Home education in the Netherlands (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Parents must ensure the child is enrolled at a school. An exemption applies only on the grounds listed in the Compulsory Education Act.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Legal status of home educationChildren of compulsory school age | No general right; narrow exemptions only [1] |
| Nature of the parental dutyChildren of compulsory school age | Duty to attend or be enrolled at school [1] |
| Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school age | There is no general home-education route. A parent is exempt from the enrolment duty only while one of the grounds in the Act applies: the child is not fit for school on physical or psychological grounds, serious objections exist to the denomination or philosophy of all schools within reasonable distance, the child is enrolled at a school outside the Netherlands, or the family leads an itinerant life. Requests for a full exemption go to the municipal attendance officer before 1 July and apply for one school year. [1] |
| Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school age | From the first school day of the month after the child turns five until the end of the school year in which the child turns sixteen. A qualification duty then applies until the age of 18 or until a basic qualification is obtained. [1] |
Notes
- The exemption grounds are listed in articles 5 and 5a of the Compulsory Education Act. The Act does not contain a general right to teach children at home.
- The Act requires enrolment as a pupil at a school; it does not use the term school attendance.
Sources
- Overheid.nl (wetten.overheid.nl): Leerplichtwet 1969 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.