Division of School Holidays Between Parents in Amsterdam

Division of School Holidays Between Parents in Amsterdam

The division of school holidays between parents in Amsterdam regulates how separated or cohabiting parents with joint parental authority in the Amsterdam region fairly divide the fixed school holidays of their children. This minimizes conflicts and ensures quality time for both parents. School holidays are nationally established by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and apply to primary and secondary schools in three regions, with Amsterdam falling under the North region (or Central for some schools).

What are school holidays in Amsterdam?

School holidays include official free periods for primary schools and secondary education, established by OCW. They run from Friday to Sunday (or Monday morning). The five blocks are: autumn, Christmas, spring, May, and summer holidays. In Amsterdam (North region), dates vary slightly by school type.

These dates are mandatory; parents may not enforce school attendance during holidays. Check current information on the Government website or via Amsterdam school calendars.

Legal basis in Amsterdam

The division of school holidays between parents in Amsterdam falls under family law in Book 1 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW). Parents with joint parental authority (art. 1:251 BW) divide care and upbringing. Art. 1:257 BW requires not rejecting reasonable proposals without good reason. In Amsterdam, disputes are handled by the Amsterdam District Court (Parnassusweg 220).

• Parenting plan (art. 1:247 BW): Mandatory upon divorce, including holiday rules.
• Settlement agreement: Arrangements outside court, often via mediator.
• Court decision: In case of dispute, the court decides based on the child's best interests (art. 1:257(2) BW). See our holiday arrangements for children.

No fixed formula; consideration given to distance (e.g., Amsterdam-Rotterdam), work, and child's routine. Free advice via Juridisch Loket Amsterdam (Vijzelstraat 77).

Practical division of school holidays in Amsterdam

Parents in Amsterdam often establish rules in the parenting plan or holiday appendix. Common options:

1. Alternating per year: In odd years, parent A gets summer holiday and Christmas, parent B gets autumn/spring; even years reversed.
2. Halving: Split summer (first half one parent, remainder the other). Short holidays alternating.
3. Proportional: 45% father, 45% mother, remainder flexible.

Example 1: Co-parenting in Amsterdam

Mother in Amsterdam-Noord (North region), father in The Hague. Agreement: halve summer based on regional dates, alternate Christmas, transport via train on Christmas Day. This balances long holidays.

Example 2: Conflict in Amsterdam

No agreement on May holiday; father books trip, mother blocks. Amsterdam court rules (fictitious ECLI:NL:RBAMS:2023:5678): refusal unjustified unless child's best interests prevail. Mother must facilitate.

Rights and obligations of parents in Amsterdam

Rights:

• Submit reasonable holiday proposal (art. 1:257 BW).
• Refuse if detrimental to child (e.g., sick leave).
• Proceed to Amsterdam District Court in deadlock.

• Consult child-focused (art. 1:251 BW).
• Comply with agreements.
• Inform child about schedule.

Breach risks modification of care arrangement or sanction.

Frequently asked questions