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Applying to the Dutch Violent Offences Compensation Fund

The Dutch Violent Offences Compensation Fund can provide a financial contribution to eligible victims. It is not automatic reimbursement of all damage and has its own conditions and assessment.

Duration: 1:40

Further reading and sources

This video summarises the main points. The full article provides more detail, exceptions and official sources. This information does not replace advice about your case.

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Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

The Dutch Violent Offences Compensation Fund can provide a financial contribution to eligible victims. It is not automatic reimbursement of all damage and has its own conditions and assessment.

Read the current conditions for the type of application. The fund considers the relevant offence and injury requirements. A criminal conviction is not always required, but eligibility still needs supporting information.

Keep available reports, decisions and relevant medical information. Ask which documents are needed rather than sending an unnecessary full private archive. Distinguish confirmed information from assumptions.

Ask which filing period applies and whether waiting for the criminal case could create a problem. The fund's procedure is separate from a compensation claim before the criminal court.

Record insurance payments, compensation decisions and other relevant payments. Tell the fund what is required about them. Do not assume different routes can pay the same loss without adjustment.

Save the application and receipt. Respond to requests for information and read the decision carefully. Ask for help with an unclear refusal or further procedure rather than assuming the result of the criminal case settles it.

Read the full explanation on the Criminal Law in the Netherlands website.

Understand the supporting sources

Sources and supporting information

Here you can find the sources for this page. Open the original publication for the full explanation, conditions and exceptions.

  1. Violent Crime Compensation Fund: Policy Bundle January 1, 2026Opens in a new tabschadefonds.nlhttps://schadefonds.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Beleidsbundel-Schadefonds-Geweldsmisdrijven-1-januari-2026-1.pdf
  2. Violent Crime Compensation Fund: current questions and conditions for victimsOpens in a new tabschadefonds.nlhttps://schadefonds.nl/slachtoffer/veelgestelde-vragen-en-voorwaarden/
  3. Violent Crime Compensation Fund: submission deadline for compensationOpens in a new tabschadefonds.nlhttps://schadefonds.nl/veelgestelde-vragen/tot-wanneer-kan-ik-een-tegemoetkoming-aanvragen/
  4. Violent Crime Compensation Fund: what is assessed as serious injuryOpens in a new tabschadefonds.nlhttps://www.schadefonds.nl/veelgestelde-vragen/wat-vindt-het-schadefonds-ernstig-letsel/
  5. National government: compensation for victims and compensation from the Compensation FundOpens in a new tabrijksoverheid.nlhttps://www.rijksoverheid.nl/themas/recht-veiligheid-en-defensie/straffen-en-maatregelen/straffen-en-maatregelen-voor-volwassenen/vraag-en-antwoord/slachtofferbeleid/schadevergoeding-slachtoffer
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