Victim of terrorism: compensation by the Victims Guarantee Fund

Verified 07 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice

Have you or any of your relatives been the victim of a terrorist attack? You can claim compensation from the Victims of Terrorism and Other Crime Guarantee Fund (VTIF). Payment of the compensation is intended to repair the harm suffer, that you are one direct victim or one of its relatives. We present you the information to know.

The applicable rules are dependent of your situation: you were injured, one of your relatives was injured, one of your relatives died.

You were injured

The conditions for claiming compensation from the Guarantee Fund for Victims of Terrorism and Other Offenses (FGTI) differ depending on where the terrorist attack was committed.

In France

As a victim of a terrorist attack, you can be compensated by the FGTI, whatever your nationality.

Warning  

If you are a minor, your legal representatives must make the request in your place after obtaining the agreement of the protection litigation judge.

Abroad

If you are from French nationality, you can be compensated by the ITGF.

Warning  

If you are a minor, your legal representatives must make the request in your place after obtaining the agreement of the protection litigation judge.

The ITGF compensates you for the physical and psychological harm you have suffered. He can in particular the following damage:

  • Healthcare expenses that are not covered by the Health Insurance (hospital costs, pharmaceutical costs, etc.)
  • Temporary or permanent loss of work income (e.g. lower salary or income)
  • Accommodation or adapted vehicle costs if you have a disability
  • Expenses related to the assistance of another person to help you in the gestures of daily life if you have a disability
  • Physical and psychological suffering you endure from terrorist attack
  • Cosmetic damage if your appearance has been affected (for example, if you have a scar on your face)
  • Sexual harm if you experience sexual disturbances as a result of terrorist attack.

The damages suffered are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on your personal situation and the evidence you provide to the ITGF.

FYI  

The amount paid by the FGTI due to your personal injury and moral injury may be supplemented by the amount received as a result of an insurance contract.

If you have been wounded during a terrorist attack, you must apply to the ITGF for compensation.

However, if you were unconscious after the attack, the public prosecutor is responsible for preventing FGTI. So you don't have to do anything unless the FGTI hasn't contacted you.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Injured victim

Your request must be made within 10 years following the consolidation your state of health related to the attack.

After this period, you can apply provided you state the reason why you did not apply for compensation within the time limit.

If a criminal trial has taken place, the request must be made within one year from the day on which the court decision has become definitive.

The request can be made online or by post.

Online

The request is made using an online service:

Claim for compensation by a victim of a terrorist act

In order for your application to be reviewed, the application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Copy of your ID (national identity card, passport or residence permit)
  • Copy of the initial medical certificate and the consolidation medical certificate if you have it
  • Supporting documents specific to the costs already incurred following the attack (hospital bill, pharmacy bills, etc.)
  • Bank details.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. He may ask you for additional documents (example: proof of income). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. They may ask you for additional documents (e.g. proof of income, copies of invoices). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

By post

You can apply by filling out a form:

Claim Form - Victim of Terrorism

In order for your application to be reviewed, the application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Copy of your ID (national identity card, passport or residence permit)
  • Copy of the initial medical certificate and the consolidation medical certificate if you have it
  • Supporting documents specific to the costs already incurred following the attack (hospital bill, pharmacy bills, etc.)
  • Bank details.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. He may ask you for additional documents (example: proof of income). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

The file should be forwarded directly to the ITGF.

Unconscious injured victim

In principle, you do not have to take steps to be compensated by the FGTI if you are a victim of a terrorist attack.

After the terrorist action, the public prosecutor (or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if the terrorist attack took place abroad) informs the FGTI of the bombing and the identity of the victims victims who have died or been injured and remain unconscious.

Subsequently, the FGTI contacts you directly to obtain the necessary supporting documents to determine the amount of your compensation.

However, if you were in a coma after the terrorist attack and the FGTI did not contact you, you can apply for compensation.

This request must be made within 10 years following the consolidation your state of health related to the attack.

After this period, you can apply to the ITGF provided that state the reason why you did not apply for compensation within the time limit.

If a criminal trial has taken place, the request must be made within one year from the day on which the court decision has become definitive.

The request can be made online or by post.

