Terms & Conditions
Version N. 2, 03/06/2026.
1. Applicability
1.1 These Terms & Conditions apply to all visitors, ticket purchasers, participants in events and programmes, members, and users of services or rented spaces at EFM.
1.2 By purchasing a ticket, visiting the museum, attending an event, becoming a member, or renting a space, you agree to these Terms & Conditions and the House Rules of EFM.
1.3 The House Rules form an integral part of these Terms & Conditions and are available at the entrance and on the EFM website, are available to read here.
1.4 Unless otherwise agreed, these Terms & Conditions do not apply to special activities outside regular opening hours directed at non-regular visitors, such as private venue hire or catering functions. Separate terms govern those activities where applicable.
1.5 EFM reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions. The version in force at the time of use applies.
2. Definitions
In these Terms & Conditions, the following definitions apply:
- EFM/the Museum: Embassy of the Free Mind, including its management, curators, front-of-house staff, security personnel, and all other staff authorised to act on behalf of the organisation.
- Museum Complex: the entirety of spaces (indoor and outdoor) under the legal or managerial authority of EFM, including exhibition halls, event spaces, meeting rooms, the library, the café, the bookshop, the garden, storage areas, and any annexes.
- Visitor: any person who enters the museum complex or participates in any activity, whether or not a paid ticket is required.
- Ticket: proof of entry or participation in an activity.
- Services: visits, events, programmes, memberships, and rentals.
- House Rules: internal rules of conduct applicable on EFM premises.
- Prohibited Items: items as referred to in Article 4.6.
3. Tickets, Pricing, Entry
3.1 All information regarding prices, offers, and activities published by EFM is binding. EFM accepts responsibility for errors in its own information materials. EFM is not responsible for errors attributable to third parties.
3.2 Entry to the museum requires a valid ticket unless otherwise stated. Visitors must present their ticket upon request to any authorised member of staff.
3.3 Tickets are valid only for the date, time slot, and activity indicated. Tickets are personal and non-transferable unless otherwise stated.
3.4 Tickets are generally non-refundable and non-cancellable, except where EFM cancels or substantially modifies the activity, or where required by mandatory applicable law. If a visitor does not use a pre-purchased ticket, this is at their own risk and expense.
3.5 No right to a refund or other compensation arises in the event of loss or theft of a ticket before the visitor enters the museum complex.
3..6 EFM will refund the actual ticket price paid and reasonable documented travel costs exclusively where the visitor is required to leave the museum complex prematurely due to an unannounced emergency drill under the Working Conditions Act (Article 23 Arbowet), or in the event of an actual emergency requiring full or partial evacuation of the museum complex.
3.7 Rescheduling requests must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance and are subject to availability at EFM's sole discretion.
3.8 Tickets may not be resold or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from EFM. EFM may refuse entry to any person presenting a ticket not obtained from EFM or an authorised ticketing partner. Where EFM invalidates a ticket in violation of this provision, no right to a refund or other compensation arises.
3.9 Online ticket purchases & right of withdrawal
- Tickets and activity tickets may be purchased online via the EFM website. An agreement is concluded at the moment EFM sends a booking confirmation by email.
- Payment for online purchases is made via the payment methods offered on the EFM website at the time of purchase.
- Pursuant to Article 6:230p of the Dutch Civil Code, the statutory right of withdrawal under the Distance Selling Act does not apply to tickets for leisure activities (including museum entry, events, workshops, and tours) where a specific date or period of performance has been agreed. Accordingly, purchased tickets and activity tickets cannot be cancelled or returned on the basis of the right of withdrawal.
- For other digital products or services sold via the EFM website that do not relate to a specific performance date, a right of withdrawal of 14 days from receipt applies, unless EFM has obtained the visitor's explicit consent to begin performance within that period. To exercise this right, the visitor must submit a request via the EFM contact form, stating their order number. EFM will refund the purchase price within 30 days of receipt of a valid withdrawal request.
- All prices displayed to consumers on the EFM website are inclusive of VAT.
4.Conduct in the Museum Complex
4.1 During their visit, all visitors must comply with public order, good conduct, and the applicable norms of behaviour. Visitors must immediately follow all instructions given by identifiable EFM staff. If a visitor acts in breach of these norms or these Terms & Conditions, EFM may refuse further entry or remove them from the museum complex without any entitlement to a refund.
4.2 Parents and supervisors of children are at all times responsible and liable for the behaviour of the children in their care. Teachers and group supervisors are responsible and liable for the behaviour of their group members.
