Cancel Your Trip in Netherlands — Your Rights as Expat

You've booked a trip, but due to circumstances you can no longer go and want to cancel your travel. Perhaps you've fallen ill, your employer has withdrawn your holiday, or there are other urgent reasons. It's understandable that you want your money back. Fortunately, as a consumer in the Netherlands, you have certain rights under Dutch law, even when you cancel your trip yourself.

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What's the situation?

When you as a traveller decide to cancel your trip yourself, you are in principle bound by the cancellation terms (annuleringsvoorwaarden) of the travel organisation or hotel under Dutch law. These terms determine how much money you get back and what costs you must pay. The closer to the departure date you cancel, the higher the cancellation costs usually are. Some trips can still be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before departure, whilst others charge cancellation fees from the moment of booking. It's therefore important to carefully check these terms in advance.

What does Dutch law say?

Dutch law gives travel organisations the right to charge cancellation costs when you as a traveller cancel the trip. However, these costs must be reasonable and proportionate to the actual damage suffered. Dutch legislation protects consumers against unreasonably high cancellation costs. Article 7:500 BW (Dutch Civil Code) regulates package holidays and sets limits on what travel organisations may charge.

1Article 7:500 BW (Dutch Civil Code) stipulates that cancellation costs must be reasonable and proportional to the actual damage suffered by the travel organisation

2Article 6:233 BW (Dutch Civil Code - general terms) states that unreasonably burdensome clauses can be void, including cancellation terms

3EU Package Travel Directive protects consumers against excessive cancellation costs and provides the right to clear information in advance

What are your rights in the Netherlands?

Even though you're cancelling yourself, you still have important rights as a consumer under Dutch law. These rights protect you against unreasonable costs and unclear terms.

1Right to clear information: cancellation terms must be clearly and comprehensibly explained before you book

2Right to reasonable costs: cancellation costs may not be higher than the actual damage the travel organisation suffers

3Right to refund within reasonable time: money you get back must be transferred within 14 days

4Right to compensation for illness: with travel cancellation insurance or in medical emergencies, you can often still get (part of) your money back

What can you do now?

Follow these steps to handle your cancellation properly and get back as much money as possible under Dutch law.

1Step 1: Contact your travel organisation or hotel immediately and report your cancellation in writing (email) stating your booking number

2Step 2: Check your travel cancellation insurance (if you have one) and possibly submit a claim with all required documents

3Step 3: If the cancellation costs seem unreasonably high, ask for justification of these costs and file an objection

4Step 4: If refused or facing unreasonable costs, you can file a complaint with the disputes committee or seek legal help

Sample letter or template

A well-drafted cancellation letter can make the difference between smooth handling and lengthy discussions. MijnRecht.AI can help you draft a professional cancellation letter that contains all important elements and emphasises your rights under Dutch law. This increases your chances of accommodating treatment by the travel organisation.

Where can you turn for help?

For problems with travel cancellations in the Netherlands, you can contact various institutions. Het Juridisch Loket provides free advice about your rights under Dutch law. For disputes with travel organisations, you can contact the Travel Disputes Committee (Geschillencommissie Reizen - SGR) or the Flight Tickets Disputes Committee (Geschillencommissie Vliegtickets). For more complex cases or high amounts, it may be wise to consult a lawyer familiar with Dutch travel law.

Conclusion

Cancelling a trip is always annoying, but you don't have to accept everything the travel organisation says. Know your rights under Dutch law and take action if the costs seem unreasonable. With the right approach as an expat in the Netherlands, you can often get back more money than you initially thought.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my trip free of charge if I become ill in the Netherlands?

How much may a travel organisation charge maximum for cancellation costs in the Netherlands?

Can I always cancel my flight free of charge within 24 hours?

What if the travel organisation goes bankrupt after I've cancelled?

Do I get my money back if the travel advice for my destination is red in the Netherlands?

Can I cancel without costs if my employer withdraws my holiday?

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