Via Logo
  • How it works
    Hiring EmployeesGlobal HiringHiring ContractorsGlobal PayrollHR ComplianceEmployer of Record (EOR)Professional Employer Organization (PEO)Global BenefitsInternational Background Check
  • Countries
  • About us
    About usCareers
  • Partners
  • Pricing
  • Blog
Log in
Talk to us

Leave in the Netherlands

All Countries > Netherlands
capital-icon

Capital

Amsterdam

Language Desktop

Official Language

Dutch

currency-icon

Currency

Euro

Payroll Desktop

Payroll cycle

Monthly

Via offers complete Payroll, EOR and Contractor mangement services for the Netherlands
Request a demo
Netherlands Flag

Quick facts about the Netherlands

The Netherlands is known for its progressive policies. The country is the first to make working from home a legal right. A leader in IT and telecommunications, the Netherlands stands out as one of the most dynamic economies in the European Union. With the 17th largest economy in the world, the country is home to over 17 million people.

More info
Request a demo
Remote team

Dutch public holidays

There are 11 public holidays in the Netherlands. Employers are not required by Dutch law to give these holidays off or pay extra for working on those days. The days that employees receive off should be stipulated in the employment agreement.

Holiday 

2023 Date

New Years Day

January 1, 2023

Good Friday 

April 7, 2023

Easter Sunday 

April, 9 2023

Easter Monday 

April 10, 2023

King’s Day

April 27, 2023

Liberation Day 

May 5, 2023

Ascension Day 

May 18, 2023 

Pentecost

May 28, 2023

Whit Monday 

May 29, 2023

Christmas Day

December 25, 2023

St. Stephen’s Day 

December 26, 2023

Vacation leave in the Netherlands

Employees that work full-time are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of holiday leave per year. 

Holiday pay is 8% of the employee’s gross salary from the previous year and is usually paid in May of the following year. 

Employers must continue to pay the employee’s salary while they are away on holiday. If an employee falls sick during their statutory leave, he or she is able to take time off at a different time to make up for the missed days.

Other leave in the Netherlands

Personal leave

Although not regulated by Dutch law, it’s common for employers to allow employees to take short stints of personal special leave for life situations like a wedding, marriage, or moving. 

Sick leave

Sick employees are entitled to 70% of their wages for sick pay up to 2 years, which the employer is required to pay. Employers commonly choose to cover 100% of an employee’s salary while they are on sick leave. 

Employers must inform the Occupational Health and Safety Service of an employee's absence due to illness. Employers are unable to determine whether the employee's sickness truly makes them incapable of performing work activities. Instead, they will need to wait for an evaluation by the Occupational Health and Safety Service. If the employer or the employee do not agree to the evaluation, they can apply for an expert opinion from the UWV (Employment Insurance Agency) or a second opinion with another company doctor.

UWV needs to be notified of an employee's absence due to illness if it lasts longer than 42 weeks. Both sides have obligations that follow from the Gatekeeper Improvement Law. If the employer fails to fulfill theirs, the UWV may impose a sanction or fine on them.

If an employee is injured in a work-related accident, they are entitled to 2 years of paid leave. 

Employees are required by law to report any work-related injuries and accidents to a workers compensation inspector. Employers must report all accidents that forces employees to be off for more than 3 sick days. 

Emergency leave

Emergency leave is only intended in last minute cases, such as the death of a family member or to take care of a critically ill family member. This type of leave is meant to be given with no notice and employers must give reasonable accommodation. 

Short-term leave

Employees are entitled to 2 weeks of short-term leave for annually, paid at 70% of their salary. 

This leave is intended for:

  • A sick child living with the employee who is either related to them or is under their foster care

  • A spouse or registered partner’s sick child that lives with them

  • The employee's ill spouse or partner

  • A sick family member (other than a child) in the first ascending or descending line

Long-term care leave

Long-term care leave is for unforeseen personal circumstances like when a child, parent, or partner of an employee is injured or ill. Under this leave, employers are not required to continue paying the employee’s salary while they take care of their family member. 

