Dutch School Holidays 2025-2026 + 2026-2027

School holidays 2025/2026

Upcoming

🌸

May break NOW

1 week statutory — including King’s Day + 1 May

Same for the whole Netherlands

▾

25 Apr – 3 May 2026

Statutory across the Netherlands. No regional split.

💡 Tips for the break

Statutory across all three regions. Includes King’s Day (Monday 27 April) and Labour Day (Friday 1 May). Many schools extend with the advisory week 18-26 April (see 2nd May break). Combination gives 16 days off (18 April — 3 May) — perfect for a longer holiday.

● Currently ongoing

☀️

Summer holiday

6 weeks — statutory; in 2026 Noord starts first

3 schedules

▾

4 Jul – 16 Aug 2026

Noord: 4 Jul — 16 Aug

11 Jul – 23 Aug 2026

Zuid: 11 Jul — 23 Aug

18 Jul – 30 Aug 2026

Midden: 18 Jul — 30 Aug

💡 Tips for the break

Statutory. 2026 rotation: Noord starts first (4 July), Zuid in the middle (11 July), Midden last (18 July). The rotation changes annually — in 2027 the order is Noord → Midden → Zuid. Classic destinations: France (Dordogne, Provence camping), the Veluwe, Texel, Italy, Spain. For those staying home: Lowlands, Pinkpop, North Sea Jazz Festival.

65 days to start

Past

🍂

Autumn break

Week 42 or 43 — advisory week per region

also known as Krokusvakantie (south)

3 schedules

▾

11–19 Oct 2025 W 42

Zuid: 11 — 19 Oct

18–26 Oct 2025 W 43

Midden: 18 — 26 Oct

18–26 Oct 2025 W 43

Noord: 18 — 26 Oct

💡 Tips for the break

OCW advisory dates. Zuid starts a week earlier than Noord and Midden. Schools may deviate — check the school guide. Classic autumn week with pumpkins, Halloween decorations, autumn colours in the forests, and a trip to the Veluwe or the Twente landscape.

📅 Past

🎄

Christmas break

2 weeks — statutory, no regional split

Same for the whole Netherlands

▾

20 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026

Statutory across the Netherlands — all three regions (Noord, Midden, Zuid) have the same dates.

💡 Tips for the break

Two weeks around Christmas and New Year — statutory across the Netherlands. Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day fall within this break. Ideal for the Christmas markets in Maastricht, Tilburg, Amsterdam and Den Bosch, or a winter sports trip to Austria or France.

📅 Past

🌷

Spring break (Carnival break)

Carnival week for Midden + Zuid; Noord one week later

also known as Krokusvakantie / Carnival break

3 schedules

▾

14–22 Feb 2026

Midden: 14 — 22 Feb

14–22 Feb 2026

Zuid: 14 — 22 Feb

21 Feb – 1 Mar 2026

Noord: 21 Feb — 1 Mar

💡 Tips for the break

Advisory dates. Carnival 2026 (15-17 February) falls precisely within the advisory week for Midden and Zuid — perfect for Catholic families in Brabant and Limburg. Noord has its break a week later. In the Catholic south this week is also called "carnival break", in Limburg "vastelaovendsvakantie".

📅 Past

🌷

2nd May break (optional)

Advisory week — optional, for 2-week May break

Same for the whole Netherlands

▾

18–26 Apr 2026

Advisory week for the whole Netherlands — optional, not all schools follow.

💡 Tips for the break

OCW advisory dates for schools that take a 2-week May break. Combines with the statutory May break to 18 April — 3 May (16 days). Not all schools follow this advisory week — check the school guide. Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Monday (6 April) fall outside this week, so three weeks of school-free days for those who combine all three.

📅 Past

School holidays 2026/2027

🍂

Autumn break

Noord one week earlier than Midden + Zuid

also known as Krokusvakantie (south)

3 schedules

▾

10–18 Oct 2026 W 41

Noord: 10 — 18 Oct

17–25 Oct 2026 W 42

Midden: 17 — 25 Oct

17–25 Oct 2026 W 42

Zuid: 17 — 25 Oct

💡 Tips for the break

OCW advisory dates. Noord starts a week earlier this year (10 October) — opposite to 2025. Midden + Zuid have the same week (17-25 October). Good time for pumpkin picking on the farm, autumn walks on the Veluwe, or a city trip to Prague or Berlin.

163 days to start

🎄

Christmas break

2 weeks — statutory, no regional split

Same for the whole Netherlands

▾

19 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027

Statutory across the Netherlands — all three regions identical.

💡 Tips for the break

Two weeks around Christmas and New Year. Applies to all regions in the Netherlands. Christmas Day falls on a Friday in 2026 — perfect Christmas weekend. Ideal for winter sports, Christmas markets or a quiet family week at home.

233 days to start

🌷

Spring break

Zuid one week earlier; Carnival falls outside Zuid week

also known as Krokusvakantie

3 schedules

▾

13–21 Feb 2027

Zuid: 13 — 21 Feb

20–28 Feb 2027

Noord: 20 — 28 Feb

20–28 Feb 2027

Midden: 20 — 28 Feb

💡 Tips for the break

Advisory dates. NOTE: Carnival 2027 (7-9 February) falls OUTSIDE the advisory week for Zuid (13-21 February). Catholic schools in Brabant and Limburg may deviate to take 6-14 February instead — check the school guide. Noord and Midden coincide (20-28 February).

