{"id":41001,"date":"2024-03-22T14:21:20","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T13:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oomen.com\/blog-en\/leave-for-relocation-when-are-you-entitled-to-it\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T09:59:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T07:59:08","slug":"leave-for-relocation-when-are-you-entitled-to-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oomen.com\/en\/blog-en\/leave-for-relocation-when-are-you-entitled-to-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Leave for Moving: When Are You Entitled to It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Summary: Leave <\/strong>for moving is not required by law in the Netherlands and depends on what is specified in your collective bargaining agreement, employment contract, or employee handbook. In some cases, you may be entitled to one or two days of special leave, but if this isn\u2019t specified, you can use vacation days or take unpaid leave. The rules vary depending on your employment status, such as permanent, temporary, on-call, or self-employed. You should request time off through your employer or HR, preferably well in advance. If your request is denied, you can discuss alternatives such as working from home or adjusted work hours. If you are granted time off, good planning or hiring a moving company can help reduce stress. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

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Moving can be an exciting and stressful time, especially when you have to juggle it with your work commitments. Fortunately, there\u2019s such a thing as moving leave, which can give you some breathing room during this hectic period. Wondering when you\u2019re eligible for this special leave? Read on for all the information and guidelines! <\/span><\/p>\n\n

What is relocation leave?<\/h2>\n\n

Moving leave is a special type of leave that allows employees to take time off from work in connection with a planned move. This type of leave is intended to support employees in organizing and carrying out their moving plans, so they can better focus on this important event in their lives. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Am I entitled to time off during my move? <\/h2>\n\n

That depends on the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) your employer follows, or the provisions set forth in your contract or the employee handbook. In some cases, you may be given two days to move, but that is not always the case. Your employer is not legally required to grant you a day off to move. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

If you’d like to learn more about the rules and guidelines regarding leave, take a look at the<\/span><\/i> Dutch government<\/span><\/i><\/a> for more information.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n

Am I entitled to special leave or unpaid leave while I’m moving?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n

In the Netherlands, moving is generally considered special leave, but only if this is specified in your collective bargaining agreement, employment contract, or employee handbook. Special leave is leave granted for personal circumstances that are not covered by your regular vacation allowance, such as a wedding, the death of a close relative, and, therefore, a move. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

If there are no specific provisions regarding relocation leave, then unfortunately you are not automatically entitled to special leave. In that case, you can request unpaid leave or use your regular vacation days. Many employers are understanding about this, especially if you give them plenty of notice about the move and clearly communicate how much time you\u2019ll need. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Right to Leave Under Different Types of Employment Arrangements<\/b><\/h2>\n\n

When taking leave to move, it\u2019s important to understand your rights based on your employment status. Whether you have a permanent contract, are employed on a temporary basis, or work as a self-employed person, your situation determines how many days of leave you can take. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Permanent contract <\/b><\/h3>\n\n

For a permanent contract, the terms set forth in the collective bargaining agreement, employment contract, or employee handbook apply. If relocation leave is included in those documents, you are entitled to it. This often amounts to one or two days of paid special leave. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Temporary contract<\/b><\/h3>\n\n

Even with a temporary contract, you may be entitled to time off for moving, as long as this is specified in the collective bargaining agreement or your employment contract. The type of contract usually doesn\u2019t matter in this regard, but it is important that your contract is still in effect at the time of the move. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

On-call worker<\/b><\/h3>\n\n

For on-call workers, moving leave is less commonly provided. If you don\u2019t have set hours and haven\u2019t made an agreement regarding special leave, a moving day is often unpaid or counts as a day you weren\u2019t called in. It\u2019s important to discuss this with your employer. <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n\n

Independent Professionals <\/b><\/h3>\n\n

As a self-employed professional, you\u2019re usually free to manage your own schedule and work. This means that requesting time off for a move often requires coordination with your clients. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

How do I request time off for a move?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n

As an employee, are you entitled to time off for a move? You usually request this time off through your employer or HR department. Follow these steps: <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Step 1: Submit a leave request<\/b><\/h3>\n\n

Request the leave through the system your employer uses (such as an HR portal) or by email to your supervisor. Clearly state that the leave is related to a move. Try to request your leave as far in advance as possible so that your employer can take this into account when planning and to maximize your chances of having your leave request approved. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Step 2: Specify the type of leave<\/b><\/h3>\n\n

Please specify the type of leave:<\/span><\/p>\n\n