The North starts autumn break a week before the Central and Southern regions
Editors ·
The recommended dates for the Northern region are 10–18 October. In the Central and Southern regions, autumn break runs from 17–25 October, but schools may set different dates.
The autumn break does not start everywhere at once. The Dutch government’s recommended dates put it in the Northern region from Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 October 2026. The Central and Southern regions follow from 17 to 25 October.
These dates are recommendations, not mandatory school holidays. Schools may deviate, and the government advises families to check the school guide. Summer, Christmas and May holidays are set nationally.
A school’s region is determined by its location, not by where a pupil lives. The North includes Drenthe, Friesland, Groningen, North Holland and Overijssel, among other areas; Zeeland and Limburg are in the South.
There are also exceptions within provinces. Most of Flevoland is in the North, but Zeewolde is in the Central region. Gelderland, Utrecht and North Brabant also have municipal exceptions; the government’s official region list is the reference for a specific school.
In 2025, the Southern region began its break on 11 October, while the North and Central regions began on 18 October. In 2026, the North is first, with the Central and Southern regions starting a week later.