Rules around working hours and internship.

If your child is going to do an internship, there are some rules about working hours that everyone must follow. These are in the working hours law. We will show you which rules apply.

Internship hours for child aged 16 or 17

Is your child 16 or 17 years old? Then these rules apply:

• Your child may not work between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM or 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
• Your child must have one break of 30 minutes or two breaks of 15 minutes if the shift is longer than 4.5 hours.
• Your child must have at least 12 hours of rest per day.
• Your child must have at least 36 hours of rest per week (7 times 24 hours).
• Your child has at least 13 free Sundays per 52 weeks.
• Night shifts are not allowed.
• Your child works a maximum of nine hours per shift.
• Your child works a maximum of 45 hours per week.
• Every four weeks, your child has an average work time of 40 hours per week.

School time counts as working time. So if your child spends six hours at school in a day, they may only work three hours that day. 

Internship hours for child aged 18 or older 

Is your child 18 years or older? Then these rules apply: 

• Your child works a maximum of 12 hours per shift
• Your child works a maximum of 60 hours per week. Your child may not work 60 hours every week. Over 4 weeks, your child can work an average of 55 hours per week. A collective labor agreement can make exceptions, but working more than 60 hours a week is not allowed. Over 16 weeks, your child can work an average of 48 hours per week. 

Vacation days

During the internship, your child has fewer free days than at school. So it can happen that your child is expected at the internship during school holidays. Which free days your child can take is agreed with the internship place and school. Your internship agreement states how many hours of internship are compulsory and how many free days belong to this.

Forbidden work for young people under 18

Young people under 18 have limits on certain work. They cannot work with some dangerous substances or in noisy places. The government has a list of these. Here you can read what your child should know when choosing an internship.

The employer and parent are both responsible for following these rules. The Dutch labor inspection can give a fine to the employer or the parents if the rules are not followed.