289 days to start

🌸

May break

Statutory — 1 week, including King’s Day

Same for the whole Netherlands

▾

24 Apr – 2 May 2027

Statutory across the Netherlands.

💡 Tips for the break

Statutory across the Netherlands. Includes King’s Day (Tuesday 27 April). Many schools extend with the advisory week 1-9 May (see 2nd May break). The combination gives 16 consecutive days off — perfect timing because Ascension Day falls on Thursday 6 May and Liberation Day on Wednesday 5 May!

359 days to start

🌷

2nd May break (optional)

Advisory week AFTER the statutory May break

Same for the whole Netherlands

▾

1–9 May 2027

Advisory week for the whole Netherlands — optional.

💡 Tips for the break

Advisory dates. Different from 2026: this advisory week falls AFTER the statutory May break. Includes Liberation Day (5 May) and Ascension Day (6 May). Combination with the statutory May break gives 16 days off — 24 April through 9 May. Major SEO opportunity: this is the "16-day May stretch" of 2027.

366 days to start

☀️

Summer holiday

6 weeks — Noord first, Zuid last

3 schedules

▾

10 Jul – 22 Aug 2027

Noord: 10 Jul — 22 Aug

17 Jul – 29 Aug 2027

Midden: 17 Jul — 29 Aug

24 Jul – 5 Sep 2027

Zuid: 24 Jul — 5 Sep

💡 Tips for the break

Statutory. Different rotation than 2026: Noord → Midden → Zuid. Zuid is the last region this year, with holidays until Saturday 5 September. The construction-industry break (bouwvak) starts around week 28 in Noord, week 30 in Midden, and week 31 in Zuid.

436 days to start

Dutch school holidays 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 — by region Noord, Midden, Zuid

Dutch school holidays are spread across three regions — Noord, Midden and Zuid — to reduce vacation pressure on motorways, airports and holiday parks. The summer holiday follows a rotation schedule that changes annually: in 2026, Region Noord starts first on Saturday 4 July, followed by Zuid on 11 July and Midden last on 18 July. In 2027 the order changes: Noord (10 July) → Midden (17 July) → Zuid (24 July). The summer and Christmas breaks are statutorily set by OCW (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science) — schools may not deviate. The spring, autumn, May and optional 2nd May breaks are advisory dates: schools may deviate in consultation with the participation council (medezeggenschapsraad).

A school’s region is determined by its location — not the student’s home address. Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Flevoland (except Zeewolde) and the entire province of North Holland (including Amsterdam) fall in Region Noord. Limburg, Zeeland and North Brabant form Region Zuid. Utrecht and South Holland belong to Region Midden, and Gelderland is split across all three regions. In 2026 Carnival (15-17 February) falls precisely within the spring break for Midden and Zuid (14-22 February) — perfect for Catholic families — while Region Noord has its break a week later (21 February — 1 March). In 2027 Carnival (7-9 February) falls outside the advisory week for Zuid (13-21 February); Catholic schools in Brabant and Limburg may therefore deviate to 6-14 February.

Frequently asked questions — school holidays

What is my region for school holidays? ▾

The region is determined by the school’s location (NOT your home address). Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Flevoland and all of North Holland (incl. Amsterdam) fall in Region Noord. Limburg, Zeeland and North Brabant form Region Zuid. Utrecht and South Holland belong to Midden. Gelderland is split across all three regions — for example Apeldoorn in Midden, Nijmegen in Zuid, Hattem in Noord. When in doubt: check your school’s website or the school guide.

When is the summer holiday in 2026 in my region? ▾

In 2026 the summer holidays start as follows: Region Noord (Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, North Holland, Overijssel, Flevoland) starts first on Saturday 4 July and ends Sunday 16 August. Region Zuid (Limburg, Zeeland, Brabant) follows on 11 July — 23 August. Region Midden (Utrecht, South Holland, central Gelderland) is last this year: 18 July — 30 August. The rotation changes annually: in 2027 the order is Noord → Midden → Zuid.

May my school deviate from the advisory dates? ▾

Yes, for the advisory holidays (autumn break, spring break, 2nd May break) schools may deviate — in consultation with the participation council (medezeggenschapsraad, MR) and with communication via the school guide. The statutorily set holidays (summer break, Christmas break, 1st May break) always apply and may not be adjusted. Roman-Catholic schools in Brabant and Limburg may deviate from the Zuid spring break in 2027 because Carnival (7-9 February) falls outside the advisory week.

Does each region really have 6 weeks of summer holiday? ▾

Yes — all three regions have equal-length summer holidays of about 6 weeks (44 days exactly); only the start and end dates differ. The 1-week stagger means the entire summer period covers 8 weeks instead of 6. This is statutorily set by OCW and substantially reduces vacation pressure on motorways, airports and holiday parks.

What is the difference between statutorily set and advisory? ▾

Statutorily set are summer break, Christmas break and 1st May break — schools MUST follow these dates. Advisory dates are the autumn break, spring break and 2nd May break — schools MAY deviate in consultation with the MR. In practice the vast majority of schools follow the advisory dates, because the spread aligns with regional childcare (KDV/BSO) and because deviating creates extra work.

Why are there three different regions? ▾

The vacation spread was introduced in 1986 by OCW to reduce vacation pressure on motorways, airports and holiday parks. Before 1986, the entire Netherlands had simultaneous 6-week summer holidays — which resulted in extreme traffic jams towards France and Germany and peak prices for vacation accommodations. The current Noord-Midden-Zuid spread with annual rotation distributes this pressure over 8 weeks, and is highly valued by all European holiday destinations.

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