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When can you receive subsidised legal aid?

Legal aid conditions in the Netherlands depend on your situation. Start by checking which funding arrangement applies to your case.

Duration: 1:14

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

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Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

Legal aid conditions in the Netherlands depend on your situation. Start by checking which funding arrangement applies to your case.

For an ordinary application, the Legal Aid Board assesses both your need for legal assistance and your financial situation, rather than income alone.

Income, assets and household circumstances may matter. Tax information usually comes from an earlier reference year; ask which year applies.

Exceptions apply to some forms of appointed legal assistance. Ask your lawyer to explain which arrangement and financial conditions apply to your case.

If your income has fallen, discuss using a different reference year. This has conditions and an application deadline, so check promptly.

Agree who will apply and which costs you may still owe. Keep the decision and check that your details are correct.

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. Legal Aid Board: conditionsOpens in a new tabrechtsbijstand.nlhttps://www.rechtsbijstand.nl/mediation-rechtsbijstand/voorwaarden/
  2. Legal Aid Board: personal contribution and standards 2026Opens in a new tabrechtsbijstand.nlhttps://www.rechtsbijstand.nl/mediation-rechtsbijstand/hoeveel-betalen/eigen-bijdrage/
  3. Legal Aid Council: situations without a personal contributionOpens in a new tabrechtsbijstand.nlhttps://www.rechtsbijstand.nl/mediation-rechtsbijstand/hoeveel-betalen/geen-eigen-bijdrage/
  4. Legal Aid Board: reference year change in 2026Opens in a new tabrechtsbijstand.nlhttps://www.rechtsbijstand.nl/mediation-rechtsbijstand/hoeveel-betalen/peiljaarverlegging/toelichting-verzoek-peiljaarverlegging/
  5. Legal Aid Board: other costs and recovery of costsOpens in a new tabrechtsbijstand.nlhttps://www.rechtsbijstand.nl/mediation-rechtsbijstand/hoeveel-betalen/kosten/
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