Dutch towns launch free summer passes for children and residents

The municipality of Amersfoort is distributing a free ZomerPretPas to all primary‑school children aged 2 to 14 during the week of 6‑10 July. The booklet lists about 160 summer activities – sport, creative, music, reading and nature programmes – that participants can join at reduced cost or for free. This is the programme’s tenth edition, and children can collect a small gift at designated locations from 18 July.

In the neighbouring municipality of Amstelveen, holders of an Amstelveenpas can swim for free each day at the De Meerkamp pool throughout the summer holiday, from now until 16 August 2026. The offer applies to all ages and requires the pass to be scanned together with a valid ID. The scheme is aimed at residents with low incomes and is part of a broader set of cultural and social benefits linked to the Amstelveenpas.