Become a Dutch citizen through naturalization

You can apply for naturalization if one of the following situations applies to you:

1. You live in the Netherlands with a residence permit.
2. You live in the Netherlands as a Union citizen. A Union citizen is a person who has citizenship of a country belonging to the EU, EEA or Switzerland. You don't need a residence permit. Did your country of citizenship become a member of the EU while you were already living in the Netherlands? Then you must have a residence permit that covers the years when your country was not yet a member of the EU.
3. You live abroad. Or you live in the Caribbean of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with a residence permit. The Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten. And 3 special municipalities: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.

Naturalization conditions

These conditions apply to naturalization:

• You are 18 years of age or older.
• You can prove your identity and nationality with valid documents.
• You have lived continuously for 5 years or more with a valid residence permit in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. You have always renewed your residence permit on time. In some cases, you can apply for naturalization earlier.
• When applying for naturalization, you must have one of the following residence permits:

– permanent residence permit for asylum or ordinary for an indefinite period;

– residence permit for a long-term EU resident;

– temporary residence permit for a non-urgent purpose of residence. Read what purposes of residence are not temporary if you want to become a Dutch citizen;

– a document confirming residence as a family member of a Union citizen (except for residence with a minor Dutch child);

– you have a residence under EU law because you are a citizen of an EU, EEA or Swiss country.

 

• You have a valid residence permit on the date of the naturalization ceremony. Or you still have a valid right of residence under EU law. With a naturalization ceremony, the municipality will mark with you that you have received Dutch citizenship.
• You have passed the civic integration exam. Or you are exempted from the civic integration exam because you already have a good enough ability to read, write, speak and understand Dutch.
• You are not a threat to public order or the national security of the Kingdom.
• You must give up the citizenship you hold. Or there is an exception for you. Before applying for naturalization, read whether you need to opt out and what it means.
• You must be willing to declare solidarity during your naturalization ceremony. In your declaration of solidarity, you declare that you know that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands also apply to you.

Applying for naturalization in the municipality

You can apply for naturalization in the municipality where you live. First, an employee of the municipality will discuss with you all the conditions for filing and check that all documents are present. The municipality will then schedule a new appointment for you.

Filling out the questionnaire in the municipality

In the municipality, you fill out the questionnaire with the municipal employee, and also fill out the following forms:

• Statement of commitment to the Netherlands. In the application you confirm that you know that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will apply to you.
• Renunciation of the existing citizenship (if you need to do this).
• Exemption from renunciation of citizenship if you are eligible.

You can familiarize yourself with the cost of naturalization services at link.

 

Joint naturalization of children

Do you have children under the age of 18? And you also want to apply for naturalization for them? Notify the municipality about it. After that, your children will be added to the naturalization application. Children 12 and older must be present when applying at the municipality.
Is your child 16 or 17 years old? In this case, your child must inform you if he wishes to become a Dutch citizen.

Solution for your application

The IND has 12 months to decide on your naturalization application. This period is called the decision-making period. This term is spelled out in the law. You will receive a letter stating the date by which you will receive a decision on your application. The naturalization application decision period begins after you have paid the application costs.

Positive or negative decision

You will receive the decision in a letter after the IND has reviewed your application. The decision can be positive or negative.

• Affirmative decision: The IND claims that you become a Dutch citizen.
• Negative decision: you will not receive Dutch citizenship. The decision indicates why not.

If you did, you have 6 weeks to challenge this decision and file an appeal with the IND.