The standard civil compensation fee charged to caught shoplifters will rise from €181 to €242 starting on 14 September 2026. The rate had remained unchanged since 2012, even as operating costs for retailers increased substantially over the intervening thirteen years.
The increase aims to provide retailers with higher compensation for damages while preserving the preventive impact of the scheme. Under the SODA system, shoplifting incidents are handled through civil law, allowing business owners to recover costs directly.
Legal backing and shop procedures
The revised fee follows research and discussions with shop owners, alongside a legal review conducted by a law firm in 2025 that concluded an increase was justifiable. Factors considered in setting the new sum included inflation, rising government fines, and whether the amount remains proportionate.
Day-to-day procedures for participating retailers will not change, as cases can still be registered through bijwinkeldiefstal.nl without police involvement. Stores will update the entrance stickers that inform customers of the mandatory €242 compensation fee.
![Top [count] Travel Blogs to Follow - OnToplist.com](https://www.ontoplist.com/images/ontoplist31.png?id=6a8dcf108f478)