HOLIDAYS IN THE NETHERLANDS, ROMANIA AND HUNGARY: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
As an expert working in the Netherlands, it’s interesting to know the differences in countries like Romania and Hungary. In this blog, we compare the most important holidays in the Netherlands, Romania, and Hungary, helping you prepare for cultural differences and the days off you can anticipate.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
The Netherlands celebrates King’s Day on April 27th with orange-themed festivities, street markets, and music. Liberation Day on May 5th marks the end of WWII occupation with concerts and remembrance events.
Hungary’s National Day on August 20th honors St. Stephen’s Day, featuring parades, food, and fireworks. March 15th commemorates the 1848 revolution with patriotic events.
Romania’s National Day, December 1st, celebrates the unification of regions in 1918 with military parades and concerts. Labor Day on May 1st is also celebrated with outdoor activities.
LOCAL HOLIDAYS
Each country also has smaller, culturally specific celebrations that hold local significance. In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas (December 5th) is a festive tradition where children receive gifts and enjoy storytelling, treats, and poems. Carnival, celebrated in the southern regions before spring, features vibrant parades and costumes.
Romania has Dragobete (February 24th), a traditional celebration of love, and Mărțișor (March 1st), marking the arrival of spring with symbolic red and white charms.
Hungary honors literature on National Poetry Day (April 11th) and commemorates statehood with St. Stephen’s Day (August 20th), featuring spectacular fireworks in Budapest. Additionally, Saint Nicholas’ Day (December 6th) is observed in both Romania and Hungary, where children receive small gifts in their shoes.
THE NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands has several fixed national holidays, some of which are mandatory days off, while others depend on your employer. The most important holidays are:
New Year’s Day (January 1st) – A day to ring in the new year, often celebrated with fireworks and champagne. The celebration symbolizes a fresh start and is observed worldwide.
Good Friday & Easter (March/April) – Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while Easter celebrates his resurrection. In the Netherlands, Easter is marked by egg hunts, family brunches, and church services.
King’s Day (April 27th) – The king’s birthday and a national holiday when the Netherlands turns orange. People celebrate with flea markets, festivals, and parades.
Liberation Day (May 5th) – Commemorates the liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation in 1945. Every five years, it is a mandatory day off, celebrated with festivals and memorial events.
Ascension Day & Pentecost (May/June) – Ascension Day marks the ascension of Jesus Christ, while Pentecost commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Many Dutch people take short vacations during these days.
Christmas (December 25th & 26th) – A celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, a time for warmth, festive dinners, and gift-giving.
ROMANIA
Romania has several national holidays, some of which are mandatory days off. The most important holidays are:
New Year’s Day (January 1st & 2nd) – Celebrated with fireworks, festive meals, and gatherings with family and friends. It marks a fresh start to the year.
Unification Day (January 24th) – Commemorates the unification of Moldavia and Wallachia in 1859, a key step toward modern Romania.
Good Friday & Easter (March/April, Orthodox calendar) – Good Friday honors the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while Easter celebrates his resurrection. Romanian Easter traditions include painting eggs, attending church services, and enjoying festive meals with lamb, cozonac (sweet bread), and red eggs.
Labor Day (May 1st) – A celebration of workers’ rights, often marked by barbecues and outdoor gatherings.
Children’s Day (June 1st) – A day dedicated to children, with special events, activities, and gifts for kids.
Pentecost & Whit Monday (May/June, Orthodox calendar) – Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, an important religious holiday often spent with family.
St. Mary’s Day (August 15th) – Honors the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, celebrated with religious services and family gatherings. It is also an important name day for many Romanians.
Romanian National Day (December 1st) – Marks the Great Union of 1918, when Transylvania united with Romania. Celebrated with military parades, concerts, and patriotic events.
Christmas (December 25th & 26th) – Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, a time for festive meals, caroling, and exchanging gifts. Traditional Romanian Christmas dishes include sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls) and cozonac.
HUNGARY
Hungary has several national holidays, some of which are mandatory days off. The most important holidays are:
New Year’s Day (January 1st) – Celebrated with fireworks, family gatherings, and traditional foods to bring good luck for the new year.
Hungarian Revolution Day (March 15th) – Commemorates the 1848 Hungarian Revolution against Habsburg rule. Celebrated with ceremonies, speeches, and wearing the national colors (red, white, and green).
Good Friday & Easter (March/April, Western Christian calendar) – Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while Easter celebrates his resurrection. Traditions include church services, egg painting, and the Hungarian custom of locsolkodás, where men sprinkle women with perfume or water.
Labor Day (May 1st) – A public holiday celebrating workers’ rights, often marked with festivals and outdoor gatherings.
Pentecost & Whit Monday (May/June, Western Christian calendar) – Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, a religious holiday often spent with family.
St. Stephen’s Day (August 20th) – Hungary’s national day, honoring St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary, and the foundation of the state. Celebrated with parades, ceremonies, and fireworks over the Danube in Budapest.
1956 Revolution Memorial Day (October 23rd) – Commemorates the 1956 uprising against Soviet rule. Marked with official ceremonies and remembrances.
All Saints’ Day (November 1st) – A day to honor deceased loved ones by visiting cemeteries and lighting candles.
Christmas (December 25th & 26th) – Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, a time for festive meals, exchanging gifts, and spending time with family. Traditional Hungarian Christmas dishes include halászlé (fish soup) and bejgli (poppy seed or walnut roll).
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU AS AN EXPERT IN THE NETHERLANDS?
Employers in the Netherlands generally follow national guidelines, but the number of days off and how they are granted can vary by sector and collective labor agreement (CAO). Some companies, for example, offer extra leave days around public holidays, while others strictly adhere to the legally designated holidays. In sectors such as healthcare, logistics, and hospitality, work often continues on public holidays, usually with additional pay or compensation in leave hours.
Additionally, holidays you are accustomed to in Romania or Hungary, such as Orthodox Easter or National Holidays, may not be recognized as official public holidays in the Netherlands. In some cases, you may be able to request special leave from your employer to celebrate these days.
To avoid any surprises, it is important to carefully review your employment contract and the CAO for your sector. If in doubt, discuss with your employer the specific rules regarding public holidays and leave policies within your organization.
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