Annual Leave Rules in Netherlands

In the Netherlands, most employees are entitled to a minimum of four times the weekly working hours in paid annual leave. This means that if an employee works a standard 40-hour week, they are entitled to at least 20 days of paid annual leave per year. This entitlement is outlined in the Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek), specifically in Article 7:634, which establishes the right to vacation leave. Additionally, many employers offer more generous leave policies as part of their employment contracts or collective labor agreements (CAOs).

It is important to note that employees must take their accrued vacation days within six months after the end of the calendar year in which they were earned, unless they were unable to do so due to special circumstances, such as long-term illness. After this period, the right to the leave may expire unless otherwise agreed upon. For more detailed information on paid annual leave rights in the Netherlands, you can refer to the official website of the Dutch government at government.nl.