Maternity leave

New mothers are entitled to 16 weeks of leave. Employees must take this leave at least 4-6 weeks prior to the birth of the child. Maternity leave is paid at 100% of the regular wages (maximum of $216.28 EURO per day) for the entire 16 weeks, covered by the Dutch Social Security system or reimbursed to the employer. 

After 6 weeks, new mothers can choose to split their maternity leave and return to office. They can take 30 consecutive weeks of maternity leave. 

Employers may not require their employees to use their holiday leave as part of their maternity leave, which will continue to accumulate during this period. 

Paternity leave

New fathers or same-sex partners who are expecting a child are entitled to 5 days of paid paternity leave that must be taken within 4 weeks of the birth of a child. 

Fathers may also take up to 5 additional weeks of unpaid leave within the first 6 months of birth. They can file to be reimbursed for up to 70% through the Employment Insurance Agency. 

Adoption leave

Parents adopting a child are entitled to 6 weeks of paid adoption leave. This leave can be taken up to 4 weeks prior to adoption and up to 26 weeks after adoption. 

Women are able to have 6 weeks of leave and fathers are allowed 5 days of leave after the adoption.

Parental leave

All parents are entitled to 26 weeks of parental leave, which is partially paid by the government (70% of the salary). This leave should be taken within the first year of the child's birth. The remaining unpaid weeks can be taken before the child turns 8.

Welcome

Why companies partner with Via

Via makes hiring talent around the world and building your global team seamless by helping you onboard workers in as little as 2-3 business days. With our easy-to-use platform, Via helps you manage local HR processes for direct employment such as work visas & permits, employee data privacy compliance, benefits, global payroll, background checks, and more. Our team of local labor lawyers and on-the-ground experts provide 24-hour local support and ensure that your company remains compliant while expanding abroad. As your employer-of-record/entity abroad, Via assumes responsibility for employment liability, so that you can focus on what matters: recruiting and managing your team.

Country Icon
See all countries
More information for you
    Netherlands Employer of Record (EOR) Services
    Set up Your Subsidiary in the Netherlands
    Hours of Work in the Netherlands
    Employee Rights in the Netherlands
    Remote Work in the Netherlands for Citizens and Foreigners
    End of Employment in the Netherlands
    Leave in the Netherlands
    Work Visa & Permits in the Netherlands
    Payroll in the Netherlands
    Hiring & Recruiting in the Netherlands
    Netherlands Employee Compensation & Benefits
    Request a demo

Frequently asked questions

  • How much leave do you get in the Netherlands?

    Full-time employees in the Netherlands are entitled to 20 days of paid holiday leave per year.

  • How many weeks of annual leave does the Netherlands have?

    The Netherlands requires at least 20 days of leave for full-time employees which equates to 4 weeks of annual leave.

  • How many sick days do you get in the Netherlands?

    There is no set amount of sick days in the Netherlands and employees are allowed to take up to 2 years of paid sick leave (with reasonable proof) without it affecting their employment.

  • Is the Netherlands a 4 day work week?

    Although not mandated by law, many companies have embraced around a 30 hour work week in the Netherlands or a 4-day work week.

  • Via Logo
    • How it works
      Hiring EmployeesGlobal HiringHiring ContractorsGlobal PayrollHR ComplianceEmployer of Record (EOR)Professional Employer Organization (PEO)Global BenefitsInternational Background Check
    • Countries
      BrazilCanadaChileColombiaCosta RicaGermanyIrelandMexicoNetherlandsPortugalSpainUKUSA
    • About us
      About usCareers
    • Partners
      Partners
    • Pricing
      Pricing
    • Blog
      Blog
    • Follow Us
      emailSubscribe by emaillinkedinLinkedIn
    Via Logo
    Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyCookie Policy
    © Via 2024. All rights reserved.