Compensation to crime victims

National information and online forms concerning Directive 2004/80/EC

General information

Council Directive 2004/80/EC of 29 April 2004 relating to compensation to crime victims

The directive applies between all Member States of the European Union.

The directive requires that each EU Member State sets up a national scheme of compensation to all victims of violent, intentional crime. According to this law all victims of violent, intentional crime have access to the national compensation scheme in the Member State on whose territory the crime was committed.

To help victims of violent, intentional crime have access to compensation in cross border cases, the directive sets up a system of cooperation between national authorities:

  • Persons who fall victim to crime while being abroad (in an EU Member State in which they do not live) can submit the application to the assisting authority in the State which they live (Please select "Assisting authorities" in the search tool below).
  • The assisting authority translates and transmits the application to the deciding authority in the Member State where the crime was committed (Please select "Deciding authorities" in the search tool below). The deciding authority is responsible for assessing the application and paying the compensation.

The assisting and deciding authorities communicate among each other in the languages they have accepted. To find information about the accepted language(s) you should look at the Member State of the authority to which the information relevant to the case (e.g. application, decision or other communication) is sent.

Please select the relevant country's flag to obtain detailed national information.

The assisting and deciding authorities are helped by the national Central Contact Points (Please select "Central contact point" in the search tool below) whose role it is to promote cooperation between the authorities, give assistance and seek solutions in cross border situations.

The European e-Justice Portal provides you with information concerning the application of the directive and a user-friendly tool for filling in the forms.

Related links

Compensation to crime victims in the European Union

ARCHIVED European Judicial ATLAS website (closed on 30 September 2017)

Last update: 16/01/2023

This page is maintained by the European Commission. The information on this page does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission. The Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice with regard to copyright rules for European pages.

Compensation to crime victims - Czechia

Languages for the transmission of applications

Applications must be made in Czech.

Application forms for compensation

Applications may be made using the form that can be found on the Link opens in new windowwebsite of the Czech Ministry of Justice. However, use of the form is not compulsory and the application procedure can be started on the basis of any submission which clearly seeks the grant of monetary assistance for a victim of crime.

Last update: 11/12/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Denmark

Languages for the transmission of applications

The Criminal Injury Compensation Board (‘Erstatningsnævnet’) accepts Danish or English for applications to Denmark.

Denmark has concluded a Language Convention with the other Nordic countries, i.e. Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, under which citizens of these countries may use their own language in another Nordic country. The languages included in the Convention are Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish.

Application forms for compensation

Various forms, including an application form, in both Danish and English, can be found on the Board’s website, http://www.erstatningsnaevnet.dk/, under the tab ‘Self-service’ (‘selvbetjening’).

Last update: 03/08/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Germany

Languages for the transmission of applications

The compensation claim and any relevant supporting documents may be sent in all the official languages of the EU. Authorities may also exchange information (Articles 7 to 10) in all the official languages of the EU.

Application forms for compensation

Compensation claim form for crime victimsPDF(387 Kb)de

Compensation claim form for crime victimsPDF(391 Kb)en

Information on compensation claim form for crime victimsPDF(137 Kb)de

Information on compensation claim form for crime victimsPDF(155 Kb)en

Last update: 22/06/2020

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Estonia

Languages for the transmission of applications

Estonian

Application forms for compensation

The form for applying for compensation is available on the website of the Social Insurance Board

Last update: 15/08/2019

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Ireland

Languages for the transmission of applications

English and Irish

Application forms for compensation

This link below will bring you to the new dedicated webpage of the Department of Justice which concerns the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

Link opens in new windowhttps://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0bff8-criminal-injuries-compensation-scheme/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/criminalinjuries/

Last update: 18/05/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Greece

Languages for the transmission of applications

The official language for the submission of the application and the exchange of information, data and supporting documents is Greek.

Application forms for compensation

Link opens in new windowApplication form for compensation to victims

Last update: 30/05/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Spain

Languages for the transmission of applications

Spanish.

