What are the rules on compulsory education (leerplichtwet) in the Netherlands? From what age is a child subject to compulsory education? We explain this and much more.
Schoolchildren between the ages of 5 and 16 are subject to compulsory education. Young people aged 16 to 18 who have not yet obtained an exit qualification are subject to compulsory education. The exit qualification is (at least) a havo, vwo or mbo diploma (level 2 or higher). The qualification obligation does not apply to young people who have received practical vocational training or day care in secondary special education.
All children between the ages of 5 and 16 living in the Netherlands are subject to compulsory schooling. This also applies to children of other nationalities. And also for children of asylum seekers and foreigners.
Most children already go to school at the age of four. But then they are not yet subject to compulsory education. Compulsory schooling starts on the 1st of the new month after the child turns 5. From this point onwards, parents or guardians who keep a child at home are also penalised.
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