What are statutory vacation days?
Statutory vacation days are vacation days to which an employee is entitled by law. In the Netherlands, a full-time employee is legally entitled to at least four times the number of days he or she works per week as vacation days; therefore, a full-time employee is entitled to at least 20 days per year (Article 7:634 of the Dutch Civil Code). The purpose of these vacation days is to give employees the opportunity to relax, rest, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Some employers grant additional vacation days under a collective bargaining agreement or company policy. These are considered vacation days beyond the statutory minimum. Employees begin accruing (statutory) vacation days from the moment they start employment, which they may take in consultation with their employer. Often, the employee must notify the employer in writing of their intention to take vacation and the dates they wish to take it. The employer then has two weeks to respond to the request. The employer may refuse a vacation request only if there are “compelling reasons” to do so, such as genuine operational difficulties.