Public holidays in the Netherlands (feestdagen) are 11 officially recognised days each year when employees are entitled to time off. Unlike many European countries, Dutch public holidays are not all mandated by national law — only one (Good Friday) was a legal public holiday until 2024, when King’s Day was added. The remaining holidays are governed by collective agreements and individual employment contracts.
As an employer, you need to know which holidays apply to your team, how to pay for them, and what happens when a holiday falls on a weekend. This guide covers all Dutch public holidays for 2026 and your obligations under Dutch employment law.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organisation.
2026 Dutch Public Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag) | 5 April | Sunday |
| Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag) | 6 April | Monday |
| King’s Day (Koningsdag) | 27 April | Monday |
| Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) | 5 May | Tuesday |
| Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) | 14 May | Thursday |
| Whit Sunday (Pinksteren) | 24 May | Sunday |
| Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag) | 25 May | Monday |
| Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day (Tweede Kerstdag) | 26 December | Saturday |
Note: Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday fall on Sundays in 2026. Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday. Check your collective agreement for how these are handled.
Which Holidays Are Legally Mandatory?
The Dutch Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) mandates only one public holiday: Good Friday. However, collective agreements (cao) almost universally include additional holidays. In practice, most Dutch employees receive time off on all 11 holidays.
Legal vs. Customary Holidays
| Category | Holidays |
|---|---|
| Legally mandated | Good Friday |
| Included in most cao agreements | New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, King’s Day, Liberation Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day |
| Not universally guaranteed | Easter Sunday, Whit Sunday |
Check your collective agreement to confirm which holidays your employees are entitled to.
How to Pay Employees on Public Holidays
Public Holiday Falls on a Working Day
If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work:
- Salaried employees receive their regular salary
- Hourly employees receive pay for their scheduled hours
- You cannot deduct the holiday from annual leave
Public Holiday Falls on a Non-Working Day
If a public holiday falls on a day the employee doesn’t normally work (e.g., a Saturday or Sunday), the general rule is:
- The employee is not entitled to a substitute day
- Exception: If the collective agreement provides for a substitute day, you must grant it
Calculating a Day’s Pay
For daily-paid employees:
- Fixed salary: Monthly salary ÷ average working days per month (typically 21.75)
- Hourly employees: Hours normally worked on that day × hourly rate
- Irregular hours: Average of the last 12 weeks
Example: An employee earning €48,000/year works Monday to Friday. King’s Day (27 April) falls on a Monday. Their daily pay is €48,000 ÷ 220 working days = €218.18.
Working on Public Holidays
Dutch law does not prohibit work on public holidays. However:
- Collective agreements often require premium pay for holiday work
- Sector-specific rules may apply (healthcare, hospitality, retail)
- Employee consent is generally required unless the contract specifies otherwise
Common Premium Rates
| Sector | Premium |
|---|---|
| Retail (cao Retail) | 150% of hourly rate |
| Hospitality (cao Horeca) | 150% of hourly rate |
| Healthcare (cao VVT) | Varies, typically 150-200% |
| Government | 150% of hourly rate |
Always check your specific collective agreement for the applicable rate.
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)
Liberation Day (5 May) deserves special attention. It’s a national holiday celebrated every 5 years with full recognition (the next full celebration is 2030). In non-celebration years, it’s a working day for most employees unless:
- Your collective agreement grants the day off
- Your employment contract includes it
- The government declares it a day off (which happens in celebration years)
In 2026, Liberation Day is a standard working day for most employees.
Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag)
Since 2024, Good Friday has been a legal public holiday in the Netherlands. All employees are entitled to time off on Good Friday, regardless of their religion or collective agreement. If an employee is required to work, they must receive a substitute day or premium pay.
Easter and Whit Sunday
Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday fall on Sundays in 2026. For employees who don’t work Sundays, these holidays have no practical impact. For employees who do work Sundays, the collective agreement may provide additional compensation.
Common Mistakes
Not Checking the Collective Agreement
The Dutch system relies heavily on collective agreements. An employee covered by a cao that includes Liberation Day must receive it off, even if it’s not a legal public holiday.
Forgetting Boxing Day
Boxing Day (Tweede Kerstdag) is 26 December. In 2026, it falls on a Saturday. If your employees don’t normally work Saturdays, you may need to provide a substitute day depending on your cao.
Confusing Liberation Day
Liberation Day is not automatically a day off in non-celebration years. Don’t assume your employees get it unless your cao or contract says so.
Key Takeaways
- The Netherlands observes 11 public holidays, but only Good Friday is legally mandated
- Most holidays are governed by collective agreements — always check your cao
- Public holidays on non-working days generally don’t entitle employees to a substitute day
- Liberation Day is a working day in 2026 unless your cao provides otherwise
- Premium pay for working on public holidays varies by sector and collective agreement
- Public holidays during annual leave extend the leave period
Managing Dutch public holidays across a team with varying schedules and collective agreements requires careful tracking. Leave Balance automates holiday calendars and ensures every employee gets their correct entitlements.