Blog

In this knowledge base our lawyers explain how Dutch law works in practice: when you are entitled to compensation, which time limits apply, and what an insurer, employer or landlord may and may not ask of you. Each article answers one concrete question and names the statutory provisions it rests on, so you can check the basis for yourself.

Use the filters to read by area of law: personal injury, employment law, tenancy law, insurance law, business law, family law, criminal law and administrative law. If your own situation is not covered, or you want to know what an article means for your case, contact us for an initial assessment.

Illustratie bij de doorlooptijd van een letselschadezaak
Personal injury

Why does a personal injury case take a long time and what can you do?

A personal injury case often takes a long time because liability, medical recovery, causal link and future damages are not yet established. You can limit delays with file planning, periodic damage overviews, targeted medical questions, timely advances and written decision deadlines. What is a long-running personal injury case? A long-running case is a file in which recovery, evidence or negotiations do not yet allow a responsible final settlement. A […]

Read
Illustratie bij afgewezen aansprakelijkheid en letselschade
Personal injury

What can you do if the insurer rejects liability?

When an insurer rejects liability, it can have major consequences for the settlement of personal injury. Always ask for a full written justification. This clarifies which factual or legal point is being disputed. Gather targeted additional evidence and monitor relevant deadlines. What does a rejection entail? A rejection means that the addressed party or insurer […]

Read
Illustratie bij psychisch letsel na een ongeval
Personal injury

Psychological injury after an accident: what about your compensation?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other psychological complaints can deeply impact daily life, work, and social relationships. When these complaints are the result of an accident for which another party is liable, they can be a form of personal injury. A visible physical abnormality is not required for this. What is psychological personal injury? Psychological personal injury concerns mental […]

Read
Illustratie bij studievertraging door letsel
Personal injury

What compensation do you get for study delay due to injury?

When an accident, medical incident, or crime leads to a study delay, it can have direct consequences for the future of a pupil or student. In addition to the personal impact, material damage arises because entry into the labor market is postponed. For delays of up to one year, the Study Delay Guideline 2026 offers a framework with net standard amounts. What […]

Read
Illustratie bij verlies van zelfwerkzaamheid na letsel
Personal injury

What compensation do you receive for loss of ability to perform household tasks?

When you sustain injuries in an accident, you may become limited in tasks around your home. Are you less able to do DIY, paint or garden because of your injury? Then you may be eligible for compensation for loss of self-reliance in household tasks. What is loss of self-reliance in household tasks? Self-reliance is the ability to carry out repairs yourself in the private sphere, […]

Read
Illustratie bij inkomensschade van een ondernemer of zzp’er
Personal injury

How can an entrepreneur or self-employed person claim loss of income after an injury?

An entrepreneur or self-employed person may, after an injury, miss the profit that would likely have been achieved without the accident. Loss of turnover is only an indicator: saved costs, replacement costs, seasonality, growth and residual capacity all count. A persuasive claim links medical limitations to business data and a realistic scenario without the accident. What does loss of income for business owners entail? Business-owner loss […]

Read
Illustratie bij verlies van arbeidsvermogen na letsel
Personal injury

How is loss of income calculated after an accident?

Loss of income after an accident is calculated by comparing your actual financial situation with the probable situation without an accident. The difference between these two scenarios is legally referred to as loss of earning capacity. This complex calculation considers not only current wages but also allowances, career opportunities, pension accrual, social benefits, and remaining earning potential. […]

Read
Illustratie bij letselschade voor een voetganger
Personal injury

What are your rights as a pedestrian after a collision?

A pedestrian who is struck by a car, motorcycle or other motor vehicle occupies a strongly protected legal position. Under Article 185 of the Wegenverkeerswet (WVW; Dutch Road Traffic Act), the vulnerability of non-motorized road users is recognized. For pedestrians aged fourteen and over, this generally means that in cases of contributory fault at least 50% of the personal-injury damages is compensated, […]

Read
Illustratie bij letselschade voor een aangereden kind
Personal injury

When does a child hit by a car receive 100% compensation?

When a child under the age of fourteen sustains an injury as a cyclist or pedestrian in a collision with a motor vehicle, special protection applies. In principle, the child’s damage is fully compensated. This protection can also apply if the child themselves made a traffic error. The legal basis lies in Article 185 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 (Wegenverkeerswet 1994) […]

Read
Twee routes na de WIA-beoordeling: IVA bij duurzame arbeidsongeschiktheid en WGA bij kans op herstel
Administrative law

Difference between IVA and WGA: which WIA benefit do you receive?

Are you facing long-term incapacity for work and wondering if you are entitled to an IVA or WGA benefit? The difference between these WIA benefits not only affects your financial security but also your chances of reintegration. In this article, you will discover which benefit suits your situation an

Read
Administrative law

WW Benefit Refused by UWV: What Can You Do?

Your WW benefit has been denied by the UWV and you are unsure about your rights or the steps you can take? This can be a difficult and uncertain situation, but you are not alone. In this article, we explain how you can file an objection and what options are available to still receive your benefit.

Read
Man and woman in suits shaking hands in front of an office building and contract documents

Conflicts between management and shareholders in a BV

Conflicts between the BV’s management and shareholders call for clear agreements and timely legal action. A conflict between management and

Twee aandeelhouders bespreken hun conflict en mogelijke afspraken met een adviseur.

