Planning your year in the Netherlands? Understanding the official public holidays is your first step. This guide gives you the clear, friendly facts you need. We’ll walk you through the official holiday list for the coming years, explain unique celebrations like King’s Day (Koningsdag), and answer a crucial question: do you have a legal right to a day off work? Let’s make planning your Netherlands holidays simple and stress-free.
Official Public Holidays in the Netherlands
The list of public holidays Netherlands observes includes national and Christian celebrations. It’s important to know that not all festive observance days, like Sinterklaas, are official statutory days off. The dates for moving holidays like Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) and Whit Monday (Pinksteren) change annually, so having a forward-looking calendar is key for anyone managing schedules, working hours, or deadline extensions.
Netherlands Bank Holidays for 2026
Here is your complete Netherlands public holidays list with English and Dutch names for 2026.
| Date | Day | Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag) |
| 3 Apr 2026 | Friday | Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) |
| 5 Apr 2026 | Sunday | Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag) |
| 6 Apr 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag) |
| 27 Apr 2026 | Monday | King’s Day (Koningsdag) |
| 5 May 2026 | Tuesday | Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) |
| 14 May 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) |
| 24 May 2026 | Sunday | Whit Sunday (Eerste Pinksterdag) |
| 25 May 2026 | Monday | Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag) |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) |
| 26 Dec 2026 | Saturday | Boxing Day (Second Day of Christmas / Tweede Kerstdag) |
Netherlands Bank Holidays for 2027
Plan ahead with the Netherlands Bank Holidays 2027 calendar.
| Date | Day | Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag) |
| 26 Mar 2027 | Friday | Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) |
| 28 Mar 2027 | Sunday | Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag) |
| 29 Mar 2027 | Monday | Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag) |
| 27 Apr 2027 | Tuesday | King’s Day (Koningsdag) |
| 5 May 2027 | Wednesday | Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) |
| 6 May 2027 | Thursday | Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) |
| 16 May 2027 | Sunday | Whit Sunday (Eerste Pinksterdag) |
| 17 May 2027 | Monday | Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag) |
| 25 Dec 2027 | Saturday | Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) |
| 26 Dec 2027 | Sunday | Boxing Day (Second Day of Christmas / Tweede Kerstdag) |
Need Help with UK Bank Holidays?
Have questions about upcoming UK bank holidays or planning time off? Get expert guidance from Coming Holidays and plan your year with clarity and confidence.
Netherlands Bank Holidays for 2028
Looking further ahead? Here are the Netherlands Bank Holidays 2028.
| Date | Day | Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2028 | Saturday | New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag) |
| 14 Apr 2028 | Friday | Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) |
| 16 Apr 2028 | Sunday | Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag) |
| 17 Apr 2028 | Monday | Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag) |
| 27 Apr 2028 | Thursday | King’s Day (Koningsdag) |
| 5 May 2028 | Friday | Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) |
| 25 May 2028 | Thursday | Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) |
| 4 Jun 2028 | Sunday | Whit Sunday (Eerste Pinksterdag) |
| 5 Jun 2028 | Monday | Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag) |
| 25 Dec 2028 | Monday | Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) |
| 26 Dec 2028 | Tuesday | Boxing Day (Second Day of Christmas / Tweede Kerstdag) |
Key Dutch Holidays Explained
Two holidays often raise questions. First, King’s Day (Koningsdag) on April 27th is the nation’s vibrant orange-filled national day. Second, Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) on May 5th is a unique public sector holiday. This means many government offices and schools are closed, but whether you get a day off work depends largely on your collective labour agreement.
Your Rights: Public Holidays and Work
Here’s a key fact for your working hours: in the Netherlands, there is no general legal right to paid leave on official public holidays. Your entitlement to a right to a day off is determined by your collective labour agreement (CAO) or individual employment contract. This is a fundamental difference from many other countries and is crucial for collective labour agreement public holidays planning.
Observances and Other Important Dates
Beyond the statutory days off, the Dutch calendar is rich with observance days. Remembrance Day on May 4th is a solemn national moment. In December, the festive St Nicholas Day (Sinterklaas) on December 5th is a beloved tradition, though not an official holiday. Knowing these dates helps you understand the full rhythm of Dutch life.
Plan Your Year with Confidence
Explore the complete list of countries’ bank holidays and stay ahead with accurate dates, smart planning, and stress-free travel and work schedules.
For absolute certainty on legal and employment matters, always refer to official sources.
- Official Government Portal: Government.nl – Public Holidays
- Wikipedia Overview: Public Holidays in the Netherlands
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We hope this friendly guide empowers you to navigate the Netherlands Bank Holidays with confidence. Remember, the key to a smooth experience is checking your specific collective labour agreement for your right to a day off.
Ready to plan your unforgettable year? Bookmark this page from Coming Holidays for your essential Netherlands holidays reference!
FAQs
Are shops open on public holidays?
It depends. Many smaller shops may close, especially on Good Friday and King’s Day, but larger supermarkets and shops in major cities often have reduced hours. It’s always best to check locally.
What if a holiday falls on a weekend?
If a holiday like Christmas Day falls on a weekend, there is no automatic substitute weekday off. The holiday is simply observed on that Saturday or Sunday.
Is Liberation Day a free day off for everyone?
No. Liberation Day Netherlands is a public sector holiday. Employees in the public sector generally have it off, but for others, it depends on their company’s policy or collective labour agreement.
Do these holidays affect payment deadlines?
Yes, they can. According to Netherlands holiday deadline rules for payments, if a legal or contractual deadline falls on an official public holiday or weekend, it is typically extended to the next working day.
What is the biggest holiday in the Netherlands?
King’s Day (Koningsdag)Â on April 27th is widely considered the largest national celebration, known for its nationwide street markets, parties, and sea of orange.