Online

The request is made using an online service:

Claim for compensation by a victim of a terrorist act

In order for your application to be reviewed, the application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Copy of your identity document (national identity card, passport or residence permit)
  • Documents to justify your physical injuries (initial medical certificate, passage in a medico-psychological emergency cell (CUMP), etc.)
  • Copy of your testimony before the police or gendarmerie (or copy of the complaint)
  • Police reports or certificate from the French consulate (in case of terrorist attack committed abroad)
  • Your bank identity statement.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. They may ask you for additional documents (e.g. proof of income, copies of invoices). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

By post

You can apply by filling out a form:

Claim Form - Victim of Terrorism

In order for your application to be reviewed, the application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Copy of your ID (national identity card, passport or residence permit)
  • Copy of the initial medical certificate and the consolidation medical certificate if you have it
  • Supporting documents specific to the costs already incurred following the attack (hospital bill, pharmacy bills, etc.)
  • Bank details.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. He may ask you for additional documents (example: proof of income). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

The file should be forwarded directly to the ITGF.

Upon receipt of your claim, the ITGF will review your claim to determine if you meet the conditions for receiving compensation from the ITGF.

Please note

The FGTI looks particularly at whether you have actually been exposed to a danger of death or if you have suffered injuries during terrorist attack.

If the FGTI believes that you meet the conditions for compensation, the FGTI declares that your claim is admissible.

If not, he considers your request as inadmissible. This may be the case, for example, if you (or someone close to you) have not been directly exposed to a danger of death or injury during terrorist attack.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Admissible application

Within one month of your application, the ITGF will pay you a provision to enable you to meet the initial costs incurred by the terrorist attack.

The amount of this amount of money depends on the extent of the harm you suffer and the supporting documents you have provided.

Subsequently, additional provisions may be paid to you pending final compensation.

Application inadmissible

If the FGTI declares that your application is inadmissible, you can challenge its decision before the FGTI mediator (amicable procedure) or before the Paris court (judicial proceedings).

Appeals to the FGTI Ombudsman

You can contact the ITGF mediator by sending him a form:

Victims of terrorist attacks and offenses: refer the victims' guarantee fund to the Ombudsman

This form must be sent directly to the FGTI mediator, by mail or post RAR: titleContent.

Who shall I contact

  • Mailing Address

    ITGF Mediator

    TSA 40499 - 94689 Vincennes cedex

    E-mail address

    lemediateur@fgti.fr

Please note

To help you in your steps, you can call on a lawyer.

If you don't have the financial resources to hire this professional, you can apply for legal aid.

The ITGF mediator issues an opinion on the admissibility of your request. If he finds it admissible, your file is examined again.

Action before the tribunal judiciaire de Paris

You have the possibility to challenge the decision of the FGTI before the judicial court of Paris.

To do this, your lawyer must send a assignment at Judge for Compensation of Victims of Terrorism (Jivat) of the Paris court.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

Before the Jivat of the judicial court of Paris, the assistance of lawyer is mandatory.

If you don't have the financial resources to hire this professional, you can apply for legal aid.

If the Jivat considers your appeal admissible, it may order the FGTI to pay you a provision.

The ITGF follows a specific procedure to determine the amount of compensation due to you.

If you accept the compensation offer, the amount of money granted to you can be paid to you in different ways.

What steps does the ITGF take to make an offer of compensation to the victim?

If you have been injured in a terrorist attack, the FGTI can ask an expert doctor independent conduct a medical assessment before making an offer of compensation.

This expertise makes it possible to observe medically the extent of the consequences of the attack.

If your state of health is not consolidated, the doctor offers you a subsequent appointment during which he examines you again.

Please note

During the medical expertise, you can be assisted by your medical advisor, a relative or your lawyer.

Following the medical assessment, the physician submits a report to the FGTI.

If your health is not stabilized, the ITGF may pay you provisions.

If the expert doctor determines that your health is consolidated, the FGTI must make you an offer of compensation within 3 months of receipt of your complete application.

Please note

If the FGTI does not meet this deadline, the Jivat: titleContent of the court of justice of Paris may order it to pay you damages.

The offer of compensation is proposed based on the report of the expert doctor and the supporting documents provided, after deducting the sums paid by the Health Insurance or any other organization.

The provisions that you have received are also deducted from the compensation.

FYI  

To determine the total amount of your compensation, the FGTI may request the disclosure of additional information to any public or private service (health insurance, insurance company, your employer with your consentetc.).

This information should only be used for the investigation of the claim.

What are the methods of payment of compensation?

Compensation can be paid to you in a single installment or periodically for certain types of damages (e.g. in case of loss of income).

You and the ITGF determine the payment method that is best for you, based on the amount paid and the damages you have suffered.

FYI  

You can use the money paid as you wish.

After having compensated you, the FGTI can turn against the author of the terrorist attack so that it reimburses him all or part of the amount of your compensation.

If you are not satisfied with the ITGF compensation offer, you may contact the ITGF Compensation Officer to try to reach an agreement.

