1980–81 Eerste Divisie

The Dutch Eerste Divisie in the 1980–81 season was contested by 19 teams. HFC Haarlem won the championship.

New entrants
Relegated from the 1979–80 Eredivisie
 * HFC Haarlem
 * Vitesse Arnhem

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.