Strike arrangement applies on 9 September
On Wednesday 9 September there will be no NS trains in the Netherlands because of the announced nationwide public transport strike. This has major consequences for travellers. The strike arrangement therefore applies.
If you cannot travel because of the strike or are affected by it during your journey, you can use the Money Back in Case of Delay (GTBV) scheme. You can do this easily online via Mijn NS or via the GTBV form.
This page explains which conditions apply.
NS strike arrangement
Compensation for strikes is set out in article 6.4 of the General Conditions for the carriage of Passengers and Hand Luggage of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (AVR-NS).
We will announce on the day of the strike whether the strike arrangement applies. The strike arrangement applies only to an organised strike by NS staff that makes travel on NS trains completely impossible.
If the strike arrangement is in force you can claim the Money Back in Case of Delay (GTBV) scheme. To use this scheme, submit a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' claim via your Mijn NS account or this web form.
What applies to your situation?
Below you can see, for each type of ticket and situation, what options you have, what we offer and how to arrange it.
Terms apply, such as the terms of the NS Money Back in Case of Delay scheme (GTBV). When we refer to a 'journey', we mean a journey on NS trains.
E-ticket or single-use chip card (paper ticket)
You have an e-ticket or single-use chip card (paper ticket) valid on the day of the strike. Below you can see, for each type of ticket and situation, what your options are, what we offer and how to arrange it.
- You have a delay of 30 to 59 minutes
Partial refund of your ticket. You can request this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via this web form. - You have a delay of more than 60 minutes
- Refund of your ticket. You can request this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via this web form.
- Or a new replacement ticket. Request a coupon code for this from Customer Service.
- You cancel your journey because you would have a delay of more than 60 minutes
- Refund of your ticket. You can request this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via this web form.
- Or a new replacement ticket. Request a coupon code for this from Customer Service.
OV-chipkaart or OV-pas: full fare or Voordeel-abonnement
You have an OV-chipkaart or OV-pas that you use to travel at the full fare or with a discount (Voordeel-abonnement valid on the day of the strike). Below you can see, for each situation, what your options are and what we offer.
- You did not travel on an NS train
Were you prevented from travelling by the strike and did not check in? In that case you did not incur any costs for a journey. That is why the Money Back in Case of Delay (GTBV) scheme does not apply.
Did you check in but were unable to travel or had to end your journey early because of the strike? Compensation may be possible in some cases. See the conditions below. - You were delayed between 30 and 59 minutes
A refund of part of your ticket. You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via your Mijn NS account or this web form. - You were delayed for more than 60 minutes
A refund of your ticket. You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via your Mijn NS account or this web form.
OV-chipkaart: season ticket that you use outside your free period
You have an OV-chipkaart with a paid-up season ticket (Vrij-abonnement) that you use outside your free period or plan to use on the strike day (for example, you hold a Weekend-Vrij season ticket but travel on weekdays). Below you can see your options for each situation and what we offer.
- You did not travel on an NS train
Did the strike prevent you from travelling and you did not check in? In that case you did not incur any costs for your journey. That is why the Money Back in Case of Delay (GTBV) scheme does not apply.
Did you check in but were unable to make your journey or had to cut it short because of the strike? Compensation may be possible in some cases. See the conditions below. - You were delayed for between 30 and 59 minutes
Refund of part or all of your ticket. You can request this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' claim through your Mijn NS-account or via this web form. - You were delayed for more than 60 minutes
Refund of your ticket. You can request this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' claim through your Mijn NS-account or via this web form.
OV-chipkaart: Vrij season ticket that lets you travel during your Vrij period
You have an OV-chipkaart with a paid-up Vrij season ticket that lets you travel during your Vrij period and that you are using or intended to use on the day of the strike. Below you will find what options apply in each situation and what we offer.
- You have a delay of at least 30 to 59 minutes
Refund of part of the fare for your journey or season ticket fees (depending on your season ticket). You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via your NS-account or this web form. - You have a delay of more than 60 minutes
Refund of the fare for your journey or season ticket fees (depending on your season ticket). You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via your NS-account or this web form. - You cancel your planned journey because the trip was not possible due to the strike
If the strike compensation scheme is in effect, you may be eligible for compensation under the conditions of Money Back in Case of Delay. We assess a request based on a check-in. If you did not check in because the strike prevented you from travelling, we will ask you to show that you intended to travel with NS on that day. We will use that information to decide whether you qualify for compensation. You can submit a request for this via this web form.
Payment card, credit card or mobile at full fare
You are travelling on your payment card, credit card or mobile at full fare with no discount. Below you can see, for each situation, what your options are and what we offer.
- You were delayed between 30 and 59 minutes
Refund of (part of) your ticket. You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via your NS-account or this web form. - You were delayed for more than 60 minutes
Refund of your ticket. You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via your NS-account or this web form.
NS Dagje Uit: e‑ticket combined with a hotel booking
You booked an e‑ticket together with a hotel through NS Dagje Uit. Below you can see, for each situation, what your options are and what we offer.
- You use your hotel stay and you have at least 30 to 59 minutes of delay on your journey
Refund of (part of) your ticket. You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via this web form. - You use your hotel stay and you have more than 60 minutes of delay on your journey
- Refund of your ticket. You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via this web form.
- Or choose a new replacement ticket. Request a coupon code for this from Customer Service.
- You use your hotel stay but cancel your journey because you would have more than 60 minutes of delay
- Refund of your ticket. You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via this web form.
- Or a new replacement ticket. Request a coupon code for this from Customer Service.
- You cancel both your hotel stay and your journey
Refund of the costs of your hotel stay and ticket, if the strike compensation scheme applies. You can request your refund via Day Out Customer Service.
For more information, also see NS.nl/dagje-uit/uitjes-en-tickets.
Spoordeelwinkel: E-ticket with an outing
You have booked an E-ticket with an outing through NS Dagje Uit. Below you can see, for each situation, what your options are and what we offer.
- You use your outing and experience a delay of between 30 and 59 minutes on your journey
Refund of all or part of your ticket. You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via this web form. - You use your outing and experience more than 60 minutes delay on your journey
- Refund of your ticket. You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via this web form.
- You can choose a replacement ticket instead. Request a coupon code for this from Customer Service.
- You use your outing but cancel your journey because you would have faced more than 60 minutes delay
- Refund of your ticket. You can arrange this by submitting a 'Money Back in Case of Delay' request via this web form.
- Choose a replacement ticket instead. Request a coupon code for this from Customer Service.
- You cancel both your outing and your journey
If the strike policy applies, you can rebook the outing and ticket for another date. Arrange this through Customer Service Dagje Uit.
For more information, see NS.nl/dagje-uit/uitjes-en-tickets.
Change to strike arrangement from 4 September
We have simplified the strike arrangement. From 4 September you can no longer receive compensation for alternative transport of up to € 25 per day per person. This change is included in the new general conditions.
You still have the option to get money back for delays during a strike. In principle, you must have checked in for this.
Quick and clear compensation
We want to compensate you quickly, clearly and simply during a strike. That is why we use a single compensation scheme through Money Back in Case of Delay (GTBV).
The current scheme for alternative transport has proved difficult to implement, costly and hard to verify in practice. This has led to long processing times and high operating costs. By choosing a single scheme through Money Back in Case of Delay (GTBV), compensation remains possible while travellers receive faster clarity and the scheme is simpler and more reliable to administer.