Updated for 2026

Holiday allowance calculator 2026

This holiday allowance calculator shows how much vakantiegeld you get in May 2026, before and after tax.

Your details

More options
State pension (AOW) age?

Net holiday allowance

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Gross holiday allowance –

Tax withheld (special rate)
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Special rate
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Accrual per month (gross)
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Pro rata
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Payout
Usually in May

Estimate based on the 2026 rates. Not financial advice.

How it works

Enter your gross monthly pay, without holiday allowance. Keep the percentage at 8%, unless your contract or cao (collective labour agreement) says more. Then set how many months you worked in the build-up year, from June to May.

You see four things:

  • your gross holiday allowance for the whole period;
  • what you build up each month;
  • how much is withheld with the special rate;
  • the net amount you can expect in your bank account.

The rules in 2026

At least 8%

Vakantiegeld (holiday allowance) is part of your pay by law. You get at least 8% of your gross wage. It is not a gift from your employer, and it does not depend on whether you go on holiday.

Built up from June to May

You earn a little holiday allowance every month you work. The build-up year runs from 1 June to 31 May. Most employers pay it all at once in May. By law it must be paid in June at the latest. Some employers pay it out every month instead. Then you see it on each payslip.

Started or left during the year?

Then you get holiday allowance only for the months you worked. This is called pro rata. Set the months slider to the right number. If you leave your job, what you built up is usually settled with your final pay.

Why the net amount feels small

Holiday allowance is a one-off payment. Your employer does not use the normal monthly table for it, but the bijzonder tarief (special rate). That rate is based on your yearly wage. It is close to the tax you pay on your next euro.

So the tax share is higher than on your monthly salary. Part of the reason is the tax credits. Above €29,736 a year, your general tax credit gets smaller as you earn more. Extra pay therefore costs you twice: once in tax and once in lost credit.

Want to see your full yearly net pay with holiday allowance included? Use the gross to net calculator. If your employer also pays a 13th month, the 13th month pay calculator works the same way.

Tips

  • Check your payslip for a line called "reservering vakantiegeld". It shows what you have built up so far.
  • On the minimum wage? Holiday allowance comes on top of it. See the minimum wage 2026 page.
  • Pension contributions are not included here. They can make the real amount a little different.

Example: €3,200 gross per month

Daan earns €3,200 gross per month. His contract gives him the legal 8%. He builds up €256 holiday allowance each month.

Full year (12 months)Started in November (7 months)
Gross holiday allowance€3,072.00€1,792.00
Withheld (special rate)€1,281.74€744.04
Net in May€1,790.26€1,047.96

About 42% of Daan's holiday allowance goes to tax. On his normal monthly pay the share is much lower.

Frequently asked questions

When is holiday allowance paid in the Netherlands?

Most employers pay it in May, together with your salary. The law says it must be paid in June at the latest. Some employers pay it each month instead, as a small extra on every payslip. Your contract or collective labour agreement tells you which applies to you.

Is holiday allowance taxed?
Yes. It is taxed with the bijzonder tarief (special rate), which is based on your yearly wage. That rate is close to your marginal rate, so the tax share is higher than on your monthly salary. In the example on this page, about 42% is withheld.
Do I get holiday allowance if I work part time?

Yes. You get at least 8% of the gross wage you actually earn. If you work fewer hours, your wage is lower and so is your holiday allowance. The percentage stays the same. Enter your real part-time monthly pay in the calculator.

What happens to my holiday allowance when I leave my job?

Your employer pays out the holiday allowance you built up so far. This usually comes with your final payslip. Set the months slider to the number of months you worked since 1 June to see the estimate. Check your final payslip to make sure the amount is on it.

Can my employer pay more than 8%?

Yes. 8% is the legal minimum. Some collective labour agreements or contracts give more. Change the percentage field to the number in your contract and the calculator updates right away. The gross amount, the tax and the net amount all change with it.

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Last updated: 23 October 2026 · Sources: Rijksoverheid – holiday allowance, Belastingdienst – special rate