Division of School Holidays Between Parents in Rotterdam

Division of School Holidays Between Parents in Rotterdam

The division of school holidays between parents in Rotterdam describes how separated or cohabiting parents with joint parental authority fairly divide their children's school holidays. This minimizes disputes and ensures equal quality time. In Rotterdam, which falls under the South region, specific dates apply for primary and secondary schools, as set by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

What are school holidays in the South region (Rotterdam)?

School holidays include fixed free periods for pupils in primary and secondary education. They generally run from Friday to Sunday/Monday morning and include autumn, Christmas, spring, May, and summer holidays. For Rotterdam (South region), the dates vary slightly per year.

These periods are mandatory; parents may not enforce school attendance during holidays. Check current dates on the Government website.

Legal Basis in Rotterdam

The regulation falls under family law in Book 1 of the Dutch Civil Code. Parents with joint parental authority (Article 1:251 Civil Code) divide care and upbringing. Article 1:257 Civil Code requires parents not to unreasonably refuse reasonable holiday proposals. In Rotterdam, the Rotterdam District Court (Wilhelminaplein 100-125) handles disputes.

• Parenting plan (Article 1:247 Civil Code): Mandatory upon divorce, including holiday rules.
• Settlement agreement: Informal written agreements.
• Court decision: In case of dispute, the child's best interests take priority (Article 1:257 paragraph 2 Civil Code). See also our holiday arrangement page.

No rigid formula; consideration of distance, work, and child welfare is crucial, especially in a city like Rotterdam with diverse living locations.

Practical Division of School Holidays

Parents in Rotterdam document agreements in the parenting plan or a holiday addendum. Common options:

1. Alternating annually: In odd years, parent A gets summer holiday and Christmas, parent B gets autumn/spring; even years vice versa.
2. Splitting long holidays: Halve the summer (first part parent 1, remainder parent 2); rotate short holidays.
3. Time percentages: E.g., 45% per parent, plus flex days.

Example 1: Rotterdam Co-Parenting with Regional Difference

Mother in Rotterdam-South (South region), father in Utrecht (Central). Agreement: halve summer using South dates as guideline, alternate Christmas with train travel from Central Station. This balances long holidays.

Example 2: Dispute in Rotterdam

No agreement on May holiday; one parent books, the other blocks. Rotterdam Court rules (fictitious ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2023:5678): unreasonable refusal, unless child's best interests prevail (e.g., exams). Cooperation is mandatory.

Rights and Obligations

Rights:

• Submit reasonable holiday proposals (Article 1:257 Civil Code).
• Refuse if harmful to the child (e.g., medical issues).
• Proceed to Rotterdam District Court in case of deadlock.

• Child-focused consultation (Article 1:251 Civil Code).
• Respect agreements.
• Inform the child about the schedule.

In case of breach: possible adjustment of arrangement or sanction. Free advice via Rotterdam Legal Aid Office (Westblaak 180).

Frequently Asked Questions