School holidays in Europe 2025-2026
The school-holiday calendar across 12 European countries, so you can plan your next home exchange with Homeforswap.
Planning a family holiday? The school-holiday calendar is the key to landing the home exchange that suits you — especially if you’re aiming for off-season travel or want to take advantage of the gaps between zones.
On Homeforswap, thousands of families list their homes every year. Knowing the holiday dates abroad helps you target listings most likely to be available right when you need them.
2025-2026 calendar by country
| Country | Autumn (All Saints) | Christmas | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France | 18 Oct – 3 Nov | 20 Dec – 5 Jan | 14 Feb – 9 Mar | 11 Apr – 27 Apr | 5 Jul – 31 Aug |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 25 Oct – 2 Nov | 22 Dec – 4 Jan | 14 Feb – 22 Feb | 4 Apr – 19 Apr | 1 Jul – 31 Aug |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 20 Oct – 31 Oct | 22 Dec – 6 Jan | varies by Land | varies by Land | 30 Jun – 12 Sep |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 1 Nov | 23 Dec – 6 Jan | 16 Feb – 21 Feb | 2 Apr – 7 Apr | 10 Jun – 8 Sep |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 31 Oct – 2 Nov | 23 Dec – 7 Jan | varies by region | Holy Week | 22 Jun – 8 Sep |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | 31 Oct – 2 Nov | 20 Dec – 3 Jan | 16 Feb – 18 Feb | 22 Mar – 6 Apr | 27 Jun – 7 Sep |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 27 Oct – 31 Oct | 22 Dec – 2 Jan | 16 Feb – 20 Feb | 30 Mar – 10 Apr | 22 Jul – 1 Sep |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | 27 Oct – 31 Oct | 22 Dec – 5 Jan | 16 Feb – 20 Feb | 30 Mar – 10 Apr | 27 Jun – 31 Aug |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 18 Oct – 26 Oct | 20 Dec – 4 Jan | 14 Feb – 22 Feb | 25 Apr – 5 May | 4 Jul – 6 Sep |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 27 Sep – 12 Oct | 20 Dec – 4 Jan | varies by canton | varies by canton | 5 Jul – 16 Aug |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | 28 Oct | 24 Dec – 7 Jan | Carnival | Orthodox Easter | 15 Jun – 10 Sep |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | 27 Oct – 31 Oct | 22 Dec – 7 Jan | 23 Feb – 1 Mar | 6 Apr – 13 Apr | 15 Jun – 18 Aug |
Indicative 2025-2026 dates. Check with the country’s Ministry of Education for official dates. Some countries (Germany, Switzerland) vary by Land or canton.
Why plan your exchange around school holidays?
📅 Target listings more effectively
Families free up their homes mainly during school holidays. Knowing their dates saves you from asking for an exchange when the host is at home.
🌍 Take advantage of date gaps
School zones differ from one country to another. By travelling just before or after your own holidays, you skip the high season and reach hosts who are more available.
💰 Save on travel
Home exchange saves a family between €500 and €2,000 per week of holiday on average. On Homeforswap, a single subscription gives access to unlimited exchanges for one year.
How does Homeforswap work?
- Sign up for free — A few minutes are enough. No credit card required at sign-up.
- Publish your listing — Photos of your home, amenities, dream destinations: 15 minutes for a listing that attracts.
- Reach out to a host on the dates that suit you — Use secure messaging to agree on the details, sign the exchange contract, and off you go!
Also worth a look: pet-friendly homes · trip to Europe · all our destinations