How Many Bank Holidays Does the Netherlands Have? A Complete Guide for 2024 and Beyond

Hello everyone, I am your dedicated public holiday assistant. Recently, a little friend consulted me about the topic of how many bank holidays in the Netherlands. Now I will summarize the relevant info, hoping to help the little friends who want to know exactly what to expect when planning around Dutch holidays.

So, here’s the deal: the Netherlands doesn’t have a ton of public holidays compared to some other countries, but the ones they do have are pretty solid. Officially, there are seven national public holidays that are recognized across the country. But that number can sometimes feel like eight if you count Liberation Day, which is a little tricky. Most folks in the Netherlands refer to these as “public holidays” rather than “bank holidays” – but since banks and most businesses are closed on these days, the term still fits.

First up, let me break down the standard seven: New Year’s Day (January 1), Easter Monday (the day after Easter Sunday), King’s Day (April 27 – if that falls on a Sunday, they celebrate it on the 26th), Ascension Day (40 days after Easter), Whit Monday (the Monday after Pentecost), Christmas Day (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 26, which they call Second Christmas Day). That’s the core seven. All of these are paid public holidays for most employees, meaning you get the day off with full pay.

Now, Liberation Day on May 5 is a bit of a wild card. It’s a national public holiday, but it’s only a paid day off once every five years – specifically in years ending in a 0 or a 5 (like 2025, 2030, etc.). In other years, it’s still a holiday, but most people have to work unless their employer decides to give it off. So technically, if you’re counting bank holidays where banks are closed, you’ll find that banks are usually closed on Liberation Day every year (because it’s a recognized holiday), but for workers, it’s not always a day off. So the answer to “how many bank holidays” can be seven or eight depending on the year.

One thing that trips people up: the Netherlands does not have a tradition of “day in lieu” if a holiday falls on a weekend. So if Christmas lands on a Saturday, you don’t automatically get Friday or Monday off instead. Some employers might be nice about it, but it’s not a legal requirement. That means the actual number of paid days off per year can vary slightly. Also, Good Friday is not a national holiday in the Netherlands – it’s observed by some Christian businesses and schools, but it’s not a mandatory day off for everyone.

Another quirky thing: the Netherlands has a few regional holidays that aren’t national. For example, in the northern provinces, there’s a fun celebration called “Groningen’s Liberation Day” or something similar, but that’s more local. And of course, Carnival is huge in the southern Catholic regions, but it’s not an official public holiday – schools and some businesses close, but not banks. So when we talk strictly about bank holidays (meaning national public holidays when banks and most government offices shut down), you’re looking at that core seven.

For 2024, let’s do a quick run-through: New Year’s Day (Monday), Easter Monday (April 1 – yes, April Fools’ Day!), King’s Day (April 27 – Saturday, so no extra day off for most people), Ascension Day (May 9), Whit Monday (May 20), Liberation Day (May 5 – Sunday, and because 2024 doesn’t end in 0 or 5, it’s not a paid day off unless your boss is generous), Christmas Day (Wednesday), and Boxing Day (Thursday). So in 2024, if you’re lucky enough to have a boss that gives Liberation Day off, you’ll get eight paid days. If not, it’s seven.

Questions related to how many bank holidays in the Netherlands

Here are some common questions I hear: “Are Dutch banks closed on all public holidays?” Yes, banks are closed on all the seven national holidays, and typically on Liberation Day too, even if it’s not a paid day off for workers. “Do I get a day off if a holiday falls on a weekend?” Generally no, but some collective labor agreements (CAO) might give you a substitute day – check your contract. “Is Good Friday a bank holiday?” No, it’s not – most businesses and banks stay open. “What about New Year’s Eve?” That’s not a public holiday either – most places close early but it’s not a mandatory day off. “Are there any differences for expats or international workers?” No, the rules apply to everyone working in the Netherlands.

Also, if you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, keep in mind that on King’s Day (April 27), the whole country basically parties – public transport is crazy, and many museums or attractions might have special hours. On Ascension Day and Whit Monday, a lot of people take a long weekend. And around Christmas, expect most things to be closed on the 25th and 26th. If you’re a business traveler, avoid those days for meetings unless you’re okay with empty offices.

One more thing: the Dutch vacation entitlement is generous (minimum four weeks per year for full-time workers), so many people use their personal days to bridge between holidays and weekends. That’s why you’ll see a lot of “bridge days” (brugdagen) taken off, especially around Ascension Day and Whit Monday. But that’s not an official holiday – it’s just smart planning.

In summary, the Netherlands has a solid seven national public holidays every year, with an eighth (Liberation Day) that counts as a paid day off only every five years. Banks are closed on all of these, so if you’re counting “bank holidays” in the traditional sense, it’s seven. But remember: no automatic compensation for holidays on weekends, and regional celebrations aren’t official days off. Always double-check the official calendar from the Dutch government for the exact dates, since Easter and related holidays move around.

Thank you for reading, I hope this article can help you fully understand how many bank holidays in the Netherlands. If you have more questions – maybe about specific years, or about how holidays affect your work contract – please contact us. I’m your Holiday Little Assistant, and I’m always here to help you plan your days off!