Shareholder dispute: what can you do when shareholders clash?

A shareholder dispute often arises gradually, but can have significant consequences for the company. When shareholders disagree about the direction

Man and woman in suits shaking hands in front of an office building and contract documents

Conflict with a business partner: what can you do when the collaboration breaks down?

A conflict with a business partner can have major consequences for your business. When the collaboration stalls, decisions are no

Man and woman in suits shaking hands in front of an office building and contract documents

Debt collection in bankruptcy: when does it still make sense for entrepreneurs?

Debt collection in bankruptcy often immediately raises questions among entrepreneurs. When a debtor goes bankrupt, collecting outstanding invoices seems hopeless.

Man and woman in suits shaking hands in front of an office building and contract documents

Directors’ liability in bankruptcy: when is a director personally liable?

Directors' liability in bankruptcy is an important topic for entrepreneurs, creditors, and investors. When a company goes bankrupt, the question

Man and woman in suits shaking hands in front of an office building and contract documents

Bankruptcy of a Contracting Party: What Are Your Rights as an Entrepreneur?

The bankruptcy of a contracting party can have major consequences for entrepreneurs. When a customer, supplier, or business partner goes

Man and woman in suits shaking hands in front of an office building and contract documents

International trade disputes: legal solutions for entrepreneurs

Internationale handelsgeschillen are becoming more common as businesses trade across borders. Supplying foreign customers, international contracts and working with foreign

Man and woman in suits shaking hands in front of an office building and contract documents

Litigating Against a Contracting Party: Step-by-Step Guide and Legal Options

Litigating against a contracting party is often a significant step for businesses but sometimes necessary. When a contracting party fails

Man and woman in suits shaking hands in front of an office building and contract documents

International debt collection in the Netherlands

International debt collection in the Netherlands is a common issue for foreign suppliers whohave supplied goods or services to Dutch

Man and woman in suits shaking hands in front of an office building and contract documents

Shareholder dispute: legal solutions and step-by-step plan

A shareholder dispute can have major consequences for the continuity of a business.When shareholders fundamentally disagree about the direction of

Man and woman in suits shaking hands in front of an office building and contract documents

Business debt collection for non-payment: a practical step-by-step plan for entrepreneurs

Commercial debt collection for non-payment is a common problem for entrepreneurs and foreign companies.When a business customer does not pay

Community service not performed: preventing conversion into imprisonment

Have you been unable to complete your community service and are you concerned this may result in a prison sentence?

Illustration of a woman in a wheelchair with a cast on her leg, surrounded by medical, legal, and financial icons.

Pain and Suffering Compensation in the Netherlands

Pain and suffering compensation, known as smartengeld, compensates non-financial harm such as pain, loss of enjoyment of life and disfigurement.

Two professionals shaking hands across a desk with a document, pen, and a scale of justice

Dismissal for poor performance: rules, improvement plan and your rights

An employer may try to dismiss an employee for underperformance. This means that the employee is not properly performing their

Illustration of a lawyer standing with crossed arms in front of the scales of justice, law books, and a gavel.

What does litigating cost? Explanation of court fees and litigation costs

Many people who receive a summons or petition wonder: “What does a lawsuit actually cost?” In addition to the costs

Sad employee holding document with cross and lawyer holding document with checkmark under scales of justice

Presumption of employment scope: clarity for on-call workers and employees with a 0-hour contract

Many on-call workers, especially in the hospitality industry, work structurally more hours than stated in their employment contract. This can

Man bekijkt met een vergrootglas zijn kredietregistratie naast een laptop en een ordner

BKR credit registration: how to check it, and when it can be removed

Written by Onur Arslan, attorney at Arslan Advocaten. Registered in the legal practice areas register of the Netherlands Bar for

Man and woman in suits sitting at a desk with a document and pen, a handshake icon above them.

Dismissal during illness: rules, exceptions, and your rights

Everyone can get sick. Fortunately, the law offers employees in such a situation strong protection. In most cases, an employer

Illustration of a man in a suit holding a contract and magnifying glass, next to a house and a large key.

How much security deposit can a landlord ask for?

For general information, see Government of the Netherlands information on rented housing. When you rent a property, the landlord often

Juvenile Criminal Law: Rights of Minor Suspects and Their Parents

Your child is suspected of a juvenile offense, and you are wondering what rights he or she still has during

Illustration of a man in a suit standing by a car with damage, surrounded by a traffic light, shield, and a clipboard

Compensation for a hit-and-run after an accident or an uninsured driver

Have you been involved in a traffic accident and has the other driver driven off after the accident or does

Twee automobilisten vullen samen het schadeformulier in tussen hun beschadigde auto’s

Explanation and tips for completing the damage claim form after a collision

When completing the damage claim form (schadeformulier) after a collision, fill in the facts accurately and sign it; the form

Sick employee on sofa with thermometer, calendar with crossed-out days, and man in suit holding a legal document.

Dismissal for economic reasons through UWV: rules and your rights

An employer cannot just fire you. For economic reasons (such as declining sales, cost savings or relocation), the employer must

Illustration of a man in a suit holding a contract and magnifying glass, next to a house and a large key.

Deposit for temporary rental: short stay, AirBnB and temporary contracts

With temporary letting, the label ‘short stay’, ‘Airbnb’ or ‘temporary contract’ is not enough to determine the deposit rules. First