General information about compensation for asbestos victims in the Netherlands

This page gives you brief information in English about the Dutch Institute for Asbestos Victims (IAS) and the government compensation schemes for asbestos victims. If you want to know more, call 079 750 7150.

NB: This is the only information in English. All our other written information is in Dutch, including letters and leaflets.

Who is the IAS for?
Anyone who is suffering from mesothelioma or asbestosis as a result of exposure to asbestos in the Netherlands can claim financial compensation from the government. In some cases, the employer or former employer will pay damages. You can arrange for this by applying to the IAS.

IAS provides services to asbestos victims free of charge if they cooperate with the entire procedure. Employers or their insurers can rely on the IAS for a quick and careful consideration of claims for damages by asbestos victims. The IAS’ standardised working methods and the fixed compensation amounts prevent unnecessary time-consuming and expensive legal procedures.

Compensation amount
People who are suffering from mesothelioma or asbestosis can apply to the IAS for compensation of
€ 24,010. This is the amount applicable for 2024. The compensation amount is indexed annually. Together with the claimant, the IAS will look at how the exposure to asbestos took place. The IAS will subsequently advise the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) about the entitlement to compensation. The SVB will decide whether or not to award the compensation.

Damages
The IAS also mediates between current and former employers and employees about the payment of damages. It does so on the basis of the agreements made with the Asbestos Victims Committee, employers’ organisations and unions, the Dutch Association of Insurers and the government.

If responsibility is accepted, the employer or former employer pays the following:

In the case of mesothelioma:
– Compensation: € 24,010
– Damages: standard amount of € 79,102
These are the amounts applicable for 2024.

In the case of asbestosis:
– Compensation: € 24,010
– Damages: standard amounts of € 27,971, € 51,556 or € 75,141, depending on the degree of pulmonary function loss.

How the IAS operates

Important information
Asbestos victims are advised to contact the Institute for Asbestos Victims as soon as possible in order to safeguard their rights. The application must be submitted personally by the claimant during his or her life.

The claims procedure is explained below.

Submitting a claim
– The claimant reports to the IAS by filling in the online form at www.ias.nl or by telephoning the IAS (079 750 7150). An IAS officer will telephone the claimant to help him or her fill in the claim forms.

– In a second interview, the IAS and the claimant will look at how the exposure to asbestos took place. This second interview may take place at the claimant’s home or by telephone. The IAS will send the claimant a report of the interview shortly after.

– The claimant checks and signs the report and returns it to the IAS. He or she also authorises the IAS to request medical information, and the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) to recover damages in court, if necessary.

Compensation amount
– The IAS will ask the Dutch Mesothelioma Panel (NMP) or the expert group of the Dutch lung specialist association NVALT to confirm the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma or asbestosis.
– The IAS will subsequently advise the SVB whether or not to award the compensation. If the SVB’s decision is positive, the claimant will receive € 24,010 (amount applicable for 2024). The IAS and the SVB aim to complete the procedure within 2 months.

Damages
– If the claimant was exposed to asbestos when working for an employer, the claimant will send the employer a notice of liability by registered post.

– The IAS will collect information in order to be able to mediate between the claimant and his or her employer or former employer on damages.

About the IAS
The Dutch Institute for Asbestos Victims (IAS) advises the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) on entitlement to compensation for asbestos victims suffering from mesothelioma, asbestosis or chronic solvent‑induced encephalopathy (CSE, also known as ‘painters’ disease’ – see https://ops-loket.nl). The IAS also mediates between current and former employers and employees about the payment of compensation. Other duties include providing information and sharing knowledge about asbestos and health risks. The IAS was founded in 1999 by employers’ organisations and unions, the Asbestos Victims Committee, the Dutch Association of Insurers and the government.