DUTCH CITIZENSHIP

Naturalization, an option procedure, or birth to a Dutch father or mother are the three ways to acquire Dutch nationality.

The option procedure (optieprocedure)

If you have always resided in the Netherlands, either since birth or when you were a kid, or if you satisfy other criteria that make you eligible for the option procedure.

By law (by birth or family relations) (van rechtswege)

You may legally apply for Dutch citizenship if your parents are Dutch, whether they are your biological father or mother, whether they recognize your paternity, or if you were adopted by Dutch parents.

DUTCH CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION (naturalisatie)

If you have lived in the Netherlands continuously for five years and have completed the civic integration exam, you may be eligible for Dutch citizenship by naturalization. Those who have been married to a Dutch national for at least three years are one exemption from the five-year rule.

Requirements for Dutch citizenship

• You are older than the age of 18.
• You’ve resided lawfully for at least five continuous years in the Netherlands or the Dutch Caribbean (Bonaire, Saint Eustatius, Saba, Aruba, Curaçao, or Saint Martin)
• You have a current Dutch residency permit or a non-temporary residence permit.
• You are able to read, write, speak, and comprehend Dutch. You must have earned an A-2 on the Dutch Civic Integration Exam in order to demonstrate this. If you have already earned an equivalent diploma, such as the NT2 State Exam, you may be exempt from this requirement.
• In the last four years, you were not given a jail term, community service requirement, or fine of at least 810 euros.
• You’re ready to abandon your current citizenship. Your newly acquired Dutch citizenship could be canceled if you fail to comply.
• You must go to a citizenship ceremony and declare allegiance to the Netherlands there.

Dual nationality

Because the Netherlands frequently forbids dual nationality, foreigners acquiring Dutch citizenship frequently have to give up their original citizenship(ies) (afstand doen).

• if you are a registered partner or married to a Dutch citizen.
• if you cannot renounce your citizenship in your nation of origin.
• If the laws of your country of origin oblige you to renounce your current citizenship after acquiring Dutch citizenship
• if you have received official refugee status recognition.
• If giving up your citizenship in your country of origin requires you to pay a significant sum of money to the authorities there (proof required).
• whether you’ll lose certain rights in your nation of origin, such as inheritance rights (proof required).
• if you are still residing in the Netherlands or the Dutch Caribbean at the time you apply for Dutch citizenship.
• If contacting the authorities in your country of origin is not an option.
• if you have specific, justifiable reasons for losing your nationality.
• if the Netherlands does not recognize your nation of origin.

After obtaining Dutch citizenship, you will have to renounce your current nationality if none of the criteria mentioned apply to you. You will have to formally renounce your current citizenship by signing a declaration.

Documentation for Dutch citizenship application

• a passport or other acceptable travel paperwork
• your legal right to reside.
• your certificate of birth.
• your diploma or the Civic Integration Exam certificate
• you acknowledge that you are giving up your current citizenship.

Dutch citizen’s rights

Your status will change in the Basisregistratie Personen when you become a Dutch citizen (BRP). The following rights are yours once you become a Dutch citizen:

• the freedom to enter the Netherlands.
• getting a Dutch passport.
• the ability to run for office and vote in elections in Dutch national and local elections.
• the capability to join the Dutch military.
• your children are eligible for Dutch citizenship.
• automatic enrolment in the EU.
• the freedom to travel and abode anywhere within the European Union.
• Voting rights in the European Parliament.