Public Holidays in Netherlands 2026 – National & King’s Day Holidays
The Netherlands recognizes several national public holidays, many tied to Christian observances (Easter, Ascension, Pentecost) and national events such as King’s Day and Liberation Day. Not all public holidays are legally mandated days off; actual leave depends on employment contracts or collective labour agreements (CAOs).
Travel Tip: Long weekends around King’s Day, Easter, and Pentecost are among the busiest travel periods. Visitors often plan short city breaks and countryside trips using guides from places to visit in the Netherlands, with accommodation options available through best hotels in the Netherlands.
Also Explore: Public Holidays in Nepal
Public Holidays in the Netherlands (2026)
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Remarks / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag) | National holiday |
| April 3 | Friday | Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) | Recognized; not always a mandatory day off |
| April 5 | Sunday | Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag) | National holiday |
| April 6 | Monday | Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag) | National holiday |
| April 27 | Monday | King’s Day (Koningsdag) | Celebrated on the monarch’s birthday |
| May 5 | Tuesday | Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) | National holiday; not a mandatory day off in 2026 |
| May 14 | Thursday | Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) | Christian observance; national holiday |
| May 24 | Sunday | Whit Sunday / Pentecost (Eerste Pinksterdag) | Public holiday |
| May 25 | Monday | Whit Monday / Pentecost Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag) | Public holiday |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) | National holiday |
| December 26 | Saturday | Boxing Day / St. Stephen’s Day (Tweede Kerstdag) | National holiday |
Public Holidays in the Netherlands (2025)
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Remarks / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag) | National holiday |
| April 18 | Friday | Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) | Recognized, but not always a mandated day off |
| April 20 | Sunday | Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag) | National holiday |
| April 21 | Monday | Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag) | National holiday |
| April 26 | Saturday | King’s Day (Koningsdag) | Moved from April 27 because it falls on Sunday |
| May 5 | Monday | Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) | Mandatory day off (five-year cycle) |
| May 29 | Thursday | Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) | Christian observance; national holiday |
| June 8 | Sunday | Whit Sunday / Pentecost | Public holiday |
| June 9 | Monday | Whit Monday / Pentecost Monday | Public holiday |
| December 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) | National holiday |
| December 26 | Friday | Boxing Day / Tweede Kerstdag | National holiday |
Notes & Observations
- Public holidays in the Netherlands are not automatically paid days off; this depends on employment contracts or CAOs.
- Good Friday is recognized but often treated as a normal working day in many sectors.
- Liberation Day (5 May) is only a mandatory day off once every five years (such as 2025, but not 2026).
- King’s Day moves to Saturday if 27 April falls on a Sunday.
- Remembrance Day (4 May) is widely observed but is not a public holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays are there in the Netherlands in 2026?
There are 11 official national public holidays in the Netherlands in 2026.
Is Liberation Day a mandatory day off in 2026?
No. Liberation Day is only a mandatory day off once every five years; 2026 is not part of that cycle.
Does everyone get a day off on Good Friday?
No. Whether Good Friday is a day off depends on your employment contract or collective labour agreement.
Why does King’s Day sometimes change dates?
If 27 April falls on a Sunday, King’s Day celebrations move to the preceding Saturday.
Conclusion
Public holidays in the Netherlands combine Christian traditions with national commemorations such as King’s Day and Liberation Day. Because Dutch law does not guarantee time off for every holiday, employees should always check their contracts or CAOs to confirm entitlement. Dates and observance rules may vary slightly each year, particularly for Liberation Day.
