Artikel 14: Expropriation
- Expropriation may take place only in the public interest and on prior assurance of full compensation, in accordance with regulations laid down by or pursuant to Act of Parliament.
- Prior assurance of full compensation shall not be required if in an emergency immediate expropriation is called for.
- In the cases laid down by or pursuant to Act of Parliament there shall be a right to full or partial compensation if in the public interest the competent authority destroys property or renders it unusable or restricts the exercise of the owner's rights to it.
Explanation
Please note: Only the Dutch-language version of the Constitution has legal effect.
Article 14 governs expropriation. In the public interest, the authorities may sometimes need to take someone’s property. The amount of compensation must be determined in advance. The procedure for expropriation and assessing compensation must be laid down by law.
In emergencies, the requirement to determine compensation in advance may be waived.
If property is destroyed or rendered unusable, or if someone’s property rights are restricted, they may be entitled to compensation or a contribution towards their loss, but only in cases specified by law.