users check visa requirements, complete applications online and receive expert support on residence or transit regulations—saving time that can be better spent planning meetings or weekend escapes.
For employers the line could be transformative. Eindhoven hosts Philips, ASML and dozens of semiconductor start-ups, while Brussels concentrates EU institutions and service multinationals. A faster connection widens commuter catchments, facilitates same-day client visits and underpins cross-border hybrid-working models. Property advisers already expect demand for residential lets near Leuven and Diest – potential intermediate stops – to rise if the service materialises. The study phase will assess rolling-stock compatibilities, station capacity and signalling upgrades. Funding options include EU CEF-Transport grants and green bonds issued through national rail operators. With final sign-off targeted for the summer, construction could begin in 2028 and first trains run early in the next decade, aligning with Belgian Rail’s 2030 timetable overhaul.
