Day off on a Dutch public holiday: what applies to you?
A day off on a public holiday is yours only if your agreement, contract or employer says so; Dutch law does not.
Whit Monday 2027, employee at a company
Usually off
Monday, 17 May 2027. A day off at most companies; check your collective agreement or contract.
Example with typical figures — change any figure to see your own result
| Employee at a company | Usually off |
| Civil servant | Day off |
| Pupil, student or parent | Usually off |
No law turns a public holiday into a day off. Your collective agreement or contract decides; the government only describes what is usual.
| Holiday | Date | Day off? |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Fri 1 January | No separate government guidance |
| Good Friday | Fri 26 March | Usually a working day |
| Easter Sunday | Sun 28 March | Sunday |
| Easter Monday | Mon 29 March | Usually off |
| King's Day | Tue 27 April | Usually off |
| Liberation Day | Wed 5 May | Depends on your agreement |
| Ascension Day | Thu 6 May | Usually off |
| Whit Sunday | Sun 16 May | Sunday |
| Whit Monday | Mon 17 May | Usually off |
| Christmas Day | Sat 25 December | No separate government guidance |
| Boxing Day (Second Christmas Day) | Sun 26 December | No separate government guidance |
Prepared by Radif Partners · Method · checked on 13 November 2026
Many people assume an official public holiday is automatically a day off. It is not: no Dutch law says employees are off on a holiday. That is settled by the collective labour agreement (cao) that employers and unions sign per sector or company, or otherwise by your employment contract. The government describes what is usual for each holiday. Of the eleven official holidays it calls 4 a day off at most companies: Easter Monday, King's Day, Ascension Day and Whit Monday. Civil servants are off on those days. On Good Friday you will probably work; on Liberation Day not everyone is off. Schools close on nearly all of these days. In 2027, 7 of the eleven holidays fall on a weekday. The tool above gives the answer and the source for each holiday, year and situation.
Day off on a public holiday in 2027: overview by situation
| Holiday | Date 2027 | Employee | Civil servant | Pupil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Friday | 26 March 2027 | Usually a working day | Usually a working day | Usually off |
| Easter Monday | 29 March 2027 | Usually off | Day off | Usually off |
| King's Day | 27 April 2027 | Usually off | Day off | Usually off |
| Liberation Day | 5 May 2027 | Depends on your agreement | Depends on your agreement | Usually off |
| Ascension Day | 6 May 2027 | Usually off | Day off | Usually off |
| Whit Monday | 17 May 2027 | Usually off | Day off | Usually off |
Each row follows the government Q&A page for that day, for example on Ascension Day or Liberation Day. For civil servants the government mentions possible exceptions in the police, defence and academic hospitals.
Where to be sure
Look up your agreement, or ask your employer which one applies. It lists the recognised holidays and, in rostered sectors, the premium for working them. The government explains what a cao is and whom it covers.
Am I off? Pick your situation and the holiday
Example: King's Day for an employee at a company — change any figure to see your own result
King's Day 2027
Usually off
| DateTuesday, 27 April 2027 | |
| Civil servant | Day off |
| Pupil, student or parent | Usually off |
According to the government’s question-and-answer pages; your agreement decides.
A holiday at the weekend is not compensated in the Netherlands. How many working days remain is on working days 2027.