Dutch School Holiday Regions: North, Central, and South
In the Netherlands, school holidays are divided across three main regions: North, Central, and South. This regional division helps prevent national gridlock on roads and overcrowding at tourist destinations, particularly during the busy summer period. It’s important for families and expats to know which region their child’s school belongs to in order to plan vacations, childcare, and travel effectively.
Why Are Holidays Regionalized?
The regional staggering of school holidays is designed to distribute traffic, tourism, and public service demand more evenly. This system is used for major breaks like the summer holiday, while other holidays such as Christmas and May vacation tend to be nationwide.
Which Provinces Fall Under Each Region?
North Region
- Groningen
- Friesland
- Drenthe
- North Holland (parts)
- Overijssel (parts)
- Flevoland (parts)
Central Region
- Utrecht
- South Holland (parts)
- Gelderland (parts)
- North Holland (parts)
- Overijssel (parts)
- Flevoland (parts)
South Region
- Limburg
- North Brabant
- Zeeland
- South Holland (parts)
- Gelderland (parts)
Where to Check Your Region?
The Dutch government publishes annual school holiday schedules with region-specific dates. You can find the latest version on the official Rijksoverheid school holidays page to ensure you plan around the correct schedule.
Key Tip for Expats
When enrolling your children in school, ask the administration which region your school falls under. This is especially important if you live near a regional boundary, where neighboring towns may follow different holiday dates.
For an overview of all holidays in the Netherlands, see our article on Dutch school holidays.
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