News item | 08-05-2026 | 5:45 PM
Today, State Secretary Annet Bertram (Infrastructure and Water Management) informed the House about the principles of the disadvantage compensation for the fireworks ban. Last year, both Houses approved the Safe New Year’s Eve initiative bill from GroenLinks-PvdA and the Party for the Animals, which regulates a fireworks ban for consumers. The House of Representatives attached three conditions to this: local exemptions, an enforcement plan and fair and fair compensation for disadvantages. This brings the introduction of the ban one step closer.
Three conditions
The Cabinet previously established the frameworks for local exemptions from the fireworks ban. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have now considered this. This arrangement is now before the Council of State. Another condition was that there would be an enforcement plan. The Minister of Justice & Security has sent this to the House of Representatives. The third condition was that there would be fair and fair compensation for fireworks entrepreneurs. State Secretary Bertram today informed the House of Representatives about the details of this.
This is about compensation for disadvantages. This means that it concerns compensation of disproportionate damage resulting from lawful government actions. Only damage that exceeds the normal business risk can be compensated. It was taken into account that the fireworks ban had been coming for some time. Too high compensation can also be qualified as state aid, where there is a chance that the money paid out will have to be reclaimed.
Importers
We have reached an agreement with the fireworks importers. The starting point here is three years of loss of profit. This means that they will be reimbursed for the profits they cannot make in the coming New Years. In addition, they will receive compensation for other costs resulting from the fireworks ban. For example the transition compensation for staff they have to let go or loss compensation for residual stocks.
Retailers
There will be a separate arrangement for retailers. This allows the retailers to easily apply for the compensation and it can be paid out quickly. The starting point is one year of loss of profit with a surcharge of 15%. On top of that, they receive an extra amount of €3,500 per company. This is to accommodate small traders, for example to buy out a rental agreement
This division was chosen because the fireworks trade is their main activity for importers. Their purchasing and sales cycle is long, approximately 16 months. For retailers it is often a side activity next to their main activity (e.g. bicycle shop, garden centre). The estimated costs for the scheme are approximately €90 million. Because disadvantage compensation always involves an open-ended account, the final amount may be higher or lower. That is why €100 million is being reserved as a precaution.
State Secretary Bertram: “As a government, we are dealing with the right to compensation for disadvantages on the one hand, and the rules surrounding state aid on the other. Within these frameworks, we have looked for fair and fair compensation for fireworks entrepreneurs. The consideration took into account that the fireworks ban had been coming for some time and was foreseeable for these entrepreneurs. At the same time, there is understanding for the consequences of the ban, both for importers and for retailers. Even if the fireworks trade, in the case of retailers, is a side activity, That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.”
Aim for entry into force on August 1
In the opinion of the Cabinet, by sending the principles, the third condition of the House of Representatives for a national fireworks ban has been met. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate can still comment on the disadvantage compensation scheme and the entry into force decision. The government aims to enter into force on August 1, so that the fireworks ban will be in force next New Year’s Eve
