Compensation for victims of terrorist attacks abroad

You may be able to claim compensation if you have been a victim of terrorism abroad since 27 November 2012. 

You may be able to claim if one of the following apply:  

  • you were injured physically or mentally in a specific act of terrorism  

  • you were a witness to a specific act of terrorism where a loved one was injured  

  • you are the partner or close family member of someone killed in a specific act of terrorism  

You must also: 

  • be a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, member of the UK armed forces (or a close relation or family member)  

  • have lived in the UK for 3 years immediately before the terrorist incident happened   

Read more about the eligibility for this scheme.  

Terrorist acts you can claim for  

You can currently claim for these terrorist acts: 

  • attacks in Sri Lanka (21 April 2019) 

  • attack in Stockholm, Sweden (7 April 2017) 

  • attack in Berlin, Germany (19 December 2016) 

  • attack in Nice, France (14 July 2016) 

  • attack in Gaziantep, Turkey (1 May 2016) 

  • attacks in Brussels, Belgium (22 March 2016) 

  • attacks in Paris, France (13 November 2015) 

  • attack at Port el Kantaoui near Sousse, Tunisia (26 June 2015) 

  • attack at Kabul airport, Afghanistan (17 May 2015) 

  • attack at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis, Tunisia (18 March 2015) 

  • attack at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya (21 September 2013) 

  • kidnap of Setraco employees in Jama’are, Nigeria (16 February 2013) 

  • hostage crisis at In Amenas, Algeria (16 January 2013) 

You may be able to claim for other attacks. 

How to claim 

Send the relevant application form to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. 

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority 

Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme (VOTCS) team 

PO Box 26996 

Glasgow 

G2 9ER  

Help with claiming 

Call the helpline if you have questions about claiming. 

VOTCS helpline  

Telephone: 0300 003 3601 

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm 

Wednesdays, 10am to 5pm 

Find out about call charges