School holidays in the Netherlands help families plan school life and travel. Therefore, you should learn the basic rules first. Many parents also ask about dates, because regions can differ. So this guide explains the system in clear steps.
Introduction
School holidays in the Netherlands follow an advised national calendar. It covers primary and secondary schools, too. However, each school can make small changes. Therefore, you should check your school website too. In addition, international schools often follow similar patterns. So you can plan family trips with less stress.
You will see three holiday regions in the Netherlands. Moreover, you will meet two holiday types. Furthermore, you will learn about leave rules and childcare. So you can choose the best weeks for your family.
How the Dutch holiday regions work
The Dutch system uses three holiday regions. Therefore, the country avoids big traffic peaks. The regions are North, Central, and South. So schools spread travel days across the country.
The government groups provinces and towns into regions. For example, North includes provinces such as Groningen and Friesland. In addition, North also includes all of Noord-Holland. Central includes most of Utrecht and all of Zuid-Holland. Moreover, the South includes Limburg and Zeeland.
Some provinces are split between regions. Therefore, some towns in Gelderland follow different dates. Flevoland also splits in this way. So you should always confirm your town region.
International schools often choose a one-region schedule. However, some schools follow their own calendar. Therefore, you should ask the school office early. In addition, many schools publish dates in the spring.
Fixed and flexible school holidays
School holidays in the Netherlands include fixed breaks and flexible breaks. Dutch people also call them schoolvakanties. Therefore, you can expect some dates each year. Fixed breaks include summer, Christmas, and the May vacation. So many families book trips around them.
Schools can extend the May vacation by one week. Therefore, you may see a longer May break. In addition, schools often connect it to public holidays. So May can feel like a long rest.
Flexible breaks include autumn vacation and spring break. However, schools can move these dates. Therefore, the advised dates act like a guide. In addition, local events can shape the final week.
Carnival affects many southern schools. So South often places spring break near carnival. In the South, many families say carnavalsvakantie. Moreover, some schools in other regions keep the later week. Therefore, you should check the school calendar each year.
Key dates for 2026
Central takes spring break from 14 to 22 February 2026. South also takes it from 14 to 22 February 2026. North takes it from 21 February to 1 March 2026. Therefore, North starts later in 2026.
All regions take the May vacation from 25 April to 3 May 2026. Moreover, some schools add an extra week. So you should confirm that again.
North takes the summer from 4 July to 16 August 2026. South takes summer from 11 July to 23 August 2026. Central takes summer from 18 July to 30 August 2026. Therefore, summer dates differ a lot.
North takes autumn vacation from 10 to 18 October 2026. Central and South take it from 17 to 25 October 2026. So autumn shifts again.
All regions take Christmas vacation from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Therefore, the winter break stays similar.
How to plan trips and daily life
School holidays in the Netherlands help you plan early. Therefore, you can look at the full year in January. Also, you can mark the big breaks first. So you avoid last-minute stress.
Start with summer vacation. Because it lasts many weeks, prices rise fast. Therefore, book flights and hotels early. In addition, try weekday travel, because weekends fill up.
Next, check the May vacation. Moreover, it may include an extra week. Therefore, ask the school for the final dates. So you avoid missing lessons.
Also, think about spring break and autumn vacation. However, schools can shift them. Therefore, you should wait for the school letter. In addition, many schools share dates before autumn starts.
If you live near a regional border, plan with care. Since nearby friends may follow another region, playdates may change. Therefore, you can talk with other parents early. So you can align childcare and family visits.
Rules about travel outside holiday weeks
The Netherlands follows compulsory education rules. Therefore, children must attend school on school days. Parents who take holidays in school time risk fines. So you should plan inside holiday weeks.
The law has a Dutch name, Leerplichtwet. Therefore, schools take attendance very seriously. In addition, municipalities can act when children miss lessons. So parents should avoid early departures.
Sometimes families face special problems. Therefore, parents can ask the school board for leave. People call this request a “vrijstelling” appeal. So the school can review your reason.
Use clear reasons and dates in your request. Because the school needs facts, you should write simple details. In addition, ask early, since the process can take time. So you protect your family plans.
Holiday childcare and fun options
Many parents work during breaks. Therefore, holiday childcare can help. Many afterschool care groups, called BSO, run holiday programs. People call holiday care vakantieopvang. So children can stay active and safe.
These programs often include sports and day trips. In addition, some groups plan small camps. Therefore, children meet friends outside school. So breaks feel fun and social.
You can also use city programs. Moreover, libraries and sports clubs run holiday weeks. Therefore, check your gemeente website for local lists. So you can compare prices and hours.
Book childcare early, because places fill up. In addition, ask about food and pickup times. Therefore, you can match your work schedule. So you keep the week calm.
Conclusion
School holidays in the Netherlands follow regions, fixed breaks, and flexible breaks. Therefore, you can plan well with a simple routine. Check your school calendar, because schools can adjust dates. In addition, respect attendance rules, since the law stays strict. So you protect your child and your plans.
Use holiday childcare when you need it. Moreover, share plans with other families early. Therefore, your year can run smoothly. School holidays in the Netherlands give families time to rest together.
If you want to learn more about Primary and Secondary Education in the Netherlands, this guide is a helpful next step. It explains the school types and key stages, so you can understand the system with ease. Therefore, you can make more informed choices for your child’s education. Read it here: Primary and Secondary Education in the Netherlands.
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational and awareness purposes only. The content can be verified from other sources. The author accepts no legal responsibility for any decisions made based on this information.