Family · Practical

What to do when schools close for reasons you cannot control

By Leonard Chioveanu · Updated 26 October 2026 · 8 min read

A teachers’ strike, a red weather warning, a protest blockade or a burst pipe can close your child’s school with a day’s notice or less. As an expat you often have no grandparents nearby to step in. This guide explains what the law gives you, what to agree with your employer, and how to build a backup plan before you need it.

Why schools close at short notice

Strikes by teachers or school staff. They are usually announced a few days ahead, as in France, Italy and Belgium.
Weather: storms, snow, floods or extreme heat. In Italy mayors often close schools on a red weather alert, sometimes the evening before.
Protests and security: in autumn 2026 some secondary schools in France were blocked by students, and city-centre schools have closed on big protest days.
The building: heating failures, water leaks, power cuts or safety checks.
Illness: outbreaks of flu or other infections, or too few staff to open.

Your right to time off, country by country

In most countries a school closure on its own is not a legal reason for paid leave. Emergency leave rules usually cover a sudden breakdown of childcare or a child’s illness. Here is what applies:

Country	What the law offers	Does a school closure count?
Netherlands	Emergency leave (calamiteitenverlof): fully paid, usually a few hours up to one working day, for sudden problems such as childcare falling through.	A sudden, unexpected closure often does; a strike announced in advance usually does not. Your collective agreement may give more.
United Kingdom	Time off for dependants: a “reasonable” amount of time when childcare is unexpectedly disrupted. Unpaid unless your contract says otherwise.	Same-day weather closures usually count; strikes announced in advance often do not.
Germany	Short paid absence for personal reasons (§ 616 BGB) unless your contract excludes it. Sick-child days: 15 per child per parent in 2026 (30 for single parents), falling to 10 (20) from 2027 unless extended.	Sick-child days are for illness only. For closures, § 616 may cover a short absence; otherwise use holiday or remote work.
Spain	Paid leave for force majeure: up to 4 days a year for urgent family reasons.	Only when a family member is ill or has an accident, not for closures.
France	No specific leave. When at least a quarter of teachers in a primary school strike, the town must organise a minimum childcare service.	Use the minimum service, holiday, or remote work by agreement.
Belgium	Leave for compelling reasons: up to 10 days a year, unpaid, for unforeseen events that need you urgently.	Possibly for a sudden closure; ask your employer.
Ireland	Force majeure leave: paid, up to 3 days in 12 months, when a family member is injured or ill. Parental leave: up to 26 weeks, unpaid, with notice.	Not for closures on their own.
Italy	Parental leave, partly paid, can be taken by the day or the hour with notice.	Can cover planned strike days if you give notice in time.

Collective agreements and contracts often give more than the legal minimum. EU law also gives every worker a right to some time off for urgent family reasons and five days a year of carers’ leave, though countries decide whether these are paid.

Before it happens: build your backup plan

Agree on rules with your employer now. Ask whether you can work from home, shift your hours or take short-notice holiday on closure days. Get it in writing if you can.
Make a parent swap. Agree with two or three families from your child’s class to take turns hosting the children on closure days. The class chat group is often the fastest way.
Register with a backup childcare service. Babysitting platforms, au pair agencies and some employers’ emergency childcare schemes can send someone the same day. Do the paperwork and checks in advance.
Know the school’s channels. Make sure the school has your mobile number and email, and install its app. In France and Italy, strike notices arrive a few days ahead.
Check your city’s offers. Many towns run holiday clubs, sports centres or libraries with activities that can take children on closure days.
Prepare older children. Teenagers may be able to stay home alone; agree on rules, keys and who to call.

On the day

Check whether the school offers a minimum service or supervision for some pupils.
Split the day with your partner: one works early, one late.
Tell your employer early, and say which option you are using: remote work, holiday, emergency leave or unpaid time.
Keep a record of the closure notice, in case you need it for leave or a refund from a paid after-school club.

What you can claim back

Germany: 80% of childcare costs for children under 14, up to €4,800 per child a year, is deductible as a special expense.
France: a 50% tax credit for paying a childminder or nanny at home, and for daycare costs of children under 6.
United Kingdom: Tax-Free Childcare adds £2 for every £8 you pay a registered provider, up to £2,000 per child a year.
Netherlands: the childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag) covers registered childcare only, so ad-hoc babysitters do not count.
Belgium: a tax reduction for registered childcare for children under 14.

Emergency babysitting is expensive. Our budget calculator helps you set aside a buffer for it.

If closures keep happening

Long strikes or repeated closures can put your job under pressure. Talk to your employer early, keep a written record, and ask your union or works council for advice. If you work for a company with an international workforce, ask HR whether an emergency childcare benefit exists; many large employers offer one.

Plan a childcare buffer in your budget →

Sources

This guide is general information based on the tax rules we could verify for 2026, not tax or financial advice. Rules change and personal situations differ, so check with the tax authority or a qualified adviser before you act. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected].