Members of the military and police selling NATO Summit memorabilia online
Memorabilia from the recent NATO summit in The Hague, including military shoulder patches and rare police armbands, are being sold in large numbers on online marketplaces, AD reported.
“The armbands were intended for one-time use,” a Defense Ministry spokesperson said. “Many were turned back in, but some undoubtedly went home with officers. We don’t monitor what happens to them afterward.”
The most sought-after item is the NATO shoulder patch labeled “NATO Summit 2025,” featuring the NATO star in two shades of blue. The Ministry of Defense stated that approximately 10,500 patches were produced and distributed to service members assigned to the summit’s security operation.
Roughly 5,000 were issued to Royal Marechaussee personnel, while the remaining 5,500 went to members of the army, navy, and air force, who also received smaller chest patches intended for ceremonial uniforms.
Listings for the patches range from a few dozen euros to as much as 150 euros, with sellers spread across the country, from Zeeland to Limburg.
“I’m getting rid of the patch because otherwise it’ll just end up in a drawer, and I won’t do anything with it,” said one service member offering it for 40 euros, excluding shipping. Another described the patch as the culmination of more than 30 years of service.
Since the patches were not considered official equipment and were distributed as gifts, their sale is permitted. “Once they’re issued, they become personal property. We haven’t said that you can’t give them away or sell them,” the spokesperson said. By contrast, other gear, such as helmets and tactical vests, is strictly regulated and cannot legally be sold.
Police memorabilia is harder to obtain. The blue-and-orange reflective armband marked “Police NATO Summit” was issued to about 25,000 uniformed officers who secured venues including the World Forum, hotels in The Hague, event sites in Rotterdam, and Schiphol Airport. According to a police spokesperson, the armband was designed to increase visibility and serve as an added security measure. Officers in uniform who were not wearing it could be stopped and questioned.
Although the sale of official police clothing is typically prohibited because it could be used to impersonate law enforcement, the NATO armbands fall outside the usual restrictions because they were made specifically for the summit.
Jim Kreunen, proprietor of the online platform Militaria Plaza, said he was not surprised by the surge in listings. “I don’t blame the soldiers for selling them at all,” he told AD. “Collectors often offer a lot of money right after an event like this.”
Currently, the patches are selling for around 50 euros, but Kreunen predicts prices will soon decline. “Eventually, they’ll go for maybe 10 euros,” he said. “Fifty or sixty years from now, though, they might gain value, especially if this summit ends up being remembered as a turning point in NATO’s military history.”