Application forms for compensation

FormPDF(75 Kb)es for sending a compensation claim in cross-border situations

FormPDF(53 Kb)es for sending decisions regarding a compensation claim in cross-border situations

Last update: 01/08/2022

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Croatia

Languages for the transmission of applications

Applications and requests will be accepted in Croatian.

Application forms for compensation

Compensation request forms are available on the website of the Ministry of Justice, in both Croatian and English.

Link:

Link opens in new windowhttps://mpu.gov.hr/dokumenti/10?page=1&tag=-1&tip2=&Datumod=&Datumdo=&pojam=compensation

Link opens in new windowhttps://mpu.gov.hr/UserDocsImages//dokumenti/%C5%BDrtve%20i%20svjedoci//Obrazac%20zahtjeva%20za%20novcanu%20naknadu%20zrtvama%20kaznenih%20djela.pdf

Last update: 26/03/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Cyprus

Languages for the transmission of applications

Greek and English

Application forms for compensation

Application forms and information on compensation are available, in Greek and English, at the offices of the department of Social Insurance Services or on its website: http://www.mlsi.gov.cy/sid.

You can either deliver your application form in person or send it by post to the following address: Social Insurance Services (Ypiresíes Koinonikón Asfalíseon) Leoforos Lordou Vyronos 7, 1465 Nicosia, Cyprus.

Last update: 23/01/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Lithuania

Languages for the transmission of applications

The languages of communication are Lithuanian and English.

Application forms for compensation

The application forms for compensation must be in Lithuanian.

Last update: 07/04/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Luxembourg

Languages for the transmission of applications

In accordance with Article 11(1), Luxembourg accepts the following languages:

  • Luxembourgish,
  • French and
  • German.

Application forms for compensation

In Luxembourg, people seeking compensation are not required to complete a specific form.

Victims of a crime simply need to send a letter giving the date, place and details of the crime.

They should enclose copies of any documents in support of their compensation claim (copy of the police report, any court decisions that may have been handed down, supporting documents proving their total incapacity for work, permanent disability, increase in outgoings or reduction in income, and documents describing their disability, to ensure that they receive effective and adequate compensation from the offender).

Last update: 06/05/2022

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Malta

Languages for the transmission of applications

The languages in which applications are accepted are Maltese and English.

Application forms for compensation

The application form for compensation can be found at this link: https://eforms.gov.mt/pdfforms.aspx?fid=pjd010e

Last update: 25/03/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Netherlands

Languages for the transmission of applications

Applications can be submitted in any language.

Application forms for compensation

Link opens in new windowDutch-language application form for victims

Link opens in new windowDutch-language application form for surviving relatives

Link opens in new windowEnglish-language application form for victims

Link opens in new windowEnglish-language application form for surviving relatives

Last update: 06/02/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Austria

Languages for the transmission of applications

Under Articles 11(1)(a) and (b) of Council Directive 2004/80/EC of 29 April 2004 relating to compensation to crime victims, claims may be sent in German and English.

Application forms for compensation

Form for request for support under the Austrian Victims of Crime Act (Verbrechensopfergesetz, VOG)PDF(52 Kb)de

Last update: 11/12/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Portugal

Languages for the transmission of applications

Portuguese and English.

Application forms for compensation

The forms were approved by Order No 403/2012 of 7 December 2012.

The forms are available Link opens in new windowin electronic format on the website of the Commission for the Protection of Victims of Crimes (Comissão de Proteção às Vítimas de Crimes).

Last update: 10/05/2021

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Slovenia

Languages for the transmission of applications

Compensation claims must be submitted in Slovenian.

Application forms for compensation

Compensation claims must be submitted on a prescribed form accompanied by a declaration. The form is available on the website of the Ministry of Justice. The forms for members of the Italian and Hungarian national minorities are available as unofficial Italian and Hungarian translations.

