These terms and conditions are effective from September 2025. Subject to change without prior notice. Please refer to the latest version on
our website.
By purchasing a course, a membership or by registering for an exam at the Alliance Française Amsterdam, you agree to abide by the following
terms and conditions.
In the following document, the Alliance Française Amsterdam is referred to as Alliance Française Amsterdam, AF Amsterdam or AFA
indistinctively.
All time references are based on the Amsterdam time zone (Central European Time, UTC+1 / UTC+2 during daylight saving time).
The Dutch version of these Terms and Conditions is provided for informational purposes only. In case of any inconsistency or ambiguity, the
English version shall be considered the official and binding version.
REGISTRATION
Adult group course
A minimum age of 18 years is required for the French and Dutch group courses. However, a person between 16 and 18 years of age may enroll in
the course provided a parent or guardian (the person signing this form) is aware of it, and the Alliance Française Amsterdam deems the
student mature enough to follow an adult course.
It is mandatory to either purchase a membership or already be a member of the Alliance Française Amsterdam to sign up for an adult group
course from the age of 16 (see dedicated article below for further details).
When registering for a course, students pay:
The course fee;
Access to the course’s online learning platform for the duration of the course.
The purchase of textbooks and activity books used during the courses, if any, is the responsibility of the students.
Admission to a certain level is left to the judgment of our teachers and the outcome of the placement test. The Alliance Française
Amsterdam placement test is valid for 3 months from the date of the test. Beyond this period, a new placement test will be necessary to
assess the student's level.
We strongly recommend that new students take an oral level test in addition to the written level test available on our site. Without this
oral test, the AFA cannot be held liable if the course in which the student is registered does not correspond to their level. If this is the
case, the student must inform the teacher as well as the pedagogical coordinator (pedagogie@afamsterdam.nl)
in order to be able to be transferred to another group.
Children group course
Children enrolled in French courses and activities must be enrolled by a parent or guardian, who must provide all information requested
about the children.
When registering children for a course, parents pay:
The course fee;
The textbooks and activity books used during the course if requested by AFA (please note that the books
are non-refundable).
We recommend that parents contemplating registering their child to a course have a conversation with the pedagogical coordinator before
registration in order to make sure that the course is the right one for the student. AFA cannot be held liable if the course in which the
student is registered does not correspond to their level. If this is the case, the parents must inform the teacher as well as the
pedagogical coordinator (pedagogie@afamsterdam.nl) in order to be able to transfer the student to another group.
Private course
When registering for a private course, the invoice can be composed of:
The course fee;
The textbooks and activity books used during the course, if required (please note that the books are
non-refundable);
The fee for classroom rental if the lessons take place at OBA Oosterdok;
The fee for travel expenses if the lessons take place in another location.
Exam
When registering for an exam, students must provide all requested information within the given deadlines. A registration is not complete
unless payment has been received.
RE-REGISTRATION
At the end of every course, a final test is offered to the students. Its result will determine whether a student can join the next level or
not. If the student decides not to take the test, access to the next level will depend on the teacher’s approval.
Re-registration to the next level is not automatic, unless a written request has been received 2 weeks before the start of the next
session.
A place in the next level group is not guaranteed.
REFUSAL OF REGISTRATION & EXCLUSION
The Alliance Française Amsterdam reserves the right to refuse registration to any course (including renewal of a course), activity or event,
especially in case of inappropriate behavior by the student or participant.
For after-school activities
The Alliance Française Amsterdam may decide to exclude a child in case of inappropriate or disruptive behavior reported by the teacher. No
refund will then be considered. Exclusion may be decided by the activity leader in consultation with the Alliance française Amsterdam after
having notified the parents. 3 warnings will previously be given to the parents before possible exclusion.
PAYMENT
Students can pay by credit card, by PIN or bank transfer. Payments in instalments are not accepted. Cash payments may be accepted on
an exceptional basis, at the discretion of the AFA.
Group course (adults and children)
Participants in a group course will not be admitted to the class if they have not paid the tuition fees at least forty-eight (48) hours
(2 working days) prior to the start date of the course.
Even if a student joins after the start of a group course and has missed lessons, the full course fee is to be paid before the student joins
the course.
Private course
No lesson will be held if the payment is not received at least forty-eight (48) hours (2 working days) prior to the scheduled
lesson time.
Exam
Participants in an exam will not be admitted to the exam if they have not paid the tuition fees at least one (1) week prior to the
date of the exam.
TARDINESS, ABSENCES & CANCELLATIONS
Course opening
A course opens once a minimum of 4 participants has been reached. With less than 4 participants, the Alliance Française Amsterdam reserves
the right to cancel the course or postpone up to two lessons before cancelling the class, and to offer other solutions to the participants.
Cancellation of registration to a course by a student
Students have a 14-day cooling-off period as of the date of purchase to request the cancellation of their registration and the
refund of the tuition fees. This request must be made by email to pedagogie@afamsterdam.nl.
Once the 14-day cooling-off period has passed, no refund of the tuition fees is possible if the student cannot be present at
the courses or exam or if they cancel their registration, for whatever reason.
In case of registration within the 14 days before the first lesson of the course, or once the course has started, the cooling-off
period does not apply.
For children courses, cancellations must be made by their parent/s or guardian/s.
Cancellation of a lesson by AF Amsterdam
In the event of Alliance Française Amsterdam experiencing problems at the time of a scheduled lesson and being unable to provide regular
services, arrangements will be made for another lesson at the earliest convenience of both students and teachers. Alternatively, a refund or
credit note for future lessons will be arranged.
