Gebiedsverbod

An exclusion order is a legal sanction under Dutch law that prohibits a person from entering or remaining in a specific geographical area. This may concern, for example, a neighbourhood, shopping centre or event venue and is imposed to prevent nuisance, crime or risks to victims.

The measure may be imposed both under criminal law by the court and under administrative law by the mayor, for instance pursuant to the General Local By-law (APV) or the Act on Combating Criminal Money Flows. It is relevant because it maintains public order and prevents recidivism without the necessity of full custodial detention.

In practice, an exclusion order is often combined with other measures such as a no-contact order, and a breach may give rise to criminal prosecution or administrative fines.