Nitrous oxide at festivals and in Amsterdam nightlife

The rules

• National ban: since 1 January 2023, possessing, selling or transporting nitrous oxide for recreational use is illegal — on festival grounds and in clubs too. See Dutch law.
• Amsterdam: event permits have explicitly banned its sale since 2019, the city council banned sales in bars and at events in 2021, and the city’s bylaws prohibit using it.
• Balloons are not a grey area: selling or handing them out breaks the Opium Act.

What happens if you’re caught?

According to the Public Prosecution Service, one charger or one balloon counts as a personal-use quantity, which a first-time offender must give up. Larger amounts lead to a fine or community service; selling or dealing carries heavier penalties. Organisers may also apply their own house rules.

Why it’s riskier in a crowd

• Near-loss of consciousness can make you fall or get hurt in a packed venue.
• There is no safe limit: even one balloon can cause tingling, according to the RIVM. See health risks.
• Large tanks increase the risks and can cause frostbite. See disposable tanks.

If a friend feels unwell

1. 01

   Stay with them

   Don’t leave someone who feels unwell alone; give them space and fresh air.

2. 02

   Get help

   Go to the first-aid post or ask security. If someone is unconscious, struggling to breathe or injured, call 112 straight away.

3. 03

   Be honest about what was used

   Paramedics need to know to help properly.

Getting home

Driving ability is probably reduced for at least the first hour after use, and Dutch law prohibits driving under the influence of a substance that can impair it. Take public transport or ride with someone who hasn’t used anything.

How common is it still?

Less and less. Among Dutch nightlife-goers aged 16 to 35, past-year use fell from 35.2% in 2020 to 15.0% in 2023, and most say they hardly see it in nightlife any more (RIVM, March 2026).