A Dictionary of Dutchness

Luxeverzuim

Literally ‘luxury absenteeism’, luxeverzuim is the name the papers have coined for taking children out of school outside the official school vacation to take advantage of cheaper flights and holidays. Every year thousands of parents get an official warning for starting their holidays too early and the fines can run into thousands of euros. Truancy inspectors have now taken to hanging around airports at holiday time looking for children they think should be at school.