4.3 Grounds for refusal of entry or removal
EFM may refuse entry to, or remove from the museum complex, any visitor:
- whose ticket was not issued by EFM or an authorised partner;
- who is visibly under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or comparable substances;
- who is clearly disturbing or intending to disturb public order;
- whose face is not visible and who refuses to show their face upon request for security purposes;
- who violates these Terms & Conditions or the House Rules;
- who refuses to cooperate with a security check as referred to in Article 4.5.
In all such cases, no right to a refund of the ticket price or other costs arises.
4.4 The following are prohibited within the museum complex unless explicitly authorised by EFM: offering goods for sale; obstructing other visitors' movement or view; use of mobile phones or audio devices in a manner disturbing to others; bringing pets or animals (except certified guide dogs); smoking except in designated areas; bringing or consuming food and beverages in exhibition spaces; touching exhibited objects, display cases, lighting, or exhibition materials unless explicitly permitted.
4.5 Security checks
Where the general safety of persons or the collection reasonably requires it, an identifiable senior EFM staff member may request to inspect a visitor's hand luggage or bags upon entry or exit. A visitor who refuses to cooperate with such an inspection may be denied access to, or asked to leave, the museum complex, without any right to a refund.
4.6 Prohibited Items
The following items ("Prohibited Items") may not be brought into the museum complex:
- Firearms and weapons capable of projecting a projectile or causing injury or property damage, or items that appear capable of doing so;
- Sharp or pointed weapons and objects with cutting edges capable of causing injury or property damage;
- Blunt objects capable of causing injury;
- Explosive or flammable substances;
- Chemical or toxic substances;
- Bottles or containers with liquid;
- Any other item that, in the reasonable judgement of EFM staff, poses a risk to the safety of persons or the collection.
Where Prohibited Items are found during a security check, EFM may confiscate them. A visitor who refuses to surrender Prohibited Items will be denied access to the museum complex and has no right to a refund of the ticket price.
Items that are subject to a statutory prohibition will be handed over to the police. A visitor carrying such items may be detained and transferred to the police.
4.7 CCTV & Security surveillance
CCTV surveillance is in operation throughout the museum complex. Footage is retained for a reasonable period in accordance with applicable data protection law (GDPR). Where EFM has reason to do so, footage may be made available to the police or other competent authorities.
4.8 Permanent or temporary exclusion
EFM may permanently or temporarily deny access to a visitor who has previously intentionally damaged an object in any museum complex in the Netherlands, or who gives reason to fear such damage. EFM may in any event subject such a visitor to a security check as referred to in Article 4.5 during all visits. Any decision to exclude a visitor will be communicated promptly and with reasons, in writing where possible.
4.9 Compliance with government regulations
EFM at all times complies with regulations and instructions issued or imposed by government authorities. Visitors are required to observe such regulations during their visit to the museum complex, as communicated by EFM.
5. Events & Programmes
5.1 Participation in events, workshops, and tours may require prior registration.
5.2 EFM reserves the right to modify programmes, schedules, speakers, or content where necessary for organisational, safety, or operational reasons. No right to compensation arises from such changes.
5.3 If an event is cancelled by EFM, participants will be offered a refund or an alternative date.
6. Venue Hire
6.1 Rental of spaces at EFM is subject to separate Venue Hire Terms & Conditions,
6.2 Organisations, companies, and individuals that organise events or gatherings in the museum complex are at all times responsible and liable for the behaviour of and any damage caused by their guests. Such organisers shall indemnify EFM against any claims by third parties arising therefrom.
7. Memberships
7.1 Memberships are personal, non-refundable and non-transferable. Membership benefits and tiers are described on the EFM website. Memberships are valid for the period purchased.
8. Photography, Media & Intellectual Property
8.1 Photography for personal, non-commercial use is generally permitted unless otherwise indicated. The use of flash, lighting equipment, tripods, or selfie sticks requires prior written permission from EFM management.
8.2 Professional photography, filming, or recording of any kind requires prior written permission from EFM management.
8.3 Publication, reproduction, or distribution of any professional photo, video, or film recording made in the museum complex, in any form and by any medium, is prohibited without prior written permission from EFM management.
8.4 EFM may capture photo and video material for documentation and promotional purposes. Visitors who do not wish to appear may inform staff where reasonably possible.
8.5 All intellectual property rights relating to the EFM collection, exhibitions, texts, images, and other content remain the property of EFM or its licensors. No material may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written consent from EFM.
9. Safety, Liability & Insurance
9.1 EFM takes reasonable measures to ensure a safe environment for all visitors and staff.
9.2 Visitors enter the museum complex and make use of EFM's services at their own risk and expense.
9.3 EFM is exclusively liable for damage suffered by a visitor where and to the extent that such damage is the direct and exclusive result of gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of EFM or its employees. Any claim against EFM is in all cases limited to the damage against which EFM is insured, or against which EFM could reasonably and fairly have been expected to be insured. This amount shall in no case exceed the lower of the following two amounts:
- the amount paid out by EFM's insurer in respect of that individual loss event; or
- the amount paid to EFM by a third party in respect of that individual loss event.
