Compensation scheme for fireworks sector opens today
Around 850 retailers can apply from 09:00 for compensation for the nationwide ban on consumer fireworks.
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Fireworks retailers can apply for compensation from Tuesday 3 November for the consequences of the nationwide ban on consumer fireworks. The scheme runs until 18 January 2027 and is administered by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
The application period begins at 09:00. According to RVO, around 850 fireworks retailers in the Netherlands are affected. According to government information, from New Year 2026-27 they will no longer sell fireworks for the year-end celebrations to private individuals, because the ban has been in force since 1 August 2026. The same information states that F1 fireworks, such as sparklers and snap-pops, are exempt from the ban.
For retailers, the compensation consists of three elements: one year of lost profit, a 15 per cent supplement for one-off costs and other losses, and €3,500 per sales location. The latter element is capped at five locations per applicant. RVO expects the first payments from mid-January 2027.
Lost profit is not determined on the basis of a forecast of future sales, but by reference to a benchmark year. New Year 2024-25 is the starting point. Subject to conditions, businesses may also choose 2023-24 or 2022-23 if that period better suits their business. The reference period partly determines which inflation rate is used in the calculation.
Importers are covered by a separate scheme. According to the government, they can apply for compensation for three years of lost profit and can also seek compensation for certain additional costs, such as staff who have to be made redundant or unsellable remaining stock. For retailers, the scheme is more limited: they receive compensation for one year of lost profit, alongside the supplement and the amount per location.
The scheme sets out how compensation for retailers is calculated. According to documents submitted to the Lower House (Tweede Kamer), industry organisations VuurwerkCheck, SVNC and INretail helped map the losses during the preparation. Earlier documents submitted to the Lower House show that the sector had been calling for more generous compensation for some time. It is not yet known whether individual businesses will object or take the matter to court.
For the government, the scheme means that the processing of claims now begins, while the costs will not be final until the applications have been assessed. For businesses, the key issues are which reference New Year period will be accepted and which profit figures they can substantiate. The compensation covers calculated losses caused by the ban, but says nothing about the actual turnover that would have been achieved in the coming New Year period without the ban.
Both sides of the figures
▲ Bright spots
- Around 850 retailers have a formal route for having losses caused by the ban assessed, according to RVO.
- The compensation includes a 15 per cent supplement and €3,500 per sales location in addition to one year of calculated lost profit.
▼ Concerns
- Under the scheme, retailers receive compensation for one year of lost profit, while importers may qualify for three years.
- The government's final expenditure is not yet known, as the number of approved applications and the value of individual applications have yet to emerge.
Critical note
The scheme compensates calculated historical lost profit, rather than the actual turnover that would have been achieved during the coming New Year period. It therefore remains uncertain whether the formula fully reflects the actual losses of individual businesses.
Who notices what
- Businesses
- Fireworks retailers can submit an application from today, but must substantiate their turnover and profit figures from a reference year.
- Government
- The government must assess and pay the applications; the total bill has not yet been fixed.
- Households
- From the coming New Year period, private individuals may no longer buy or set off fireworks for the year-end celebrations, except F1 fireworks.
Every point comes from the article’s sources and was included in the fact check.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- A nationwide ban on consumer fireworks has been in force since 1 August 2026, with the exception of F1 fireworks.
- Retailers can apply for compensation from 3 November 2026.
- The scheme compensates one year of calculated lost profit, plus a 15 per cent supplement and an amount per sales location.
- Importers are covered by a separate compensation scheme.
Left
Arguments The government may introduce a ban to limit injury, nuisance and damage, but must compensate businesses affected by a policy change generously and transparently.
Values Protecting public safety, animals and emergency responders, combined with social justice and government responsibility.
Consequences Compensation that is too limited could cause small shops and seasonal businesses to disappear; a larger amount could make the transition fairer but would increase public costs.
Centre
Arguments The ban and compensation must remain legally and financially workable. A fixed formula based on reference years prevents claims from becoming unmanageable, but requires a proper appeals procedure for businesses with an atypical business model.
Values Legal certainty, practicability and balance between the public interest and individual losses.
Consequences The scheme can provide clarity quickly, but differences between businesses could lead to objections and additional proceedings.
Right
Arguments The government should be cautious about bans that deprive legal businesses of their market. If it intervenes nevertheless, it should seriously compensate entrepreneurs for the full transitional losses and investments.
Values Property, entrepreneurship, predictable policy and limiting government intervention.
Consequences More generous compensation protects businesses and confidence in government, but from this perspective could set a precedent for other sectors affected by new policies.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's core is based on the official RVO scheme, government information and the Staatscourant. The text clearly distinguishes between established elements of the scheme and the unconfirmed possibility of a new lawsuit.
- confirmed The compensation scheme opens on 3 November 2026 at 09:00 and closes on 18 January 2027. — Mentioned by RVO and the Dutch government. source
- confirmed Around 850 fireworks retailers can submit an application. — The number was given by RVO. source
- confirmed The retail compensation consists of one year of lost profit, a 15 per cent supplement and €3,500 per location, with a maximum of five locations. — Set out in the scheme and explained by RVO. source
- confirmed New Year 2024-25 is the reference period, with alternatives from earlier years subject to conditions. — Explained by RVO. source
- confirmed Importers can receive compensation for three years of lost profit and certain additional costs. — Mentioned on the Dutch government's information page. source
- confirmed A new lawsuit by fireworks traders has not been confirmed in the sources consulted. — The official sources consulted describe the scheme but do not report a newly filed case. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the application scheme opens on 3 November at 09:00, what amounts and deadlines apply, and how the reference period works. A lawsuit actually brought by fireworks traders has not been confirmed in the public sources consulted.Sources
- Regeling nadeelcompensatie vuurwerkdetailhandelaren opent 3 november — Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland
- Hoe krijg ik compensatie omdat ik geen vuurwerk meer mag verkopen of importeren? — Rijksoverheid
- Staatscourant 2026, 35738: Tijdelijke beleidsregel nadeelcompensatie vuurwerkdetailhandelaren — Overheid.nl
- Nadeelcompensatieregeling vuurwerkbedrijven Wet veilige jaarwisseling — Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal