The Netherlands observes 11 public holidays (feestdagen) per year, and while there is no statutory requirement to grant paid leave on public holidays, most employment contracts and collective agreements provide for it. In 2027, the Dutch holiday calendar includes several days that require careful scheduling.
Understanding how public holidays interact with your employment agreements and CAO (collective labour agreement) is essential for compliance and employee satisfaction.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- The Netherlands observes 11 public holidays in 2027
- There is no statutory requirement for paid public holidays — entitlements depend on employment contracts and CAOs
- Good Friday is a public holiday but most businesses remain open
- Koningsdag (King’s Day) is the most widely observed Dutch holiday
- When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is generally not transferred to another day
All 11 Public Holidays in 2027
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag) | 1 January | Friday |
| Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) | 26 March | Friday |
| Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag) | 28 March | Sunday |
| Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag) | 29 March | Monday |
| King’s Day (Koningsdag) | 27 April | Tuesday |
| Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) | 5 May | Wednesday |
| Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) | 6 May | Thursday |
| Whit Sunday (Eerste Pinksterdag) | 16 May | Sunday |
| Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag) | 17 May | Monday |
| Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) | 25 December | Saturday |
| Boxing Day (Tweede Kerstdag) | 26 December | Sunday |
Note: Easter Sunday (28 March), Whit Sunday (16 May), Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December) fall on weekends in 2027. For Sunday holidays, there is generally no automatic replacement day.
Understanding Dutch Public Holiday Law
No Statutory Entitlement
The Dutch Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) does not grant employees a statutory right to paid leave on public holidays. Entitlements are determined by:
- Employment contract (arbeidsovereenkomst)
- Collective labour agreement (CAO) if applicable
- Company policy or established custom
Most Contracts Provide Public Holiday Leave
In practice, the vast majority of Dutch employment contracts and CAOs grant paid leave on public holidays. If your employment contracts are silent on public holidays, employees are not automatically entitled to a day off — but this is unusual.
Good Friday: A Unique Case
Good Friday is a public holiday in the Netherlands, but it is not a mandatory day off. Most businesses open as usual, though some sectors close or operate with reduced staff. Your contract or CAO will specify whether Good Friday is a paid holiday for your employees.
King’s Day (Koningsdag)
King’s Day (27 April) is the most significant Dutch public holiday:
- Most businesses close
- National celebrations and street markets
- If an employee is required to work, their CAO or contract typically provides premium pay
- The date changes when the King’s actual birthday differs — but 27 April is fixed
Practical tip: Plan staffing well in advance for King’s Day. Most Dutch employees expect the day off.
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)
Liberation Day (5 May) has special rules:
- It is a public holiday every year
- Employees are entitled to a day off only in years divisible by 5 (e.g., 2025, 2030)
- In 2027 (not divisible by 5), Liberation Day is a public holiday but employees are not automatically entitled to a day off
- Check your CAO — some sectors grant the day off every year regardless
Replacement Day Rules
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday in the Netherlands:
- No automatic replacement — the holiday is generally lost
- Some CAOs provide for a replacement day on the following Monday
- Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday falling on Sundays mean employees only get Easter Monday and Whit Monday as actual days off
In 2027, the following holidays fall on Sundays:
| Holiday | Date | Replacement? |
|---|---|---|
| Easter Sunday | 28 March | No (Easter Monday is separate) |
| Whit Sunday | 16 May | No (Whit Monday is separate) |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Check your CAO |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Check your CAO |
How Public Holidays Affect Pay
Salaried Employees
Salaried employees continue to receive their full salary on public holidays that are granted as paid leave under their contract or CAO.
Hourly Employees
For hourly employees, public holiday pay depends on the contract:
- If the contract provides paid public holidays, the employee receives their average daily wage
- If the contract is silent, no additional pay is required for unworked holidays
Working on a Public Holiday
If an employee works on a public holiday, their CAO or contract typically provides for:
- Premium pay (often 150-200% of the normal hourly rate)
- A compensatory day off within a set period
- Both premium pay and a compensatory day
Always check your CAO for the specific provisions.
Common Employer Challenges
1. CAO Variation
The Netherlands has sector-specific CAOs that may differ on public holiday provisions. Identifying the correct CAO for your employees is essential.
2. Christmas and Boxing Day
Both Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a weekend in 2027. Without a CAO provision for replacement days, these holidays are lost. Plan staffing accordingly.
3. Part-Time and Zero-Hours Employees
Part-time employees are entitled to public holiday pay on a pro-rata basis. Zero-hours contract employees may have different entitlements depending on the contract terms.
4. Cross-Border Workers
Employees who live in Belgium or Germany but work in the Netherlands are entitled to Dutch public holidays for their workplace. Conversely, Dutch residents working abroad follow the public holiday calendar of their workplace country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all 11 public holidays paid days off?
Not automatically. Entitlement depends on your employment contract or CAO. Most contracts provide paid leave on most public holidays, but the specific list varies.
Is Good Friday a paid holiday?
It depends on your contract or CAO. Good Friday is a public holiday but not a mandatory paid day off under Dutch law.
What if a public holiday falls on a Sunday?
Generally, the holiday is lost with no automatic replacement. Some CAOs provide for a replacement day on the following Monday.
Do employees on holiday accrue public holiday entitlement?
Yes. Employees on annual leave continue to accrue public holiday entitlements. If a public holiday falls during their holiday, it does not count as a day of annual leave.
Can an employer require employees to work on a public holiday?
Yes, unless the employment contract or CAO prohibits it. The employee is entitled to whatever compensation the contract or CAO specifies.