Holiday pay as a freelancer: how to set money aside for your days off
Written by Ilias Aarrass5 min read · Published on · Last reviewed on 
In short
A freelancer has no statutory right to holiday pay or paid holiday days. So you build weeks off into your hourly rate, by calculating with about 43 workable weeks instead of 52, and set aside a fixed amount every month in a separate account.
- Holiday pay and holiday days are employee rights, not freelancer rights.
- Calculate with about 43.5 workable weeks after holidays, public holidays and illness.
- With a desired profit of € 60,000 you need to earn about € 225 extra every working week.
- Holiday costs are private and not deductible.
An employee receives at least 8 per cent holiday pay in May or June and keeps their salary when they go on holiday for two weeks. As a freelancer you have neither. If you are away for three weeks, you invoice nothing for three weeks while your fixed costs simply continue. That is no reason never to take time off, but it is a reason to arrange it in advance. In this article you will read how to build days off into your hourly rate, how much to set aside each month and how to keep that money apart so you do not spend it by accident.
No holiday pay, but still holidays
Freelancers have no statutory right to holiday pay or holiday days. Those rules only apply to employees, see holiday pay and holiday days for staff. You decide for yourself how much time off you take. All that matters is that your annual turnover also covers the weeks you do not work.
Many freelancers calculate with 52 weeks of turnover and get a shock in the summer. It is better to be realistic: take holidays, public holidays and a few sick days off the year, and spread your desired income over the weeks that remain.
| Item | Weeks |
|---|---|
| Weeks in a year | 52 |
| Holidays | minus 5 |
| Public holidays | minus 1.5 |
| Illness and room for setbacks | minus 2 |
| Workable weeks | 43.5 |
Days off in your hourly rate
The most reliable way is to build your weeks off straight into your hourly rate. You then calculate not with 52 but with about 43 workable weeks. That makes your rate higher, and rightly so: your client then also contributes to your holiday, just as an employer does.
Worked example: what do five weeks of holiday cost?
- Desired profit per year
- € 60,000
- Divided by 52 weeks
- € 1,154 a week
- Divided by 43.5 workable weeks
- € 1,379 a week
- Difference per working week
- € 225
Result: To pay for your weeks off, you need to make about € 225 extra profit in every working week. You put that amount aside for your holiday.
How to set your holiday money aside
You do not save per holiday, but a fixed amount every month. Then the money is ready when you leave, and an empty month does not catch you out.
- Next to your business account, open a separate account for reserves.
- Each month, first transfer the tax you expect to pay.
- Then set aside a fixed amount for days off, for example 10 to 12 per cent of your net income.
- In your holiday month, simply pay yourself your normal private withdrawal from that account.
Holidays, hours and tax
Holiday days do not count towards the 1,225-hour criterion. With 43 working weeks of 30 hours you comfortably exceed that threshold, but if you work part-time, keep your time records up to date. The cost of your holiday is private and therefore not deductible. If you combine a trip with work, read combining a business trip with a holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Is a freelancer entitled to holiday pay?
No. Holiday pay is an employee's right. As a freelancer you set it aside yourself via your rate and a fixed monthly amount.
How much holiday does an average freelancer take?
That varies widely. Build at least four to five weeks plus public holidays into your rate, so you do not have to choose between time off and paying your bills.
Can I charge my client holiday pay?
Not as a separate item. You build it into your hourly or project rate, just like your other costs and your business risk.
Sources
- How much holiday pay do employees get?Rijksoverheid · rijksoverheid.nl
- How to calculate your hourly rateKVK · kvk.nl
Sources checked on
This article provides general information based on the rules known for 2026 and does not replace personal tax advice. For your specific situation, we're happy to take a look with you.