If you are unable to agree with the ITGF (or if you totally refuse the compensation offer), you may assign the FGTI before the Judge of Compensation for Victims of Terrorist Acts (Jivat) of the Paris Court of Justice.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

Before the Jivat of the Paris Court of Justice, the assistance of lawyer is mandatory. If you don't have the financial resources to hire this professional, you can apply for legal aid.

It is up to the Jivat of the Paris Court of Justice to determine the amount of compensation owed to you by the FGTI.

One of your relatives was injured

The conditions for claiming compensation from the Guarantee Fund for Victims of Terrorism and Other Offenses (FGTI) differ depending on where the terrorist attack was committed.

In France

As that entitled a victim of a terrorist act, you can be compensated by the FGTI, regardless of the nationality of the victim.

Abroad

When one of your relatives of french nationality was a victim of terrorism, you can claim compensation from the ITGF whatever your nationality.

The ITGF compensates harm that you have suffered as a result of the terrorist attack suffered by one of your relatives. This may include the following:

  • Loss or decrease of income you suffer due to the disability of your spouse, cohabiting partner, civil partnership partner or parent
  • Suffering while waiting for the victim's fate to be known (for example, the fear felt between the moment you learn that an attack has occurred and the moment you hear from your loved ones)
  • Moral harm you suffer as a result of the pain experienced by a severely disabled relative.

The damages suffered are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on your personal situation and the evidence you provide to the ITGF.

Please note

Compensation paid by the ITGF may be supplemented by compensation received as a result of an insurance contract.

If one of your relatives has been seriously injured in a terrorist attack, you can apply for compensation to the FGTI.

However, if your loved one was unconscious after the attack, the public prosecutor is responsible for preventing FGTI. So you don't have to do anything unless the FGTI hasn't contacted you.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Injured victim

The request must be made within 10 years following the consolidation your state of health related to the attack.

After this period, you can apply provided you state the reason why you did not apply for compensation within the time limit.

If a criminal trial has taken place, the request must be made within one year from the day on which the court decision has become definitive.

The request can be made online or by post.

Online

You can apply from the following online service:

Claim for compensation from the FGTI - Relative of a victim of terrorism

In order for your application to be reviewed, the application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Copy of ID (national identity card, passport or residence permit)
  • Any document proving a relationship with the injured/deceased person(for example, a family booklet)
  • Your bank identity statement.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. He may ask you for additional documents (example: proof of income). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

By post

You can apply by filling out a form:

Claim Form - Relative of a Victim of Terrorism

In order for your application to be reviewed, the application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Copy of ID (national identity card, passport or residence permit)
  • Any document demonstrating a family relationship with the injured/deceased person(for example, a family booklet)
  • Your bank identity statement.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. He may ask you for additional documents (example: proof of income). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

Unconscious injured victim

In principle, you do not have to take steps to be compensated by the FGTI if you are a victim of a terrorist attack.

After the terrorist action, the public prosecutor (or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if the terrorist attack took place abroad) informs the FGTI of the bombing and the identity of the victims victims who have died or been injured and remain unconscious.

Then, the FGTI contacts you directly to obtain the necessary supporting documents to determine the amount of your compensation.

If the FGTI has not contacted you, you can apply for compensation.

This request must be made within 10 years following the consolidation your state of health related to the attack.

After this period, you can apply to the ITGF provided that state the reason why you did not apply for compensation within the time limit.

If a criminal trial has taken place, the request must be made within one year from the day on which the court decision has become definitive.

The request can be made online or by post.

Online

You can apply from the following online service:

Claim for compensation from the FGTI - Relative of a victim of terrorism

In order for your application to be reviewed, the application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Copy of ID (national identity card, passport or residence permit)
  • Any document demonstrating a family relationship with the injured/deceased person(for example, a family booklet)
  • Your bank identity statement.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. He may ask you for additional documents (example: proof of income). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

By post

You can apply by filling out a form:

Claim Form - Relative of a Victim of Terrorism

In order for your application to be reviewed, the application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Copy of ID (national identity card, passport or residence permit)
  • Any document demonstrating a family relationship with the injured/deceased person(for example, a family booklet)
  • Your bank identity statement.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. He may ask you for additional documents (example: proof of income). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

Upon receipt of your claim, the ITGF will review your claim to determine if you meet the conditions for receiving compensation from the ITGF.

If the FGTI believes that you meet the conditions for compensation, the FGTI declares that your claim is admissible.

If not, he considers your request as inadmissible. This may be the case, for example, if you (or someone close to you) have not been directly exposed to a danger of death or injury during terrorist attack.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Admissible application

Within one month of your application, the ITGF will pay you a provision to enable you to meet the initial costs incurred by the terrorist attack.

