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:
20/05/2019
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.
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:
10/12/2018
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.
Last update:
15/07/2019
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.
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:
17/07/2018
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.
Languages for the transmission of applications
English and Irish
Application forms for compensation
This link 
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/WP15000110 will bring you to the page on the website of the Department of Justice and Equality which concerns the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
Application forms in respect of fatal and non-fatal injuries can be accessed via a link at the bottom of the page.
Last update:
04/04/2018
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.
Languages for the transmission of applications
The official language for submitting the application and exchanging information, particulars and supporting documents is Greek.
Application forms for compensation
The application form for compensation to victims can be accessed via the website of the Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights, at the following link:
http://www.ministryofjustice.gr/site/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=rytwEr1HmLM%3d&tabid=151
Last update:
23/07/2018
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.
Languages for the transmission of applications
Spanish.
Application forms for compensation
Form
(75 Kb)
for sending a compensation claim in cross-border situations
Form(53 Kb) for sending decisions regarding a compensation claim in cross-border situations
Last update:
03/07/2018
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.
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: https://pravosudje.gov.hr/o-ministarstvu/djelokrug-6366/iz-pravosudnog-sustava-6372/podrska-zrtvama-i-svjedocima/6156
Last update:
23/07/2018
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.
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:
18/04/2019
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.
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:
23/07/2018
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.
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:
19/03/2019
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.
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:
23/07/2018
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.
Last update:
23/07/2018
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.
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)(52 Kb)
Last update:
03/07/2018
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.
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.
http://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.
http://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.
Languages for the transmission of applications
Swedish or English.
Application forms for compensation
Forms in Swedish:
Ansökan om brottsskadeersättning (‘application for compensation for criminal injuries’; requires identification using the Swedish Mobile BankID)
Ansökan om brottsskadeersättning för personskada och kränkning (‘application for criminal injuries compensation for personal injury and violation of personal integrity’, pdf)
Ansökan om brottsskadeersättning för barn som bevittnat brott som varit ägnat att skada barnets trygghet och tillit i förhållande till en närstående person (‘application for criminal injuries compensation for a child who has witnessed a crime liable to damage the child’s trust and confidence in a close relative’, pdf)
Ansökan om brottsskadeersättning för sak- eller ren förmögenhetsskada (‘application for criminal injuries compensation for material or purely financial damage’, pdf)
Form in English:
Application for criminal injuries compensation for personal injury and violation of personal integrity (pdf)
Last update:
26/07/2018
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.
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.
