Holidays and Days Off in the Netherlands in 2026

When planning work in the Netherlands in 2026, it is worth knowing which public holidays and days off work apply throughout the year. This information is helpful when planning leave, trips to your home country, and everyday work organization.

In the Netherlands, not every holiday means a day off work. Much depends on the industry, type of contract, and arrangements with the employer or employment agency. Even widely celebrated holidays such as Easter or Christmas may be working days.

Below you will find the up-to-date list of public holidays and days off in the Netherlands in 2026, along with a brief explanation of what they mean in practice for employees.


Holidays and public holiday calendar 2026


The rules regarding public holidays and days off in the Netherlands differ from those in other countries. Therefore, it is worth checking in advance which days off apply in 2026 and in which cases the decision about having a day off depends on the industry, employer, or provisions in the employment contract.

Official public holidays in the Netherlands 2026


Below we present a list of public holidays in the Netherlands in 2026, which makes it easier to plan leave, trips, and work during holidays.

Public holidays in the Netherlands – what do they mean for employees?


Not all public holidays in the Netherlands are treated equally. Some of them may be days off work, while others remain regular working days, especially in sectors such as logistics, production, or warehousing. It is also worth remembering that working on holidays often comes with a salary supplement, the amount of which depends on the applicable collective labor agreement (CAO) in a given company. These rules may vary depending on the industry and employer, so it is always advisable to check the provisions of your contract.

Popular holidays that are not days off


In addition to statutory public holidays in the Netherlands, there are also holidays celebrated in the Netherlands that have significant cultural importance but are not days off work. Nevertheless, they affect daily life, shopping, store opening hours, and the atmosphere in the workplace.

      • February 14 – Valentine’s Day (Valentijnsdag)
        A social and commercial holiday. It is not a day off work but is associated with increased activity in shops and the hospitality sector.
      • April 3 – Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag)
        For most industries, this is a regular working day. In some companies or institutions, shorter working hours or a day off may apply depending on the CAO.
      • May 5 – Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)
        A national holiday commemorating the liberation of the Netherlands. As a rule, it is not a day off every year — a day off is usually granted once every five years or according to the CAO.
      • November 1 – All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen)
        It is not a public holiday. It is mainly observed in Catholic communities and does not affect work organization.
      • December 5 – St. Nicholas’ Day (Sinterklaas)
        One of the most important family holidays in the Netherlands. It is not a day off, but in many companies small gifts are given, and in schools the day is sometimes shorter.
      • December 24 – Christmas Eve (Kerstavond) It is not a statutory day off. In some companies, shorter shifts or earlier finishing times may apply.
      • December 31 – New Year’s Eve (De jaarwisseling)
        A regular working day, although in practice many companies finish work earlier or operate on a limited schedule.

Knowing the public holidays in the Netherlands in 2026 makes it easier to plan leave and organize work. It is worth remembering that not every holiday means a day off, and the rules regarding work on holidays and possible salary supplements depend on the industry and the applicable CAO. If you are planning to work in the Netherlands, check our available job offers.

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