Netherlands School Holidays

Explanation of Regions and Holiday Distribution in the Netherlands

To prevent overcrowding during school holidays and to ensure a balanced flow of holiday travelers, the Netherlands divides its school vacation schedules into three regions: Regio Noord (North Region), Regio Midden (Central Region), and Regio Zuid (South Region). Each region typically observes slightly different holiday dates for certain breaks, such as the autumn, spring, and summer holidays. Which region has time off is rotated annually. Below is a breakdown of the provinces included in each region:

North Region

Includes the following provinces:

• Groningen
• Friesland
• Drenthe
• Northern part of North Holland (above Amsterdam)
• Northern part of Flevoland

This region generally starts its holidays earlier in the summer than other regions.

Central Region

Includes the following provinces:

• Utrecht
• Gelderland
• Southern part of North Holland (including Amsterdam and surrounding areas)
• Central part of Flevoland

The Central Region often has holidays scheduled between the North and South regions to ensure a smooth spread of travelers.

Regio Zuid (South Region)

Includes the following provinces:

• Limburg
• North Brabant
• Zeeland
• Southern part of Gelderland

This region typically starts its summer holidays earlier than the Central Region but later than the North Region.