What are the standard annual leaves in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, annual leave is a fundamental aspect of employment, providing employees the opportunity to rest. The rules regarding annual leave, including entitlements, accrual, and carryover, are outlined in the Dutch Civil Code.


Minimum Annual Leave Entitlement

  • Statutory Minimum: Employees are entitled to at least four times the number of hours worked per week. For example, a full-time employee working 40 hours per week is entitled to 160 hours, or 20 days, of annual leave per year.
  • Standard Leave: Many employers offer additional leave days through individual contracts or collective agreements, increasing the number of available vacation days beyond the statutory minimum.


Accrual of Annual Leave

  • First Year of Employment: Annual leave is prorated during the first year based on the months worked.
  • Subsequent Years: From the second year onward, employees accrue the full annual leave as per their employment contract or company policy.


Carryover of Unused Leave

  • General Rule: Employees must use their statutory leave within six months after the end of the calendar year (by June 30th). After this, any unused statutory days are forfeited unless special circumstances apply.
  • Exceptions: If an employee cannot use their leave due to illness or other exceptional reasons, the carryover period may be extended. Additionally, employers and employees can negotiate longer carryover periods for non-statutory leave through contractual agreements or collective labor agreements.


Non-Statutory Leave and Employer Obligations

  • Non-Statutory Leave: Many employers provide extra vacation days beyond the statutory minimum. These extra days often come with more flexible carryover rules, such as a carryover period of up to five years.
  • Employer's Duty: Employers are required to inform employees about unused leave and encourage them to take it before it expires. Failure to notify employees may result in retaining the unused leave.


In conclusion, the Dutch leave system is flexible but encourages employees to use their vacation within the defined timeframe to avoid forfeiture.

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