School Holidays in the Netherlands: Complete 2025–2026 Calendar and Planning Guide

Dutch school holidays follow regional schedules (North, Central, South) with staggered timing designed to manage traffic and tourism while providing five annual break periods. Unlike many countries with national school holidays, Dutch approach recognizes that coordinating millions of vacation travelers simultaneously creates gridlock, so holidays are spread across three geographical zones.

Planning around Dutch school holidays? Find childcare services and family support in the Netherlands to manage school breaks.

2025-2026 School Holiday Dates

Autumn Break: North and Central regions enjoy October 18-26 while South region begins earlier on October 11-19.

Christmas Break: Universal across all regions: December 20, 2025 through January 4, 2026.

Spring Break: North region has February 21-March 1. Central has February 14-22. South has February 14-22 (matching Central).

May Break: Identical nationwide: April 25-May 3, 2026.

Summer Holidays: North region enjoys July 4-August 16. Central region has July 18-August 30. South region takes July 11-August 23.

Important Considerations for Expat Families

Dutch school attendance law (leerplicht) is strict. Children cannot miss school except for specific valid reasons, legitimate family celebrations, emergencies, or proven work situations preventing vacation during official holiday periods. Taking vacation during term time without approved reason constitutes truancy and carries fines and official consequences. This means international families with home country visits must plan around official holidays. You cannot simply pull your child from school for extra week, legal penalties aren't worth it. Plan summer visits during official summer holiday periods.

Regional Holiday Implications

If you have multiple children at schools in different regional zones, coordinate your childcare accordingly. One child might be on holiday while another remains in school. Before selecting school, understand which region it belongs to particularly if you have multiple children. The staggered approach creates advantages: fewer crowds at popular destinations if you can vacation outside your region's peak period, more childcare availability when major holidays are offset between regions, and less total road congestion.

Planning Childcare for Holiday Periods

For working parents, school holidays require childcare arrangements. Outside school care (buitenschoolse opvang, BSO) operates during holidays offering supervised activities and day trips. Most schools connect families with BSO providers though you can access providers directly through organizations like Partou or Zein Childcare. Costs vary considerably. Holiday BSO typically ranges from 150-300 euros weekly depending on provider and location. Many families combine multiple solutions, family help, part-time childcare, activity camps, and parental flexibility.

Summer Camp Options

During longer summer break, summer camps provide enrichment activities ranging from language programs to sports camps to creative arts programs. Providers include Summer Camps Holland and Vinea offering options for various ages and interests. These camps cost more than BSO (typically 300-600 euros weekly) but provide structured activities and social interaction with children from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Financial Planning for School Breaks

School holidays create predictable expense increases, childcare costs, camp fees, activity expenses, and often travel. Budget accordingly understanding that school holidays aren't flexible. Plan childcare solutions well in advance as popular camps and providers fill quickly during school breaks. If planning international travel during holidays, book flights and accommodation far ahead. Entire nation traveling during regional holiday weeks creates competition for available services and premium pricing.

Public Holidays and Religious Observances

Beyond official school holidays, students also receive time off for public holidays, King's Day (April 27), Remembrance Day and Liberation Day (May 4-5), and various other national occasions. Also, schools may grant time off for religious observances important to their student communities, Eid, Hanukkah, and other significant dates. Check with your specific school about their full holiday calendar including any school-specific closure days or teacher training days when students have no school but you need childcare.