The amount of this amount of money depends on the extent of the harm you suffer and the supporting documents you have provided.

Subsequently, additional provisions may be paid to you pending final compensation.

Application inadmissible

If the FGTI declares that your application is inadmissible, you can challenge its decision before the FGTI mediator (amicable procedure) or before the Paris court (judicial proceedings).

Appeals to the FGTI Ombudsman

You can contact the ITGF mediator by sending him a form:

Victims of terrorist attacks and offenses: refer the victims' guarantee fund to the Ombudsman

This form must be sent directly to the FGTI mediator, by mail or post RAR: titleContent.

Who shall I contact

  • Mailing Address

    ITGF Mediator

    TSA 40499 - 94689 Vincennes cedex

    E-mail address

    lemediateur@fgti.fr

Please note

To help you in your steps, you can call on a lawyer.

If you don't have the financial resources to hire this professional, you can apply for legal aid.

The ITGF mediator issues an opinion on the admissibility of your request. If he finds it admissible, your file is examined again.

Action before the tribunal judiciaire de Paris

You have the possibility to challenge the decision of the FGTI before the judicial court of Paris.

To do this, your lawyer must send a assignment at Judge for Compensation of Victims of Terrorism (Jivat) of the Paris court.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

Before the Jivat of the judicial court of Paris, the assistance of lawyer is mandatory.

If you don't have the financial resources to hire this professional, you can apply for legal aid.

If the Jivat considers your appeal admissible, it may order the FGTI to pay you a provision.

After declaring your claim admissible, the FGTI determines the amount of compensation it can offer you based on the damages suffered.

FYI  

To determine the total amount of your compensation, the FGTI may request the disclosure of additional information to any public or private service (health insurance, insurance company, your employer with your consentetc.).

This information should only be used for the investigation of the claim.

An offer of compensation is sent to you in writing, within 3 months of receipt of your complete file.

If you accept it, compensation is paid to you in a single installment or periodically for certain types of damage (e.g. in case of loss of income).

You and the FGTI determine the payment method that is best for you, based on the amount paid and the damages you suffer.

Please note

You can use the money paid as you wish.

After having compensated you, the FGTI can turn against the author of the terrorist attack so that it reimburses him all or part of the amount of your compensation.

If you are not satisfied with the ITGF compensation offer, you may contact the ITGF Compensation Officer to try to reach an agreement.

If you are unable to agree with the ITGF (or if you refuse the compensation offer altogether), you may assign the FGTI before the Judge of Compensation for Victims of Terrorist Acts (Jivat) of the Paris Court of Justice.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

Before the Jivat of the Paris Court of Justice, the assistance of lawyer is mandatory. If you don't have the financial resources to hire this professional, you can apply for legal aid.

It is up to the Jivat of the Paris Court of Justice to determine the amount of compensation owed to you by the FGTI.

One of your loved ones died

The conditions for claiming compensation from the Guarantee Fund for Victims of Terrorism and Other Offenses (FGTI) differ depending on where the terrorist attack was committed.

In France

As that entitled a victim of a terrorist act, you can be compensated by the FGTI, regardless of the nationality of the victim.

Abroad

When one of your relatives of french nationality was a victim of terrorism, you can claim compensation from the ITGF whatever your nationality.

The ITGF compensates for damages materials and moral that you have suffered as a result of the offense of which one of your relatives. This may include the following:

  • Funeral expenses (expenses for traveling to the morgue, expenses for repatriating the body, funeral notices, etc.)
  • Loss or decrease of income you suffer due to the death of your spouse, common-law partner, civil partnership partner or parent
  • Suffering while waiting for the victim's fate to be known (for example, waiting between the time you are informed of the attack and the death of your loved one)
  • Moral harm you suffered as a result of the death of a loved one.

The damages suffered are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on your personal situation and the evidence you provided to the ITGF.

Please note

The compensation paid by the ITGF may be cumulated with that received as a result of an insurance contract.

In principle, if you are the person entitled of a victim of terrorism, you do not have to take steps to be compensated by the FGTI.

Indeed, it comes back to public prosecutor (or to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if the terrorist attack took place abroad) to inform the FGTI of the bombing and the identity of the dead victims.

Afterwards, the FGTI contacts you directly and asks you for the necessary documents to proceed with your compensation.

However, if you feel you are a indirect victim On one terrorist attack, you can submit a claim to the ITGF.

This request can be made within 10 years following the death of your loved one.

FYI  

If a criminal trial has taken place, it can be done within one year from the court decision.