Link opens in new windowhttp://www.mp.gov.si/si/delovna_podrocja/direktorat_za_kaznovalno_pravo_in_clovekove_pravice/sektor_za_popravo_krivic_in_podporo_zrtvam_kaznivih_dejanj/odskodnine_zrtvam_kaznivih_dejanj/

The form is also available in English (see below), but only for information purposes; a compensation claim must be submitted in Slovenian.

Link opens in new windowhttp://www.mp.gov.si/en/areas_of_work/legislation_on_the_justice_system/sektor_za_popravo_krivic_in_podporo_zrtvam_kaznivih_dejanj/crime_victims_compensation_national_cross_boarder_situations/

Last update: 20/12/2018

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Slovakia

Languages for the transmission of applications

Section 20(1) of Act No 274/2017 on victims of crime and amending certain acts states that ‘the documents and information referred to in Sections 18 and 19 shall be transmitted in the official language, or in one of the official languages, of the Member State whose authority is being addressed, or in another language whose use has been approved by that Member State, with the exception of the following:

(a) decisions taken by the decision-making body, which shall be drawn up in the language determined by its legal order;

(b) statements made by victims of a violent crime or by other persons referred to in Section 18(6)(b) and Section 19(4)(b), which shall be drawn up in the language of the Member State, as determined by its assisting authority.’

Section 20(2) of Act No 274/2017 states that ‘subject to the conditions referred to in paragraph 1, documents and information addressed to the Slovak authorities shall be transmitted in Slovak and English.

Application forms for compensation

Further information, including the Link opens in new windowcompensation claim form), can be found on the website of the Link opens in new windowMinistry of Justice of the Slovak Republic.

Last update: 01/06/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Finland

Languages for the transmission of applications

Finnish, Swedish and English.

Application forms for compensation

Claim form:

Claim form (in Finnish)PDF(315 Kb)fi

Claim form (in Swedish)PDF(377 Kb)fi

Claim form (in English)PDF(299 Kb)fi

Compile and submit dossier and claim form:

You can submit your claim electronically by using the secure message service Link opens in new windowhttps://turvaviesti.valtiokonttori.fi/ or by post to: Valtiokonttori, PL 550, 00054 Valtiokonttori

You can also apply for compensation through our online customer service. We use the Suomi.fi web service, which is a common identification service for public authorities. You can use your Finnish bank codes, mobile certificate or certificate card for identification.

Link opens in new windowhttps://asiointipalvelu.valtiokonttori.fi/etusivu/.

Last update: 21/02/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Sweden

Languages for the transmission of applications

Swedish or English.

Application forms for compensation

Forms in Swedish:

Link opens in new windowAnsökan om brottsskadeersättning [application for compensation for criminal injuries] (requires identification using the Swedish Mobile BankID)

Link opens in new windowAnsökan om brottsskadeersättning för personskada och kränkning [application for criminal injuries compensation for personal injury and violation of personal integrity] (pdf)

Link opens in new windowAnsökan om brottsskadeersättning till ett barn som har bevittnat brott (brottsoffermyndigheten.se) [application for criminal injuries compensation for a child who has witnessed a crime] (the Swedish Crime Victim Authority (brottsoffermyndigheten.se), pdf)

Link opens in new windowAnsökan om brottsskadeersättning för sak- eller ren förmögenhetsskada [application for criminal injuries compensation for material or purely financial damage] (pdf)

Form in English:

Link opens in new windowApplication for criminal injuries compensation for personal injury and violation of personal integrity (pdf)

Last update: 24/01/2022

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Compensation to crime victims - Northern Ireland

Languages for the transmission of applications

English Language

Application forms for compensation

Link to:

Link opens in new windowCriminal Damage Compensation Form Notice of Intent

Link opens in new windowCriminal Injury Compensation 2009 Scheme

Link opens in new windowhttp://www.justice-ni.gov.uk

Last update: 14/12/2018

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.