Cancellation of a lesson by a teacher
If the teacher is absent, the Alliance Française Amsterdam is committed to guaranteeing continuity of service. If the circumstances do not
allow the replacement of the absent teacher, classes will be postponed to a later date.
In the event of cancellation, the students will be notified by phone or e-mail.
Tuition fees for cancelled courses will be available as a credit on the Alliance Française website or can be refunded in full within four
weeks upon request.
Cancellation of a lesson by a student
If a student from an adult group course misses a lesson, they will not be able to catch up for the lesson in another group nor will the
lesson be refunded. However, content of the class and homework will be sent / made available online for the student to catch up.
For private courses, failure to notify Alliance Française Amsterdam of a lesson cancellation prior to forty-eight (48) hours (2 working
days) before the scheduled lesson
time
will result in the full fee being charged for the lesson. All cancellation must be notified by email at pedagogie@afamsterdam.nl.
For shared private tuition amongst multiple students, no split of credit will be possible once the tuition has been organized and paid. The
Alliance Française Amsterdam will not be held liable for students’ changes in work commitments or personal circumstances when one student
cannot attend the group course anymore.
Private classes start and finish at the time agreed between the tutor and the student. If a student arrives late to a private lesson, the
tutor may not be able to teach longer than the initial agreed time. If a student is running late, we kindly request they inform the
Alliance Française Amsterdam . In case of special circumstances or when a lesson is missed for medical reasons, a partial credit note can
be organized at the discretion of the Alliance Française Amsterdam upon providing supporting documentation.
Cancellation and refund for after-school activities
Cancellation and partial refund of the tuition fees may only be considered if the child leaves the school due to moving. The partial refund
is calculated pro rata temporis, from the first school holidays following the family’s move. Administrative fees of €30, - will be charged.
Cancelling attendance at after-school activities for any other reason, or in case of exclusion, is not eligible for a refund. If, for public
health reasons, the school is unable to maintain the after-school activities in person, the activities continue online.
Requests for refund or credit
All applications for a credit note or refund must be addressed by email at pedagogie@afamsterdam.nl.
Credits are valid for use during the on-going academic year (September–July). After this period, they will be cashed out or considered
expired. Credits made available on students accounts on AFA’s website can be can used on any activity or product from the cultural program
and webshop.
Some credits may be refundable, and this will be specified by email. In order to ask for a refund, students have to send their IBAN to bonjour@afamsterdam.nl.
Unclaimed credit will be cashed out after 12 months.
Tuition fees for cancelled courses may be refunded within four weeks upon written request by email.
For all cancellations, administration fees of €30, - are charged.
SUPPLIES REQUIRED
For some after-school activities, parents may be asked to provide supplies for individual use (drawing book, pencil case, etc.). Other
supplies will be provided by the Alliance Française Amsterdam or the school for use by the group (paint, etc.).
ONLINE COURSES
You are responsible for installing and setting up the required software/app on your computer.
You are responsible for ensuring that you have a working high speed internet connection, headset and microphone for your lesson.
MEMBERSHIP
AFA’s membership runs for a year after the date of purchase.
It is mandatory to be a member to register for a course, either by purchasing a membership beforehand or by purchasing a membership at the
same time than a course.
No membership is required for children under 16 years of age and for corporate courses.
Upon purchase, the member will receive a membership card within 72 hours (3 working days) in the form of a .pdf file by email.
All advantages of the membership are listed on the website of AFA
and are subject to change without prior notice. It is the member’s responsibility to check the advantages up to date. To benefit from the
advantages they are entitled to, members are required to show their digital membership card to the relevant institution/shop.
CONDITIONS FOR OUR EVENTS
Pauses café / apéros conversation, séances de cinéma, cercles de lecture
Online registrations are mandatory to take part in an event.
If you cannot attend the event, AFA kindly asks you to send an email to comm@afamsterdam.nl no
later than 24h before the start of the event
to obtain a credit equivalent to the registration fee. If you cancel within the 24h prior to the event, you will not be entitled to a
refund.
Special cultural events, such as stand up or concerts
Tickets for special cultural events cannot be refunded.
PORTRAIT RIGHT
During the courses, we may take pictures of you, which will be used for publicity purposes on our website and/or in our brochures or social
media. Should you have any objection, please inform AFA in writing before the start of the course.
PROPERTY RIGHT
The copyright and ownership of the teaching material belong to the author. The material may not be reproduced, stored in a digital database
or made public, except for personal use by the student enrolled in a course with AFA.
PRIVACY RIGHT
All information provided by participants are confidential and will not be disclosed by AF Amsterdam.
CLAIMS MANAGEMENT
Any claim must be formalized and sent to the direction via bonjour@afamsterdam.nl. The director
or their representative will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within a maximum of forty-eight (48) hours (2 working days) and will reply
within a maximum of two (2) weeks. Should a request require more time to be handled, then the person concerned will be informed by email.
All complaints will be dealt with confidentially. We register and keep records of any complaint for a duration of one year. In the event of
litigation between parties involved, an independent external third-party (Resolute mediation BV) can be called upon. Decision of the
mediator will be final and binding for AFA, which is to promptly take any measures required.
UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES
In the event of force majeure — including, but not limited to, natural disasters, war, strikes, epidemics, or government-imposed
restrictions — the institution shall not be obliged to provide refunds or compensation for any resulting cancellations or disruptions beyond
its reasonable control.
AFA will endeavor at its best to offer alternative online solutions if courses are delayed or interrupted by reason of such force majeure as
listed above.
