My kids are in school today, on Good Friday. It’s the first time it has ever been a school day for them. Most other kids are off school today. So what are the rules around goede vrijdag, as Good Friday is known in the Netherlands?
What Dutch Law Says About Good Friday
Good Friday is a national holiday but not a public holiday. It is not legally a day off. It’s a notable day. Easter Monday on the other hand is a public holiday.
Our local town hall is closed on Good Friday but my children are in school. What makes it even more remarkable is that my kids go to a Catholic school. Some children are not in school today as they are making their first holy communion.
Many years ago, I worked in a multinational company in The Hague and my employer closed the offices on Good Friday. My husband had to take the day off out of his holiday allowance if he wanted time off. When he moved to an EU institution in The Hague the office was closed on Good Friday.
What it comes down to is that it is not necessarily a day off, as it is in the UK for example. However, employers and schools may choose to give the day off. Or not.
Confusing? I know.
Public Holidays in the Netherlands
If you are wondering which days in 2019 are Dutch public holidays then wonder no more….
1st January: New Year’s Day
21st April: Easter
21nd April: Easter Monday
27th April: King’s Day
5th May: Liberation Day (is a public holiday every 5 years)
30th May: Ascension Day
9th June: Whit Sunday
10th June: Whit Monday
25th December: Christmas Day
26th December: Boxing Day
Notable Days
There are other days that are notable but not a public holiday. Like Sinterklaas on the 5th of December and Remembrance Day on the 4th May.
Over to You
Is Good Friday a public holiday where you are?
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