Netherlands
The Netherlands guarantee 4 weeks × days/week (20 days for 5d/wk) annual vacation minimum (Civil Code art. 7:634). Extra 8% holiday allowance paid in May (vakantietoeslag). Maternity 16 wks (4-6 pre + 10-12 post), paternity 6 wks (1 wk at 100%, 5 wks at 70% UWV).
Annual paid leave
BW 7:634 · 4 wksCivil Code 7:634: 4 × working days/week (20 days for full-time). Carry-over possible but must be used within 6 months after the year (else forfeited). On top of minimum, 8% of annual salary paid as vakantietoeslag (May/June).
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual vacation | 4 sem (20 j/5j/sem) | 100% + 8% allow. | BW 7:634 |
| Holiday allowance | — | 8% salaire annuel | Brutto, mai/juin |
| CAO | Souvent 25 j | 100% | Plus généreux |
| Carry-over | Min 4 sem (6 mois) | — | 7:642 |
| Termination | Balance allowance | 100% | BW 7:641 |
| Above-legal vacation | Report 5 ans | 100% | Pas perdu |
Public holidays
9 recognized · contractual pay9 recognized public holidays but none mandatorily paid: defined in contract or CAO. Most are paid in practice (except Bevrijdingsdag May 5 every 5 years).
| Day | Date | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 januari | New Year | — | — |
| March-April | Good Friday | Variable | — |
| March-April | Easter Monday | — | — |
| 27 april | King’s Day | — | — |
| 5 mei | Liberation Day | Every 5 yrs (CAO) | 2020, 2025… |
| May | Hemelvaartsdag | — | Ascension |
| May-Jun | Tweede Pinksterdag | — | Pentecôte |
| 25 december | Christmas Day | — | — |
| 26 december | Boxing Day | — | — |
Sick leave
70% 104 wks (employer)Sickness: employer pays 70% of last salary for 2 years (max 104 wks) with minimum at minimum wage. No legal waiting period (CAO may impose 1-2 wachtdagen). Beyond: WIA via UWV.
| Scenario | Waiting | Pay | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 0 j (sauf CAO) | 70% (min SMIC) | BW 7:629 |
| Year 2 | 0 j | 70% | BW 7:629 |
| CAO wachtdagen | 1-2 j | Non payé | Variable |
| WIA after 104 wks | — | 75% si invalide | UWV |
| Re-integration | — | Programme obligatoire | Wet poortwachter |
Maternity, paternity, parental
16 wks mat. · 6 wks pat.Maternity (zwangerschapsverlof): 16 wks (4-6 pre + 10-12 post), 100% UWV. Paternity (geboorteverlof): 1 wk 100% employer + 5 wks 70% UWV (aanvullend geboorteverlof). Adoption 6 wks. Parental leave 26 × days/wk (since 2022, 70% UWV for 9 wks).
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy leave | 4-6 sem | 100% UWV | Avant accouchement |
| Maternity leave | 10-12 sem | 100% UWV | Après accouchement |
| Paternity birth | 1 sem | 100% employeur | Dans 4 sem |
| Additional paternity | 5 sem | 70% UWV | Dans 6 mois |
| Parental leave | 26 × j/sem | 70% UWV (9 sem) | Jusqu’à 8 ans |
| Adoption leave | 6 sem | 100% UWV | Préavis 3 sem |
Special leaves
WAZOWork and Care Act (WAZO): paid short leave for marriage (1 day), birth (geboorteverlof 1 wk), bereavement (2 days), sick child (kortdurend zorgverlof 5×wkly hrs/yr, 70% pay), long-term caregiver (langdurig 6×wkly hrs/yr, unpaid).
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | 1 j | 100% employeur | Variable CAO |
| Birth leave | 1 sem | 100% employeur | Pour le partenaire |
| Bereavement | 2-4 j | 100% | Selon CAO |
| Emergency leave | Court (heures-jours) | 100% | WAZO |
| Short-term care | 5x heures/sem/an | 70% | Enfant malade |
| Long-term care | 6x heures/sem/an | Non payé | Proche grave |
| Moving | 1 j | Variable CAO | Optionnel |
Information current as of last update. This guide does not replace local legal advice. For specific situations, consult a labor lawyer in the relevant country.
Centralize Netherlands absence management
Illizeo applies BW + WAZO + UWV (8% vakantietoeslag, 16 wks mat, 6 wks pat, 2-yr 70% sick) with CAO management.
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