Netherlands Labor Law Guide 🇳🇱
Minimum 4 times the weekly working days (20 days for 5-day week). Many CAOs provide 25+ days.
Netherlands Labor Law Guide
Minimum 4 times the weekly working days (20 days for 5-day week). Many CAOs provide 25+ days.
Primary Legislation
Burgerlijk Wetboek (Dutch Civil Code)
Secondary Legislation
Burgerlijk Wetboek (Dutch Civil Code)
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Start Free TrialGeneral Statutory Framework
Essential compliance data regarding minimum entitlement and standard work hours in Netherlands.
Ref: Burgerlijk Wetboek Art. 7:634Minimum 4 times the weekly working days (20 days for 5-day week). Many CAOs provide 25+ days.
Accrual
Accrues proportionally. Full entitlement after one year of service.
Carry Over
Statutory minimum expires 6 months after year-end. Additional days per CAO may have longer validity.
Standard Week
40 hours
Max Weekly
60 hours
Max Daily
12 hours
Rest Period
11 consecutive hours between shifts.
Employment Contract & Termination
Notice Period
Employee: 1 month statutory. Employer: 1 month (<5 yrs), 2 months (5-10 yrs), 3 months (10-15 yrs), 4 months (15+ yrs).
Burgerlijk Wetboek Art. 7:672Probation Period
No probation for contracts <6 months. Max 1 month for contracts 6 months-2 years. Max 2 months for indefinite/2+ year contracts.
Burgerlijk Wetboek Art. 7:652Core Labor Obligations
Operational rules regarding leave requests, sick pay, and public holiday work that every HR manager must know.
Ref: Burgerlijk Wetboek Book 7Leave Requests
Employer must grant leave unless compelling business reasons. Employee requests with reasonable notice.
Sick Pay
Employer pays 70% of salary (min. minimum wage) for up to 104 weeks. Often topped up to 100% in CAO.
Holiday Work
No statutory premium. Compensation depends on CAO or individual contract.
Part-Time Calculation
Pro-rata based on contracted hours.
Parental & Family Leave
Maternity Leave
16 weeks maternity leave at 100% pay (via UWV). 4-6 weeks before due date, minimum 10 weeks after birth. 20 weeks for multiple births.
Wet arbeid en zorgPaternity/Partner Leave
1 week at 100% pay within 4 weeks of birth. Plus 5 additional weeks at 70% pay (via UWV) within 6 months of birth.
Wet arbeid en zorgSick Pay & Compensation
Sick Pay
Employer must continue paying 70% of salary (min. minimum wage) for up to 104 weeks. Often 100% first year, 70% second year per CAO. Dismissal protection during this period.
Source: Ziektewet / BW Art. 7:629Specific Laws & Regulations
Unique regulations and legal concepts that distinguish the Netherlands labor market from others.
ADV Days (Arbeidsduurverkorting)
Many CAOs reduce annual hours from 40 to 36-38 per week, compensated with ADV days off. This can add 13-26 extra days per year.
104-Week Sick Pay Obligation
Employers must continue paying sick employees for 2 years at 70% minimum, often 100% per CAO. After 104 weeks, disability benefits (WIA) may apply.
Transition Payment (Transitievergoeding)
Upon termination, employees receive 1/3 month salary per year of service (max €94,000 in 2024). This applies regardless of termination reason.
Works Council (Ondernemingsraad)
Companies with 50+ employees must establish a works council with co-determination rights on working conditions and leave policies.
Centralize Your Global Compliance
Relying on local counsel or static wikis for labor law compliance leaves you vulnerable. Leavo provides a single system of record that monitors statutory changes and updates your policies automatically.
- Single source of truth for legal data
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are employees compensated if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
King's Day moves to Saturday if on Sunday. Other holidays falling on weekends are generally lost unless CAO specifies otherwise.
What happens if an employee falls ill while on annual leave?
Sick days during vacation are treated as sick leave, not annual leave, if reported and documented.
Are public holidays paid time off?
Only Christmas Day and King's Day are statutory. Other holidays depend on CAO and employment contract.
Looking for the holiday calendar?
View the official Netherlands public holiday list for 2025.
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult official government sources and legal counsel for compliance matters.
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