When are the summer holidays of 2026?

That went by quickly, huh? So, we're still enjoying the pool at an Italian campsite, and suddenly, we're back in the dark days before Christmas. But that has its advantages: we can already start creating some holiday anticipation by preparing for the summer of 2026. Do you already have holiday plans for the new year?

For many Italy lovers, it's summer vacation or construction holiday. Not for you? Then consider yourself lucky! Even in Italy, it's wise to travel outside the peak season. You'll pay less and there will be fewer tourists. The weather is also more favorable outside the peak months of July and August for activities.

But as mentioned, most families are simply stuck with the summer holidays. That means you better plan ahead. Because now you can still take advantage of early booking discounts and have plenty of options available. holiday in ItalyIf you wait, you'll have to make do with what's left and you might end up paying top dollar.

It's a good idea to take a look at the 2026 summer holidays for the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. This applies to primary school holidays and secondary school holidays. Different dates may apply to higher education.

Summer holiday 2026 Netherlands

The Dutch government has also established the official summer holiday periods per region for 2026.

• Region North – July 4 to August 16, 2026
• Region Central – July 18 to August 30, 2026
• Region South – July 11 to August 23, 2026

This coming season, the central region will have to wait the longest for summer vacation, but children won't return to school until August 31st! The northern region, on the other hand, is scheduled to return to school in mid-August. Please note that schools are allowed to deviate from these recommended dates. Check the school guide to ensure the dates align with government guidelines.

Summer holiday 2026 Belgium

In Belgium, the summer holidays generally last the entire months of July and August, but the dates can vary depending on the community (Flemish, Walloon, German). In Flanders, there is no staggered holiday period, but one long holiday period for everyone.

From Wednesday, July 1 to Monday, August 31, 2026

In Wallonia and Brussels some school holidays fall at different times. 

View the school holidays on the website of the French Community.

Summer holiday 2026 Germany

In Germany, the summer vacation period varies by state. The summer school holidays are as follows for each state:

• Baden-Württemberg – from July 30 to September 12, 2026
• Bavaria – from August 3 to September 14, 2026
• Berlin – from July 9 to August 22, 2026
• Brandenburg – from July 9 to August 22, 2026
• Bremen – from July 2 to August 12, 2026
• Hamburg – from July 9 to August 19, 2026
• Hessen – from June 29 to August 7, 2026
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – from July 13 to August 22, 2026
• Lower Saxony – from July 2 to August 12, 2026
• North Rhine-Westphalia – from July 20 to September 1, 2026
• Rhineland-Palatinate – from June 29 to August 7, 2026
• Saarland – from June 29 to August 7, 2026
• Saxony – from July 4 to August 14, 2026
• Saxony-Anhalt – from July 4 to August 14, 2026
• Schleswig-Holstein – from July 4 to August 15, 2026
• Thuringia – from July 4 to August 14, 2026

Summer holiday 2026 Italy

Then there's the summer holidays in Italy. They're known to be the longest in all of Europe. Italian schoolchildren have a full 15 weeks of vacation, roughly from early June to early September. However, most families traditionally take their vacation in August. Roughly speaking, half of the families seek the coolness of the mountains, while the other half head to the seaside.

In August Cities are emptying and public life is practically grinding to a halt. Shops, museums, and restaurants often close for weeks at a time.

There are no uniform guidelines for school holidays from the national government. The exact dates may vary regionally or from school to school.

In many regions, the summer holidays will begin on June 8th in 2026, but in the Trentino and Valle d'Aosta regions, children will usually continue school for an extra week.

In the week of September 7, schools will start again in many regions. The exact dates used depend on the region.

When are the Black Saturdays of 2026?

More important than the exact school holiday dates of the region you are going to are the so-called black Saturdays, those days when the route to and from the south is extra busy. Incidentally, these days are often entire weekends that are best avoided, or when you have to leave extra early or late.

It concerns the last two weekends of July and the first two weekends of August. In 2026, these are the weekends of July 18 and 25 and August 1 and 8.

Official calendars with expected traffic will follow. Keep an eye on the ANWB website for this information. Peak traffic is usually around 1:00 PM.

More tips to prepare for your summer holidays

What else can you do now to prepare for the 2026 summer holidays? Here are some helpful tips that can also help you get excited.

Have your car checked

Do you have an older car? Then it's a good idea to take it to the garage again before the hot drive south. Keep in mind that garages are busy in the run-up to summer. Schedule your maintenance in advance and have them pay special attention to the air conditioning and tires. You don't want any surprises during your holiday in Italy.

Check your insurance before departure

If you're traveling to Italy by car, it's wise to check how your car insurance covers breakdowns, damage, or replacement transportation abroad. Don't forget your health insurance either: Dutch basic health insurance only covers medical expenses up to the rate applicable in the Netherlands. If you want a worry-free trip, consider annual travel insurance with cancellation coverage. This will prevent unpleasant surprises.

What must be in the car?

The rules vary by European country. In some countries, you must be able to display a high-visibility vest, while in others, a warning triangle or a first aid kit are mandatory. In Italy, a warning triangle and a high-visibility vest are mandatory in the car.

So, check well in advance which items are required in your car for your route. This way, you'll comply with the law and avoid fines.

Book early if you are tied to fixed dates

If you can't choose your vacation period freely—for example, due to school holidays or agreements with your employer—it's wise to book your trip to Italy well in advance. Popular coastal areas and the well-known lakes, in particular, fill up quickly.

This doesn't just apply to your final destination: accommodations along the main routes to Italy also fill up quickly during the busiest weeks of July and August.

If you do have freedom in your planning, you can wait for last-minute or special offers that often only appear a few weeks before the summer.

Book your flight and rental car well in advance

Flights tend to be more expensive in the summer, but those who book early can still find good deals. So, check the fares for flights to your favorite Italian region now.

Anyone traveling by plane almost always needs a rental car. Italy is vast, the distances are considerable, and public transport, except for the high-speed trains, is not always reliable. During peak season, the availability of rental cars is limited, so booking well in advance will prevent disappointment and high prices.