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Exemptions from compulsory school attendance in the Netherlands

Children aged 5 to 16 are obliged to attend full-time education. In certain circumstances, your child might be exempted from compulsory school attendance. This is called vrijstelling van leerplicht (exemption from compulsory school attendance). In that case, your child does not have to go to school. Where you apply for the exemption depends on the situation.

Exemption

With an exemption from compulsory education, your child does not have to attend school. There are 3 types of exemption (in Dutch):

Can your 5-year-old child not yet cope with a full school week? Then your child may attend school for 5 hours less. You can request this from the head of the primary school. Does your child need more rest? Then you may request an additional 5 hours of exemption. This too can be requested from the head of the primary school.

In some cases, you can request exemption for part of the school year for your child. This can be done with the municipality. You must do this before 1 July for each school year. These are a few situations in which you can request exemption:

  • Your child is seriously ill. Or your child is facing challenges such as autism or depression. For exemption, you need a statement from a doctor, psychologist or educator. Your child's own GP may not make this declaration.
  • You have an objection about the philosophy or religion being taught at the school in your neighbourhood. You can apply for exemption in this case op grond van richtingbezwaar (on grounds of directional objection). For this exemption, you must make a declaration to your municipality.
  • Your child is registered in the Netherlands, but attends school abroad. For this exemption, you must make a declaration to your municipality.
  • You have a travelling profession, for example as a circus artist. Your child can be exempted from enrolling in a school for part of the year. For this exemption, you must make a declaration to your municipality.

There are times when your child does not have to attend school for good reason. This is called geoorloofd schoolverzuim (permissible school absence). Examples of permissible school absenteeism are:

Your child is ill. Report this to the headmaster of your school within 2 days.

  • Does your child have to attend a wedding or funeral? If so, the school headmaster must give permission in advance.
  • Do you want your child to be free on a (religious) holiday such as Eid al-Fitr or Yom Kippur? If so, tell the head of the school in advance. Apply for exemption from the head of the school for this purpose.

Your child will only be given leave to go on holiday outside the school holidays if:

  • it is not in the first 2 weeks after the summer holidays;
  • your work prevents you from going on holiday during the school holidays;
  • you have not yet been on holiday outside the school holidays this school year;
  • you cannot go on holiday with your family 2 weeks in a row, in any school holidays.

This is how it works for you

Your (future) place of residence falls under:
Informatie:

Here is some information from your municipality.

Request exemption from compulsory education

The municipality may grant an exemption from compulsory education for your child. This means that it does not have to go to school. This is possible, for example, if your child is unable to attend education due to psychological or physical complaints. Or if your child goes to a foreign school. 

Is your child nearing the end of the compulsory school age and is he or she having trouble at school? Your child may be able to follow a different program in that year. This is the replacement compulsory education.

The alternative compulsory education program consists of general education and vocational education. It also includes practice time. This is light work.

If your child starts this process, you must register it with an institution where it can follow this adapted education.

The Municipality of Maastricht ensures the implementation and enforcement of compulsory education for 6 municipalities in South Limburg. Also for the municipality of Meerssen. If you have any questions, please contact the Compulsory Education team of the Municipality of Maastricht.

Please note: you can only apply for an exemption from compulsory education if you live in the Netherlands and are registered with a municipality.

The conditions for applying for an exemption from compulsory education include:

  • Your child has physical or psychological problems. The municipality needs a statement from a doctor or a psychologist for this.
  • Your child is registered at a school abroad. For example in Germany or Belgium if you live in the border region.
  • There are objections to the philosophical orientation of schools in your neighbourhood.
  • You lead an active life with your child. For example as a fair operator or circus employee.

The conditions for applying for a replacement compulsory education include:

  • Your child has difficulty following the lessons at school.
  • Your child is in the last year of the compulsory education period (before his or her 16th year).
  • Your child is 14 years or older. Is the child not in the last year of compulsory education? Then you must prove that your child is not suitable for full-time education at a school.

How to apply for an exemption from compulsory education and a replacement compulsory education for your child:

  • You and the school contact the attendance officer.
  • You pass on, among other things:
    • how old is your child
    • why your child needs an exemption from compulsory education or a replacement compulsory education
    • from when the exemption or replacement compulsory education must start
    • in the case of replacement compulsory education: a guidance program for your child

You can lodge an objection with the municipality against the decision of the attendance officer. You do this within 6 weeks. Do you subsequently disagree with the decision on the notice of objection? Then file an appeal with the court.

Questions about this topic?

Contact the Municipality of Meerssen