1977–78 Eerste Divisie

The Dutch Eerste Divisie in the 1977–78 season was contested by 19 teams. PEC Zwolle won the championship.

New entrants
Relegated from the 1976–77 Eredivisie
 * FC Eindhoven
 * De Graafschap

Promotion competition
In the promotion competition, four period winners (the best teams during each of the four quarters of the regular competition) played for promotion to the Eredivisie.