Netherlands Public Holidays 2026
The Netherlands marks 11 official public holidays in 2026. King's Day (Koningsdag) on Monday April 27 creates a natural three-day weekend. Easter provides a four-day break (April 3–6), while Ascension Day (Thursday May 14) offers the traditional four-day bridge weekend. Liberation Day (May 5) is a standard working day under most private CAOs this year.
At a glance
Netherlands has 11 official public holidays (11 days off) in 2026 and 4 long weekends; the longest break is Easter (Apr 3 – 6, 4 days).
| Public holidays | 11 |
|---|---|
| Total days off | 11 |
| Longest break | Easter · 4 days (Apr 3 – 6) |
| Long weekends | 4 |
Official public holidays
New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Good Friday (April 3, 2026), Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026), Easter Monday (April 6, 2026), King's Day (April 27, 2026), Liberation Day (May 5, 2026), Ascension Day (May 14, 2026), Whit Sunday (May 24, 2026), Whit Monday (May 25, 2026), Christmas Day (December 25, 2026), Second Christmas Day (December 26, 2026)
Netherlands public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good FridayObserved by schools, banks, and civil service; private sector depends on CAO.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | Easter SundayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter MondayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 27, 2026 | Monday | King's DayFalls on Monday — three-day weekend celebration across the country.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 5, 2026 | Tuesday | Liberation DayOfficial holiday but not a mandatory paid day off in 2026 under most CAOs.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Ascension DayAlways on Thursday — prime 4-day bridge weekend opportunity.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | Whit SundayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Whit MondayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| December 26, 2026 | Saturday | Second Christmas DayFalls on Saturday — no automatic Monday substitute under general law.Public holiday | Public holiday |
Official holidays
11
Monday holidays
3
King's Day break
Apr 25–27 · 3 days
Longest break
Easter · 4 days
2026 Netherlands calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
Netherlands long weekends in 2026
Easter
4 daysApr 3 – 6
Good Friday through Easter Monday four-day break.
King's Day
3 daysApr 25 – 27
King's Day on Monday April 27 creates a 3-day weekend.
Whit Monday
3 daysMay 23 – 25
Whit Monday (May 25) extends the weekend by one day.
Christmas Day & Second Christmas Day
3 daysDec 25 – 27
Dutch public holiday system: understanding CAOs and entitlements
In the Netherlands, public holidays are recognized by the central government, but the statutory Labor Code (Arbeidstijdenwet) does not mandate that employees must receive a day off work. Whether an employee enjoys paid leave depends entirely on the collective labor agreement (CAO) applicable to their business sector or the specific terms in their employment contract.
National institutions, municipal governments, educational organizations, and financial firms typically follow the civil calendar and close on all 11 holidays. Retail, transport, healthcare, and hospitality sectors routinely remain open, often compensating staff with premium wage rates or alternative paid leave days as stipulated by their respective CAOs.
Ascension Day bridge (Hemelvaartsdag): the Dutch weekend habit
Ascension Day always falls on the 40th day of Easter (a Thursday). In the Netherlands, it is customary for employees to take Friday off using one day of annual holiday entitlement, creating a four-day mini-break known colloquially as a "brugdag" (bridge day). Many schools across the country take Friday as an official school closure day.
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Official sources & data
- Which days are official public holidays in the Netherlands? - Government.nlVisit sourceGovernment of the Netherlands
- Public holidays - Business.gov.nlVisit sourceNetherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK)
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest holiday break in Netherlands in 2026?
The longest break in Netherlands is Easter (Apr 3 – 6, 4 days).
What are the official public holidays in Netherlands in 2026?
Netherlands has 11 official public holidays in 2026: New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Good Friday (April 3, 2026), Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026), Easter Monday (April 6, 2026), King's Day (April 27, 2026), Liberation Day (May 5, 2026), Ascension Day (May 14, 2026), Whit Sunday (May 24, 2026), Whit Monday (May 25, 2026), Christmas Day (December 25, 2026), Second Christmas Day (December 26, 2026).
What date is King's Day in the Netherlands in 2026?
King's Day is celebrated on Monday 27 April 2026, creating a three-day national holiday weekend with festivities, street markets (vrijmarkt), and concerts.
Do Dutch employees get substitute days off for weekend holidays?
No statutory substitute days exist in general Dutch law. If Boxing Day or any other holiday falls on a weekend, employees generally do not receive an extra weekday off unless specifically stated in their CAO.
Is Liberation Day (May 5) a paid public holiday in 2026?
Liberation Day is recognized as a national holiday every year, but in 2026 (a non-5-year anniversary), most private-sector workers in the Netherlands treat it as an ordinary working day.
Are shops and supermarkets open on Dutch public holidays?
On New Year’s Day and Christmas Day, most shops and large supermarkets are closed. On other holidays like Easter Monday, King’s Day, and Ascension Day, supermarkets typically open with Sunday trading hours.
How many long weekends are there in the Netherlands in 2026?
There are three natural long weekends in 2026: Easter (4 days, April 3–6), King’s Day (3 days, April 25–27), and Whit Monday (3 days, May 23–25), plus the Ascension Day 4-day bridge opportunity.
