The Netherlands continues to attract the attention of many economic migrants. In 2022, a large part of the offers published on europa.jobs concerned employment in the Netherlands. Every employee has the right to know when they are entitled to a day off. Check days off and holidays in the Netherlands in 2023.
Days off and Holidays in the Netherlands 2023
Below you can see a list of days off and holidays in the Netherlands that are valid in 2023:
| Holiday | Date |
| New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaar) | 1.01 (Sunday) |
| Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) | 7.04 (Friday) |
| Easter (Eerste Pasdag) | 9.04 (Sunday) |
| Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag) | 10.04 (Monday) |
| King’s Day (Koningsdag) | 27.04 (Thursday) |
| Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) | 5.05 (Friday) |
| Ascension of the Lord (Hemelvaartsdag) | 18.05 (Thursday) |
| Pentecost (Eerste Pinkstersdag) | 28.05 (Sunday) |
| Pentecostal Monday (Tweede Pinkstersdag) | 29.05 (Monday) |
| Christmas (Kerstdag) | 25-26.12 (Monday-Tuesday) |
How to prepare for work in the Netherlands? Necessary formalities
The Netherlands is one of the most secularized countries in Europe. According to the latest figures, more than half of the inhabitants of the Netherlands do not belong to any religious group. But the largest group of believers are Catholics (approx. 26%), therefore, a large part of the holidays that are celebrated in most European countries, are also celebrated in the Netherlands. However, most often these will not be non-working days.
Important! Labor Day (1.05) is not celebrated in the Netherlands.
King’s Day and Liberation Day – the most important public holidays in the Netherlands
King’s Day – a public holiday that is celebrated on the birthday of King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander (27.04.2023). It is a statutory non-working day. Usually on this day, various festivals and concerts are organized. During the celebration of this day, residents should put on their best orange-colored outfits, as it is the color of the ruling family in the Netherlands.
Check Non-working days and public holidays in Belgium 2023
Liberation Day is celebrated on 5.05, it commemorates the end of the Nazi occupation. Interestingly, on this day employees of the state administration have a day off, and the rest – only every 5 years.
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Popular Holidays in the Netherlands 2023
As mentioned at the beginning, in the Netherlands there are far fewer non-working days, compared to other EU countries. Below you can check popular holidays in the Netherlands, which are normal working days.
| Holiday | Date |
| Valentine’s Day (Valentijnsdag) | 14.02 (Tuesday) |
| Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) | 7.04 (Friday) |
| Memorial Day (Dodenherdenking) | 4.05 (Thursday) |
| Mother’s Day (Moederdag) | 8.05 (Monday) |
| Father’s Day (Vaderdag) | 19.06 (Monday) |
| All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen) | 1.11 (Wednesday) |
| St. Nicholas’s Day (Sinterklaas Dag) | 5-6.12 (Tuesday – Wednesday) |
| Christmas Eve (Kerstavond) | 24.12 (Sunday) |
| New Year’s Eve (Oudejaarsavond) | 31.12 (Sunday) |
Seasonal work in the Netherlands – what is worth paying attention to?
When to go on vacation while working in the Netherlands?
Despite the fact that the Dutch definitely have fewer days off, you can easily plan a longer vacation using as few vacation days as possible.
- Easter (7-10.04)
- Liberation Day (4-07.05)
- Ascension of the Lord (18-21.05)
- Pentecost (26-29.05)
- Christmas (25.12 – 1.01)
Are you wondering about going to work in the Netherlands?
