Labour Day

Labour Day is marked on 1 May in many countries. In Dutch, it is called Dag van de Arbeid.

But the Netherlands is unusual. Unlike many European countries, 1 May is not a national public holiday here. Most people work. Schools stay open. Shops follow normal opening hours.

This surprises many newcomers. Belgium, Germany, France and many other European countries treat 1 May as a day off. The Netherlands usually does not.

That does not mean Labour Day is unknown. Trade unions, political groups and activists still mark the day with speeches, meetings or demonstrations. But for most Dutch residents, 1 May is a normal working day.

Is Labour Day a public holiday in the Netherlands?

No. Labour Day is not a public holiday in the Netherlands.

The Dutch government’s official public holiday list does not include Labour Day. The list includes holidays such as New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter, King’s Day, Liberation Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost and Christmas, but not 1 May.

So if you work or study in the Netherlands, you should expect a normal day on 1 May unless your employer, school or sector says otherwise.

Some international organisations, embassies or companies with foreign policies may still observe it. But that is the exception, not the national rule.

Why is Labour Day not a day off?

There is no single simple reason. It is a mix of history, politics and Dutch labour culture.

In many countries, 1 May became a strong symbol of workers’ rights, unions and socialist politics. In the Netherlands, the labour movement was influential, but it was often less revolutionary and more focused on negotiation, collective agreements and political compromise.

Radboud University explains that revolutionary workers’ traditions had less influence in the Netherlands than in countries such as France, Spain and Italy. As a result, the labour movement was never able to secure 1 May as a national Dutch public holiday.

There is another practical reason: the Dutch calendar already has several spring holidays around the same period. King’s Day is on 27 April. Remembrance Day is on 4 May. Liberation Day is on 5 May. Easter, Ascension Day and Pentecost also fall in spring.

So 1 May never became the obvious national day off that it became elsewhere.

What is the history of Labour Day?

International Labour Day began in the late 19th century.

The modern tradition is linked to the international labour movement and the campaign for the eight-hour working day. Dutch trade union FNV traces the origin to 1889, when the Second International called for demonstrations the following year. In 1890, workers in the United States and across Europe demonstrated for better working conditions, the eight-hour day and peace.

The Netherlands also had May Day demonstrations from the 1890s onward. But the day never became a full national holiday.

Labour rights improved through unions, political parties, strikes, laws and collective bargaining. The eight-hour working day became a major labour victory in the early 20th century. But 1 May itself stayed a working day for most people.

How do Dutch unions mark Labour Day?

Trade unions still use 1 May to draw attention to workers’ rights.

The biggest Dutch union, FNV, often organises events, campaigns or gatherings around Labour Day. These may focus on wages, working conditions, pensions, inequality, job security or social justice.

The exact programme changes each year. Some events are political. Some are educational. Some are community-based.

So Labour Day in the Netherlands exists, but it is not a mass national day off. It is more visible in union circles than in everyday life.

Do people demonstrate on 1 May?

Sometimes, yes.

There may be demonstrations, union meetings, left-wing political events or local gatherings. These are usually smaller than in countries where 1 May is a major public holiday.

In Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and other cities, you may see events linked to unions, workers’ rights, anti-racism, housing, migration or social justice.

But if you are expecting the whole country to shut down or fill with parades, that is not how Labour Day works in the Netherlands.

Labour Day vs King’s Day

One reason 1 May feels less visible is its position in the Dutch calendar.

King’s Day is on 27 April. It is the biggest national celebration in the Netherlands. Streets turn orange, cities organise events and many people have the day off.

Just a few days later comes 1 May, Labour Day. But there is no national holiday mood. People return to work and school.

Then come Remembrance Day on 4 May and Liberation Day on 5 May.

Because of this crowded spring calendar, Labour Day has never had the same cultural space in the Netherlands as it has in some neighbouring countries.

Labour Day vs Liberation Day

Labour Day and Liberation Day are often compared because both fall in early May.

Labour Day is on 1 May and focuses on workers’ rights.

Liberation Day is on 5 May and celebrates freedom after the end of the German occupation in 1945.

Liberation Day is an official national holiday, although not everyone gets it as a paid day off every year. Labour Day is not an official national public holiday at all.

This difference is important for expats. If you see May Day listed as a holiday in other countries, do not assume the same applies in the Netherlands.

Are shops open on Labour Day?

Yes, most shops are open on Labour Day.

Because 1 May is not a public holiday in the Netherlands, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, museums and public transport usually follow normal schedules.

There may be small exceptions. Some international businesses, unions or organisations may close or hold internal events. But normal public life continues.

If 1 May falls on a Sunday, then normal Sunday opening rules apply.

Are schools and offices open?

Yes, schools and offices are usually open on Labour Day.

Dutch schools do not close for 1 May as a national rule. Offices, government services and most businesses also stay open.

There may be exceptions for some international schools, embassies, European organisations or companies with foreign calendars. But the Dutch national system treats 1 May as a normal day.

Practical tips for newcomers

• Do not assume you have the day off on 1 May.
• Check your work calendar if your employer is international.
• Expect normal public transport and shop hours.
• If you want to attend a Labour Day event, check union websites such as FNV or local activist groups.
• Remember that nearby countries may treat 1 May differently. If you work with Belgium, Germany or France, your colleagues there may be off while you are working.

Is Labour Day worth knowing about?

Yes, because it reveals something important about the Netherlands.

The Dutch do have strong labour rights, unions and collective agreements. But the country’s labour culture often works through negotiation and institutional compromise rather than one large annual public holiday.

That is why 1 May can feel strangely quiet in the Netherlands.

Labour Day exists here. It has history. It has political meaning. But for most people, it is still a working day.

Frequently asked questions