Visitors are welcome from 09:00 to 16:00 Monday through Friday, at no charge, at the Court’s Headquarters in The Hague, The Netherlands.
In preparation of your visit please consult our Rules of decorum and practical information page for directions, official holidays and our entry policy.
Visitors are welcome to attend hearings and explore the ICC Visitor Centre without prior registration. The Court also offers the possibility to be part of a guided visit with a specific programme.
High school groups are welcome to visit us to attend a hearing. The minimum age to attend the hearings is 16 years old.
Attend a hearing
Court hearings are generally open to the public and visitors can attend them without prior registration.
However, the number of seats for visitors in the public gallery is limited. Therefore, for hearings in which a high level of attendance is expected, please refer to the Media Advisory on the relevant case page, where specific accreditation procedures will be listed.
Also note that walk-in visitors will not be allowed to visit us on the following dates: 23, 24, 26 and 27 February due to a key judicial hearing.
The minimum age to attend the hearings is 16 years old.
Please check the Rules of decorum ahead of your visit as well as the Hearings schedule .
Normally hearings are held in three sessions (subject to last minute changes depending on the judicial process):
- 09:30 – 11:00
- 11:30 – 13:00
- 14:30 – 16:00
You may access and leave the Courtroom’s Public Gallery at any time without waiting for it to be on break.
Visitors Centre
Who seeks justice at the ICC? How does justice impact their lives? How does the ICC work? What is its history, mandate and legal process? What is it like to work for justice? How can I get involved?
Using our interactive multimedia guides, explore all this and more in the ICC Visitor Centre during your visit.
Guided Visits
If you wish for more, you may register for a guided visit and meet with staff members of the Court for a more in-depth presentation on the functioning of the ICC.
Information Visits
Information Visits are designed mainly for University students and the general public. The programme includes a presentation on the latest judicial developments of the Court, a visit to the Courtroom’s Public Gallery and the possibility to attend a hearing.
Stakeholders
Tailored working visits are organized for groups of State representatives, judges, prosecutors, civil society representatives and other stakeholders. A typical programme takes place from 09:30 to 12:00 or from 14:00 to 16:30 and includes meetings with representatives of the different Organs of the Court.
Access our Library
The ICC Library holds a unique collection of specialized materials in the areas of international criminal law and procedure and background literature of relevance to the mandate of the Court. The reading room is open to researchers and practitioners upon request only. Please read the requirements below carefully before registering and contact the Library at least 5 workings days in advance of your intended visit to the ICC.
Judicial Recess and Official Holidays of the Court
Spring
from Thursday 2 April (17:30)
until Monday 13 April (09:00)Summer
from Friday 24 July (17:30)
until Monday 17 August (09:00)Winter 2026/2027
from Friday 18 December 2026 (17:30)
until Monday 11 January 2027 (09:00)
2026
- 1 January - New Year's Day
- 20 March - Eid al-Fitr Day
- 3 April - Good Friday
- 6 April - Easter Monday
- 27 April - King's Day
- 14 May - Ascension Day
- 26 May - Eid al-Adha Day
- 21 September - Yom Kippur Day
- 25 December - Christmas Day
- 28 December - Boxing Day