Homeschooling in the Netherlands

A lot of parents nowadays find themselves questioning the “classical” school approach. It may feel like it does not quite fit their family situation or suit their child’s individual needs. Parents often look for more flexibility, a slower pace and a sense that education adapts to the child  not the other way around. In some countries, homeschooling is a common and well-understood response to these concerns. But how exactly does it work in the Netherlands? Let’s take a closer look.

In short, homeschooling in the Netherlands is considered an exception rather than an actual alternative to school education. This is why, before you seriously consider this option, it is important to understand how it works in practice and what limitations are likely to be faced along the way.

Why are the rules around homeschooling so strict?

The Dutch education system is built around the idea of a child’s participation in a society. School is seen not only as a place to gain academic knowledge, but also as a space where children learn to interact with others and become part of a community.

For this reason, compulsory education law plays a central role in the system. From the very beginning, homeschooling was viewed only as a rare and necessary solution for exceptional cases.

This approach was established in the early 20th century and remains largely unchanged today.

When is homeschooling still possible?

Legally, there is a possibility to apply for an exemption from compulsory school attendance (vrijstelling van de leerplicht). However, this exemption is granted only under very specific conditions:

1. The child must not have been enrolled in any school in the Netherlands before.
2. Parents must hold clear religious or philosophical beliefs.
3. These beliefs must be incompatible with education at any available school in reasonable distance from their home.

Applications are reviewed individually by the municipality. In practice, approvals are rare and the requirements are strict.

It is important to note that reasons related to teaching methods, academic pressure, learning pace, or a child’s emotional well-being are not considered sufficient grounds for homeschooling.

What if parents feel the traditional school system is not the right fit?

In most cases, interest in homeschooling comes from very understandable and human reasons. Parents want their child to experience less stress, receive more individual attention and have the opportunity to learn at a pace that suits them personally.

Unfortunately, from a legal perspective, this alone is not enough to qualify for homeschooling in the Netherlands. So what options do families have if the traditional school system does not feel like the right fit?

Some families explore schools with alternative educational approaches, private or international schools, or use online learning programmes as additional support rather than a replacement for a regular school. In certain situations, it may also be possible to reach individual arrangements with a school, especially during challenging periods. In many cases, these alternatives turn out to be the most realistic and sustainable solution.

If you would like to explore which alternatives might work best for your child, feel free to reach out. We will be happy to advise you and talk through the options together.