The request can be made online or by post:

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Online

You can apply from the following online service:

Claim for compensation from the FGTI - Relative of a victim of terrorism

In order for your application to be reviewed, the application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Copy of ID (national identity card, passport or residence permit)
  • Any document demonstrating a family relationship with the injured/deceased person(for example, a family booklet)
  • Your bank identity statement.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. He may ask you for additional documents (example: proof of income). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

By post

You can apply by filling out a form:

Claim Form - Relative of a Victim of Terrorism

In order for your application to be reviewed, the application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Copy of ID (national identity card, passport or residence permit)
  • Any document demonstrating a family relationship with the injured/deceased person(for example, a family booklet)
  • Your bank identity statement.

FYI  

The FGTI assists you in the constitution of your file. He may ask you for additional documents (example: proof of income). You can provide these items as you go along, depending on when you have them.

Upon receipt of your claim, the ITGF will review your claim to determine if you meet the conditions for receiving compensation from the ITGF.

If the FGTI believes that you meet the conditions for compensation, the FGTI declares that your claim is admissible.

If not, he considers your request as inadmissible. This may be the case, for example, if you (or someone close to you) have not been directly exposed to a danger of death or injury during terrorist attack.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Admissible application

Within one month of your application, the ITGF will pay you a provision to enable you to meet the initial costs incurred by the terrorist attack.

The amount of this amount of money depends on the extent of the harm you suffer and the supporting documents you have provided.

Subsequently, additional provisions may be paid to you pending final compensation.

Application inadmissible

If the FGTI declares that your application is inadmissible, you can challenge its decision before the FGTI mediator (amicable procedure) or before the Paris court (judicial proceedings).

Appeals to the FGTI Ombudsman

You can contact the ITGF mediator by sending him a form:

Victims of terrorist attacks and offenses: refer the victims' guarantee fund to the Ombudsman

This form must be sent directly to the FGTI mediator, by mail or post RAR: titleContent.

Who shall I contact

  • Mailing Address

    ITGF Mediator

    TSA 40499 - 94689 Vincennes cedex

    E-mail address

    lemediateur@fgti.fr

Please note

To help you in your steps, you can call on a lawyer.

If you don't have the financial resources to hire this professional, you can apply for legal aid.

The ITGF mediator issues an opinion on the admissibility of your request. If he finds it admissible, your file is examined again.

Action before the tribunal judiciaire de Paris

You have the possibility to challenge the decision of the FGTI before the judicial court of Paris.

To do this, your lawyer must send a assignment at Judge for Compensation of Victims of Terrorism (Jivat) of the Paris court.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

Before the Jivat of the judicial court of Paris, the assistance of lawyer is mandatory.

If you don't have the financial resources to hire this professional, you can apply for legal aid.

If the Jivat considers your appeal admissible, it may order the FGTI to pay you a provision.

After declaring your claim admissible, the FGTI determines the amount of compensation it can offer you based on the damages suffered.

FYI  

To determine the total amount of your compensation, the FGTI may request the disclosure of additional information to any public or private service (health insurance, insurance company, your employer with your consentetc.).

This information should only be used for the investigation of the claim.

An offer of compensation is sent to you in writing, within 3 months of receipt of your complete file.

If you accept it, compensation is paid to you in a single installment or periodically for certain types of damage (e.g. in case of loss of income).

You and the FGTI determine the payment method that is best for you, based on the amount paid and the damages you suffer.

Please note

You can use the money paid as you wish.

After having compensated you, the FGTI can turn against the author of the terrorist attack so that it reimburses him all or part of the amount of your compensation.

If you are not satisfied with the ITGF compensation offer, you may contact the ITGF Compensation Officer to try to reach an agreement.

If you are unable to agree with the ITGF (or if you refuse the compensation offer altogether), you may assign the FGTI before the Judge of Compensation for Victims of Terrorist Acts (Jivat) of the Paris Court of Justice.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

Before the Jivat of the Paris Court of Justice, the assistance of lawyer is mandatory. If you don't have the financial resources to hire this professional, you can apply for legal aid.

It is up to the Jivat of the Paris Court of Justice to determine the amount of compensation owed to you by the FGTI.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • For more information on compensation for victims of terrorism

    Guarantee Fund for Victims of Terrorism and Other Offenses (FGTI)

  • To resolve a dispute regarding the ITGF claim

    Mailing Address

    ITGF Mediator

    TSA 40499 - 94689 Vincennes cedex

    E-mail address

    lemediateur@fgti.fr

  • To obtain assistance during proceedings before the FGTI mediator or before the Paris court

    Lawyer

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