Taking statutory and non-statutory holidays

Everyone has statutory and possibly extra-statutory holidays. But what's the difference? And what are the arrangements with planning or paying these days?  

Statutory and non-statutory holidays

Statutory and non-statutory holidays, both have their own rules.

Statutory vacation days : These are the vacation days that every employee gets anyway. The number of days is calculated by multiplying the working time per week, times 4. Een example: you work 40 hours a week, so 40 x 4 = 160 hours. That is 20 statutory vacation days per year.

Holidays in addition to statutory holidays : These are all the extra holiday days you get per year.

Expiration of holidays

If you do not take statutory vacation days in a working year, you take these with you to the next working year. These will then remain valid for another 6 months, unless a longer term has been agreed in the collective labor agreement. Een shorter term is not possible. After the agreed term, the holidays expire. You can save and take holidays in addition to statutory holidays for up to 5 years after the working year in which they were accrued. If you have accrued these days in 2018, they will be valid until 2023.

When do you take vacation days

As an employee you can determine when you take your vacation days. How you include them varies from employer to employer. The employer may also designate compulsory days off, but this must be stated in the collective labor agreement or employment contract.

Paying vacation days

Statutory holidays may not be paid out, but must be taken. They are only paid out in the final settlement when your contract expires. You are therefore still entitled to leave. At your new employer you can still take your paid statutory holidays as unpaid leave.

Extra-statutory holidays may always be paid at the employee's request. Een employer may not oblige you to have this paid out or withdrawn. This must always be agreed in consultation.

Source:   https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/vakantiedagen-en-vakantiegeld/vragen-en- Antwoord/hoe-kan-ik-mijn-vakantiedagen-opnemen