9.4 EFM is not liable for damage to visitors' vehicles, except where such damage occurs on or in the museum complex and is the direct result of wilful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of EFM or its employees.
9.5 Where EFM takes receipt of personal belongings, or where belongings are deposited or left anywhere on the premises without EFM receiving consideration for their safekeeping, EFM is not liable for any loss, theft, or damage to such belongings, except in cases of wilful misconduct or gross negligence by EFM.
9.6 In the event of damage resulting in death or bodily injury, EFM's total liability shall in no case exceed the damage against which EFM is insured or could reasonably and fairly have been expected to be insured. EFM is not liable for indirect or consequential damage, including loss of profit or income, missed savings, or similar losses, nor for damage caused by the actions of third parties, including other visitors, nor for damage arising from a visitor's failure to follow instructions given by EFM or its staff.
9.7 Visitors are strongly advised to arrange appropriate personal insurance coverage prior to their visit.
10.Liability of Visitors
10.1 A visitor is liable to EFM for all damage they cause, whether or not as a result of non-compliance with these Terms & Conditions. The visitor shall indemnify EFM against any claims by third parties in this regard.
10.2 Parents and supervisors of children are at all times responsible and liable for damage caused by the minors in their care. Teachers and group supervisors are jointly responsible and liable for damage caused by the group members they supervise. Such parents, supervisors, and teachers shall indemnify EFM against any third-party claims arising therefrom.
10.3 Organisations and companies organising events or gatherings in the museum complex are at all times responsible and liable for any damage caused by their guests. Such organisers shall indemnify EFM against any third-party claims arising therefrom.
11. Digital Services & Data Processing
11.1 EFM may use third-party service providers for ticketing, registration, membership administration, and communication. Appropriate data processing agreements are in place as required by applicable law.
11.2 Personal data is processed only to the extent necessary for the relevant services and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation (GDPR) and EFM's Privacy Policy, available on the EFM website.
11.3 EFM processes the personal data of individuals who cause damage to the museum complex or the collection, and of individuals who violate these Terms & Conditions, for the purpose of enforcing access restrictions. This register is used internally only and is not shared with third parties.
11.4 EFM processes the personal data of complainants solely for the purpose of handling complaints, and retains such data only for as long as necessary for that purpose.
12. Complaints
12.1 EFM will make every effort to ensure that visits, exhibitions, and activities proceed as described and published.
12.2 No right to compensation arises from the following circumstances: objects from the permanent collection not being on display; partial closure of the museum complex including during installation of exhibitions; nuisance caused by other visitors; nuisance caused by maintenance works or renovation; facilities not functioning as expected; refusal of access to the museum complex; or loss of a ticket.
12.3 Complaints must be submitted in writing within six weeks time after the visit or service, preferably within 14 days, via our official contact form. Complaints submitted after this period will not be considered.
12.4 EFM will investigate the complaint and respond in writing within 30 days of receipt. If the investigation is not completed within that period, EFM will notify the complainant and indicate the expected date of resolution.
13. Lost Property
13.1 Items found in the museum complex may be handed in at the front desk or to any EFM staff member.
13.2 EFM will make reasonable efforts to identify and contact the owner of found property. Found items that remain unclaimed after six months may be disposed of, donated, recycled, or otherwise handled at EFM's discretion.
13.3 The owner or rightful claimant may collect the item in person or request it be sent to them at their expense by courier with payment on delivery. Valid identification must be provided in both cases.
14. Force Majeure
14.1 EFM is not liable for any failure to perform its obligations due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to government measures, illness of key personnel, fire, technical failures, strikes, extreme weather, civil unrest, or other unforeseeable events.
14.2 Force majeure also includes unforeseen circumstances affecting third parties whose services EFM relies upon to fulfil its obligations.
14.3 In such cases, EFM may reschedule or cancel services. Liability is limited to a refund of the amount paid where applicable.
15.Applicable Law, Disputes & Registration
15.1 These Terms & Conditions and the agreement between EFM and the visitor are governed by Dutch law.
15.2 Any disputes arising from or in connection with this agreement shall be submitted to the competent court in Amsterdam, unless mandatory consumer protection law provides otherwise.
15.3 These Terms & Conditions have been deposited with the Chamber of Commerce 62973223 in Amsterdam. A copy is available free of charge at EFM and via the EFM website at efm.nl.
Director of Embassy of the Free Mind: Jozef Ritman, Sophie Hutten
Date of establishment: 03/06/2026
Deposited with the Chamber of Commerce on: 11/06/2026 under number 62973223