Can I obtain compensation after acquittal?
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
After pre-trial detention and acquittal you can ask the criminal court for compensation. Generally file within three months after the case ends. Payment is not automatic: prove your loss and establish the correct end date.
On this page
1. Eligible detention
This route concerns pre-trial detention, clinical observation or foreign detention on a Dutch extradition request. Initial police holding for questioning alone is excluded. Compensation may sometimes follow without acquittal, for example no punishment/measure or conviction for an offence not permitting pre-trial detention. Surviving relatives should separately check standing.
2. Case end and deadline
Generally file within three months after the case ends. The first judgment date is not necessarily the end where appeal remains possible or pending. Promptly ask your lawyer or court about the relevant date; do not let the deadline pass while waiting for missing proof.
3. Amounts and evidence
List detention days, type of custody and each claimed amount. Attach evidence of lost earnings and necessary expenses. Use current LOVS guidance for standard amounts; indexed amounts apply to requests filed from 1 January 2026. These are guidance, not guarantees: circumstances can justify partial or complete refusal.
4. Form and competent court
The court that last handled or would have handled the criminal case considers the request. The official Rechtspraak PDF is only for standard compensation. For other loss write your own petition with name/address, detention/observation, amount, explanation, proof, date and signature. Add case number and final decision to identify the case.
5. Sign, file and prepare hearing
Follow the published instructions: personally sign and send through Secure Email or post to the criminal section; help preparing is not filing. Keep receipt evidence. No court fee or mandatory lawyer. Your lawyer may charge; you can request reimbursement at the same time. You are summoned to a public hearing but attendance is optional; you or your lawyer may explain.
6. Decision, payment and appeal
The judge may allow, reduce or refuse and sometimes offset against a government debt or prison sentence still to serve. The registry pays after the decision becomes final. Generally appeal a district court decision within one month; the prosecution has fourteen days. No further appeal or cassation lies against the court of appeal decision. Check exact commencement and filing method immediately.
Draft individual compensation request — check first
For loss outside or alongside the standard form. Complete end date, court and amounts and obtain advice where uncertain. No automatic filing or deadline monitoring.
Edit your draftWord
Your edits stay on this page and are not automatically saved or sent. Complete every placeholder.
Is compensation automatic after acquittal?
No. File a timely supported request. The judge assesses circumstances and is not bound by LOVS amounts. Initial detention for questioning alone is not compensated through this route.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Final decision and case number
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Final decision and case number
- Case end and three-month limit
- Detention days and custody type
- Loss amounts and evidence
- Correct court, own signature, receipt
- Hearing, lawyer costs and appeal limit
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Rechtspraak · Schadevergoeding na vrijspraak ↗Rechtspraak · Veelgestelde vragen ↗Rechtspraak · Kosten ↗Rechtspraak · Actuele LOVS-afspraken ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.