Holiday Allowance Calculator

What holiday allowance is

Vakantiegeld is a legally required payment worth at least 8% of your gross annual salary. You accrue it month by month, usually from June to May, and your employer pays it as a lump sum in May. Some collective agreements (CAOs) are more generous than the 8% legal minimum, which is why the calculator lets you change the percentage.

Why the May payment is taxed so heavily

One-off payments like vakantiegeld are taxed at the bijzonder tarief, which sits close to your marginal rate. On top of the bracket rate, tax credits taper as income rises. The effective rate can feel steep, but if too much was withheld across the year it comes back when you file your annual return.

Is it included in my quoted salary or on top?

A quoted monthly salary in the Netherlands usually does not include holiday allowance. Your true annual gross is roughly monthly times twelve, plus 8%. When comparing job offers, check whether each figure includes vakantiegeld, because an 8% difference is real money. For your full monthly take-home picture, use the net salary calculator.

This is general information, not tax advice. Your exact net depends on your full circumstances.