Holiday allowance? For 1 in 4 Dutch people, it's not a luxury; it's a necessity

Amersfoort, May 8, 2025 – Despite the current economic uncertainty, holiday allowance is still widely used for vacations. However, this is not the case for everyone; 1 in 4 people use their holiday allowance just to make ends meet. This is the outcome of a representative study conducted by Q&A Retail in collaboration with Buckaroo, involving 1,242 Dutch consumers. 

Holiday allowance spent on vacations, savings, and bills

As many as 85% of respondents say they already know how they will spend their holiday allowance, which is typically paid out in May. The most popular destination remains "vacation" (46%), followed by saving (33%), which shows a slight decrease compared to previous studies (2021 and 2018). Other planned expenditures include day trips (16%), paying off bills or debts (15%), investing (8%), and spending at bars and restaurants (7%). One in seven Dutch people are still undecided about how they’ll use the money—particularly those over 55.

Not a celebration for everyone: 1 in 4 use holiday allowance to make ends meet

For 26% of Dutch consumers, the holiday allowance is not a bonus, but a necessity. This group uses the amount to stay financially afloat. Of these, 76% say their need for this financial support has increased since last year. Respondents who spend their holiday allowance on such obligations also indicate that they feel they have (much) less disposable income than the average Dutch household.

Shift in spending behavior

One in seven Dutch people (14%) say they will spend their holiday allowance differently this year compared to previous years. Among those cutting back on hospitality, (online) shopping, and day trips, 20% plan to reduce spending in these areas.

What if there were no holiday allowance?

If no holiday allowance were given at all, 36% would spend less on a vacation. Of this group, 59% would choose a cheaper destination (usually by opting for more affordable accommodation rather than a different country); 13% would spend less at the destination; and 28% would do both. In any case, the desire for a vacation remains strong—especially among younger people, who are sticking to their travel plans.

Fourteen percent would not go on vacation at all if they did not receive holiday allowance. Among those who perceive themselves as having (much) less to spend than average, this figure rises to 29%.

Preferred vacation payment methods

When booking vacations, iDEAL is by far the most popular payment method (61%), followed by creditcards (23%). Paying afterward (4%), PayPal (5%) and Apple Pay/Google Pay (2%) are far less commonly used.

About the study

The study on holiday allowance was conducted by Q&A Retail in collaboration with Buckaroo. It was carried out in weeks 16 and 17 of 2025 in the form of an online survey among 1,242 Dutch consumers. The results are representative in terms of both age and gender.