Cookie statement NS.nl
At NS Group N.V., we utilize cookies and similar technologies on our website and emails. Cookies are small text files stored on your computer, phone, or tablet. This allows us to recognize you during subsequent visits and, for example, remember your login details and language preferences. This helps us serve you faster and better.
In addition to cookies, we also use other techniques such as tracking pixels, web beacons, JavaScript, and third-party software development kits (SDKs). These techniques collect additional data about your usage of our website and emails. Because they operate similarly, we collectively refer to them as ‘cookies.’
Do you have questions about how we handle your data? We explain this in more detail below.
Do you prefer no cookies? Or do you want to change your cookie settings? You control which cookies you enable, except for functional and limited analytical cookies. Functional cookies ensure our website works properly and cannot be disabled. Note: changes you make on our website do not automatically apply to the app; cookies there are set separately.
Last modified: March 11, 2026, 5:00 AM
Partner Cookies
Our partners also place cookies through our website. These collect data about your clicking and search behavior. This enables us to show you personalized recommendations and advertisements, also outside ns.nl. These partners also use your data for their own purposes. Want to know how they do this? See the privacy and cookie policies of the respective companies. Below is a list of these companies and links to their policies.
- DoubleClick
- Google AdSense
- Meta (Facebook)
- Microsoft Clarity
- Microsoft Ads
- Snapchat
- TikTok
- YouTube
What do we use cookies for?
We use cookies for various purposes. We explain the techniques used per purpose. Sometimes a new technique is added that is not yet listed, but we do our best to keep everything updated.
Functional Cookies
Functional cookies ensure our website functions properly and remember your settings. These cookies do not require your consent. We process minimal information for a limited period to protect your privacy. Examples of usage:
- Remembering products in your shopping cart;
- Storing data you enter during login or ordering so you don’t have to re-enter it;
- Saving your preferences such as language and cookie settings;
- Securing our website and identifying issues;
- Balancing website load to maintain functionality and availability;
- Detecting bugs and errors;
- Saving browser settings for optimal display.
These cookies are essential for smooth and secure use of our services.
Limited Analytical Cookies
We use limited analytical cookies to understand how our websites, apps, and emails are used. This helps us know what works well and what can be improved. Data collected via these cookies cannot be directly attributed to you or has minimal privacy impact. Limited analytical cookies are always active. Examples include:
- Measuring visitor numbers, duration, and page views to enhance usability and detect technical issues.
- Conducting A/B tests to compare different website, app, or email versions.
- Tracking which ads result in purchases so affiliate partners can earn commissions. We also display ads and links of other organizations.
Advertisements from Third Parties on NS Channels
On our channels, we also show ads from other organizations (e.g., Booking.com). These ads are regionally targeted with privacy protection like masking part of your IP address, and are not personalized based on your clicking behavior or interests. We do not store personal data. Cookies track ad views and clicks for analytical purposes only.
Personal Data and Recommendations within Our Online Channels
You decide whether to enable cookies for personal data and recommendations. We only use these cookies, including third-party ones, with your explicit consent, allowing us to show you personalized information and recommendations.
NS collects data about how you access our emails and website, such as click behavior and visited pages. When possible, we combine this with your personal data from our customer systems, jointly for NS Domestic and International, provided you have consented across NS online channels. This applies if you have a Mijn NS or Mijn NS International account and are logged in. This data is used within NS customer systems to determine relevant information for you.
Personalization on Our Website, App, and Emails
We tailor content based on your usage, such as search queries, button clicks, and purchases of subscriptions or single tickets, to display relevant banners and messages.
Measuring Effectiveness
Using scripts on websites and apps, we assess which products and recommendations suit our travelers best, improving personalization and relevance continuously. In emails, a tracking pixel is used to measure opens and link clicks to determine relevant messaging, for example, newsletter reminders.
Relevant Advertisements Outside Our Online Channels
You choose if we may use cookies for relevant ads outside our online channels, only after prior consent. These cookies, placed also by our partners, collect data on your click and search behavior to show relevant ads.
NS collects data on your emails and website use and may combine this with your personal data in customer systems if you are logged in to Mijn NS. This helps us to exclude irrelevant ads, e.g., for travel products you already have.
Advertisements via Social Networks and Other Websites, Apps, and Platforms
We share info on relevant ads with 12 partners via their cookies that collect click and search data. With some partners (Meta and Google), we also share personal data (mobile device ID and hashed email). These partners show relevant ads on their platforms, apps, and websites. This includes social media platforms and ad networks like Meta, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit, Snapchat, Pinterest, and sites like Buienradar.nl and NU.nl. Ad networks determine ad delivery timing and use behavior and profile data for lookalike audiences, ensuring you don’t see irrelevant ads, e.g., after purchasing a travel product.
Effectiveness of Ads Outside NS Channels
NS shares data with partners about your website visits to measure advertising effectiveness on social media platforms and external websites/apps.
Privacy and Cookie Policies of NS Partners
Partners may use shared data also for their purposes and may link it to other data they have about you. They have their own privacy and cookie policies. The companies and how they use your data are listed in the ‘Partner Cookies’ section above.
Legal Basis for Processing: Consent.
Data Processed by NS and Partners Using Cookies
NS and partners process user data from your computer, mobile phone, or tablet using cookies and similar techniques, including:
- Browser, device, operating system, and screen resolution data; also origin country, language settings, and referrer URL;
- Unique codes linked to your device, browser, or network, such as (anonymized) IP addresses or hashed emails or user IDs;
- How you use our site or read emails, including page views, clicks, scrolling, searching, and purchases.
We only collect, share, or process your data as necessary for the purposes described in this statement. Depending on technical implementation, other data categories may be processed, which will be explained in those cases.
If you accept cookies for personal data, recommendations, or ads on social networks, we may link cookie data with other personal data you provide when logged into your Mijn NS account to tailor relevance.
Browser Settings
You can prevent websites from storing cookies on your device by adjusting your browser settings. You will receive a warning before cookies are placed. You can also choose to block all or only third-party cookies. Cookies already set can be deleted. Note these settings must be adjusted separately for each browser and device.
Be aware that refusing cookies may cause our website to malfunction; some features may not work or pages may not display. Ads will still be shown but not personalized and repeated more often.
Instructions for managing cookies vary by browser. See official browser help documentation or visit:
To block cookies from specific parties, visit youronlinechoices.com.
Changes to the Cookie Statement
We may update this statement as needed. Changes will be communicated via the NS app, newsletter, or website to keep you informed.
Data Retention
Cookies vary by type and function, with different retention periods on your devices (computer, phone, tablet). Retention times for individual cookies are listed in the accompanying cookie list.
Full Cookie List
The full list with all cookies we use can be found here, detailing purpose, retention, and category.
Contact
If you have questions or complaints about NS’s use of cookies, please contact: fg@ns.nl.