Netherlands school holidays 2026–2027 vs UK
The Netherlands is one of Britain's closest neighbours, with Amsterdam, the tulip fields and the coast all popular family destinations. Dutch schools break for summer on 18 July 2026, several weeks before most English schools. Dutch holidays follow a staggered regional system that creates real price differences depending on which week you travel.
Find your quietest window
School holiday data from 218 UK councils · 4 nations · 18 EU countries
UK holidays vs Dutch school holidays
Clash = significant overlap with Dutch holidays: busy resorts and higher prices. Clear = UK schools off, Dutch schools in: quieter, often cheaper.
Dutch summer holidays 2026
Dutch schools break for summer from 18 July to 12 September 2026. English schools typically finish in late July, so the window from 18 July to late July is a quiet period: Dutch families are already on holiday, but UK families haven't arrived yet. Amsterdam and the Dutch coast are in full summer operation without the British peak.
Dutch school holiday dates
Christmas and May holidays are the same nationwide. Autumn and spring breaks are staggered by region. Summer is staggered across approximately six weeks.
- Zomervakantie 2026
- Herfstvakantie 2026
- Kerstvakantie 2026/27
- Voorjaarsvakantie 2027
- Meivakantie 2027
- Zomervakantie 2027
- Herfstvakantie 2027
- Kerstvakantie 2027/28
- Voorjaarsvakantie 2028
- Meivakantie 2028
- Zomervakantie 2028
Noord: Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel, Noord-Holland, Flevoland
- Autumn break (Herfstvakantie) 2027
- Spring break (Voorjaarsvakantie) 2028
- Summer (Zomervakantie) 2028
Midden: Zuid-Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland
- Autumn break (Herfstvakantie) 2027
- Spring break (Voorjaarsvakantie) 2028
- Summer (Zomervakantie) 2028
Zuid: Zeeland, Noord-Brabant, Limburg
- Autumn break (Herfstvakantie) 2027
- Spring break (Voorjaarsvakantie) 2028
- Summer (Zomervakantie) 2028
The quiet windows
Early July is the standout window. Midden region finishes around 8 July and Noord around 15 July, but England, Wales and Northern Ireland don't break until late July. Amsterdam and the Dutch coast are in summer mode with Dutch families already on holiday, but without the British family peak.
For October half-term, it depends on region. Noord and Midden take their break 16–24 October 2027, one week before UK half-term (25–29 Oct). Zuid takes 23–31 October, directly overlapping. Amsterdam (Noord) is noticeably quieter during UK half-term week than the south of the country.
Christmas is a near-total clash. Dutch schools close 25 December and return in early January, essentially identical to UK timing.
How the Dutch holiday system works
The Ministry of Education sets mandatory dates for Christmas, summer and the May holiday (meivakantie); schools cannot deviate. Autumn and spring breaks are advisory; schools follow them in practice. The May holiday (late April to early May) has no direct UK equivalent that week, though it loosely overlaps UK May half-term.
Dutch school holiday dates sourced from the official Rijksoverheid (rijksoverheid.nl) open data API and ministry publications. Mandatory dates are fixed by law. Advisory dates (autumn and spring) are followed by most schools. Always confirm with your specific school.