Bank and public holidays in the Netherlands: 2017-2018 guide

Wise

In the Netherlands, there are more than two weeks worth of national holidays each year. But some of those holidays are more important than others, and banks and public offices certainly won’t be closed on all of them.

Still, if you’re visiting the Netherlands, it’s important to be aware of local holidays, both to ensure you’re following and respecting local customs and to be sure you won’t get caught needing a bank on a day that they’re all closed.

While some countries will observe holidays that fall on weekends on another day, like the following Monday, this isn't customary in the Netherlands — if a public holiday falls on a weekend, no extra time off is usually given.

There are several Dutch holidays that fall on different dates each year, so it’s important to be aware of major holidays and when they’re going to be celebrated. Read on for a guide to everything you need to know about bank and public holidays in the Netherlands.

National holidays in the Netherlands

There are 13 national holidays in the Netherlands each year.

  • Dutch public holidays: 9
  • Dutch bank holidays: 11

Celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in the Netherlands

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day aren't public holidays in the Netherlands, but they're still widely celebrated.

Mother’s Day is held on the second Sunday in May each year. Typically, children celebrate their mothers by preparing breakfast in bed for them. Later in the day, children and fathers will often give mom a break by taking over some of the household chores typically done by mothers. Older children generally buy flowers for their mothers. Since Mother’s Day is held on a Sunday, many Dutch families have time off. It’s customary for them to go somewhere Mom likes to go for a family day. Picnics and walks in public parks are common Mother’s Day activities.

Father’s Day is held on the third Sunday in June. As on Mother’s Day, it’s traditional for children to prepare breakfast in bed for dads on this day. It’s also common for families to gather together for a large dinner, usually at a grandparent’s house. In recent years, it has become more common for families to eat out on Father’s Day, making it one of the busiest days of the year for Dutch restaurants. Young children make crafts in school to give to their fathers as gifts, and older children will sometimes buy gifts for their fathers such as socks, ties or electronics.

The most important holidays and dates in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, public celebrations of major holidays often include festivals. There are many important traditions surrounding almost all Dutch holidays — the Dutch definitely take their holidays seriously.

In the Netherlands, Christmas is a major holiday that's celebrated over two days: Christmas day and “Second Christmas.” It’s not customary to exchange gifts on Christmas; rather, the holiday is a time for families to be together. Gifts are given earlier in December, on Sinterklaas, another important Dutch holiday.

New Year’s Day is widely celebrated in the Netherlands with fireworks. It’s also customary to express good intentions for the coming year while celebrating with family and friends.

An important holiday in the Netherlands is King’s Day, celebrated in honor of the king’s birthday on April 27th. On that day, public markets are held in the streets, and the king and his family visit two cities, where programs are organized to tell about local folklore. The night before King’s Day is celebrated with musical performances in city centres.

Birthdays are considered serious celebrations in the Netherlands. Friends and family will often drop by to visit or send cards on birthdays, and the birthday person will often treat those around him or her to treats like pastries or candy.

List of public holidays in the Netherlands for 2017

HolidayName of holiday in Dutch2017 DateBank holiday?
New Year’s DayNieuwjaarsdag1 January, 2017Yes
Good FridayGoede vrijdag14 April, 2017Yes
EasterEerste paasdag16 April, 2017Yes
Easter MondayEaster Monday17 April, 2017Yes
King’s DayKoningsdag27 April, 2017Yes
National Remembrance DayDodenherdenking4 May, 2017No
Liberation DayBevrijdingsdag5 May, 2017Yes
Ascension DayHemelvaartsdag25 May, 2017Yes
Whit Sunday or Pentecost SundayEerste pinksterdag4 June, 2017Yes
Whit Monday or Pentecost MondayTweede pinksterdag5 June, 2017Yes
All Saints DayAllerheiligen1 November, 2017No
Christmas DayEerste kerstdag25 December, 2017Yes
Second ChristmasTweede kerstdag26 December, 2017Yes

List of public holidays in the Netherlands for 2018

HolidayName of holiday in Dutch2018 DateBank holiday?
New Year’s DayNieuwjaarsdag1 January, 2018Yes
Good FridayGoede vrijdag30 March, 2018Yes
EasterEerste paasdag1 April, 2018Yes
Easter MondayEaster Monday2 April, 2018Yes
King’s DayKoningsdag27 April, 2018Yes
National Remembrance DayDodenherdenking4 May, 2018No
Liberation DayBevrijdingsdag5 May, 2018Yes
Ascension DayHemelvaartsdag10 May, 2018Yes
Whit Sunday or Pentecost SundayEerste pinksterdag20 May, 2018Yes
Whit Monday or Pentecost MondayTweede pinksterdag21 May, 2018Yes
All Saints DayAllerheiligen4 November, 2018No
Christmas DayEerste kerstdag25 December, 2018Yes
Second ChristmasTweede kerstdag26 December, 2018Yes

List of public holidays in the Netherlands for 2019

HolidayName of holiday in Dutch2019 DateBank holiday?
New Year’s DayNieuwjaarsdag1 January, 2019Yes
Good FridayGoede vrijdag19 April, 2019Yes
EasterEerste paasdag21 April, 2019Yes
Easter MondayEaster Monday22 April, 2019Yes
King’s DayKoningsdag27 April, 2019Yes
National Remembrance DayDodenherdenking4 May, 2019No
Liberation DayBevrijdingsdag5 May, 2019Yes
Ascension DayHemelvaartsdag30 May, 2019Yes
Whit Sunday or Pentecost SundayEerste pinksterdag9 June, 2019Yes
Whit Monday or Pentecost MondayTweede pinksterdag10 June, 2019Yes
All Saints DayAllerheiligen3 November, 2019No
Christmas DayEerste kerstdag25 December, 2019Yes
Second ChristmasTweede kerstdag26 December, 2019Yes

Sending money home for the holidays in the Netherlands?

Need to send money from the Netherlands to the USA for the holidays to or from the Netherlands? Wise allows you to send money abroad as fast as possible, for as little as possible. Wise moves money between local accounts, so it never crosses borders, meaning there are no international or intermediary fees to pay. Wise uses the actual exchange rate, like you’d see on Google, so there are no hidden fees or markups. You just pay a small transfer fee that’s spelled out upfront. It’s easy, fast and secure.

Wise also offers borderless multi currency accounts, which allow users to manage, send and receive money in several global currencies all at once. If you live in one country and get paid in the UK, the US, the EU or Australia, then you can even get bank details to get paid like a local. Borderless account holders will also have access to consumer debit cards beginning in 2018.

Transfer your money internationally with Wise today and see how simple it can be.

Knowing when and how the Dutch celebrate their holidays means you’re ready to celebrate like a local and avoid getting caught needing a bank when they’re all closed. Happy holidays!


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