Compensation and payment
What compensation can you expect when you take part in clinical trials?
When you take part in a clinical trial at ICON, you receive compensation for your participation as well as reimbursement for your travel expenses. In this blog, we explain step by step what you can expect.
When and what will I be reimbursed?
You complete the clinical trial
If you complete all parts of the clinical trial, including the follow-up visit, you will receive the full participation compensation as well as reimbursement of your travel expenses. Payment will be made within 30 days after your final visit.
You leave the clinical trial early
If you cannot or are not allowed to complete the clinical trial, your compensation will be calculated pro rata based on the part of the clinical trial you completed. You will also receive reimbursement of your travel expenses.
Reserve after arrival
If you are assigned as a reserve participant at the start of the clinical trial and are not called to participate, you will receive a reserve compensation.
The amount of this compensation varies per clinical trial and is stated in the Participant Information document. You will also receive reimbursement for your travel expenses.
Not selected before the start
It may happen that more participants are approved than there are places in the clinical trial group. If you are informed before arrival that you will not participate, you will receive within 30 days after the start of the group for which you were screened:
- compensation for the medical screening
- reimbursement of your travel expenses
Not eligible after arrival
At the start of the clinical trial, a shortened medical screening is conducted. It is possible that you may still be unable to participate based on this screening. For example, if:
- your latest blood results no longer meet the clinical trial criteria;
- you did not follow the dietary restrictions;
- you are ill.
In that case, you will receive within 30 days after the start of the group for which you were screened:
- compensation for being deemed not eligible after arrival
- reimbursement of your travel expenses
These amounts are also stated in the Participant Information document.
Not eligible after medical screening
If you cannot participate in the clinical trial based on the results of the medical screening, you will receive the following within 30 days after the start of the group for which you were screened:
- compensation for the medical screening
- reimbursement of your travel expenses
Please note: these reimbursements will not be paid if:
- you do not have a valid ID during the medical screening;
- blood or urine tests show that you have used drugs or alcohol;
- you have elevated nicotine levels in a non-smoking clinical trial.
Annual statement
You will receive an annual statement from ICON by post no later than February of the year following your participation. You will also receive this if you only received compensation for the medical screening. This applies only to participants from the Netherlands.
You will receive this document once. We recommend saving it digitally as well, for example as a photo or scan.
Compensation for participation at ICON is a gross amount and is considered taxable income by the tax authorities as “income from work.” The amount of tax you need to pay depends on your personal situation.
Important to know
- Interim payments during the clinical trial are not possible unless stated otherwise in the clinical trial information.
- Payments are always made by bank transfer to an account in your name.
- Travel expenses are calculated at €0.23 per kilometer:
- Minimum reimbursement: €14.23 per round trip
- Maximum reimbursement: €193.20 per round trip (840 km)
This applies regardless of your mode of transport.
- The level of compensation depends on:
- the duration of the clinical trial;
- any special medical procedures;
- the number of (follow-up) visits, which may take place long after your stay.
- Financial statements are sent weekly. It may happen that you receive the specification after the payment.
Read more about compensation here
Participants from the Netherlands
- Do you receive benefits? Contact your benefits agency in advance. Since compensation is considered income from work, it may affect your benefits.
- Compensation is paid as a gross amount. You must declare this amount yourself in your tax return as income. The amount of tax you owe depends on your personal situation.
In short: when you take part in a clinical trial at ICON, you always know what to expect. Whether you are eligible to participate or not, withdraw early, or complete the trial in full — in every situation it is clear what compensation you will receive and when it will be paid. This allows you to focus on your participation with peace of mind, while we ensure your compensation is handled carefully and transparently.
Your impact is greater than you think: by participating, you contribute to the development of new medicines and better treatments for the future.
