NetherlandsWorldwide

How do I regain my Dutch nationality?

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If you live outside the Netherlands and have lost your Dutch nationality, you can regain it in two ways: via the option procedure or by naturalisation.

Proportionality check through the option procedure

If you lost your Dutch nationality on or after 1 November 1993 and are not a national of another EU country, then you also lost the rights you had as an EU citizen. Such as the right to travel freely between EU countries.

If you needed EU rights at the time you lost your Dutch nationality, for example, to travel for your work, the Dutch state may be able to undo the loss of your Dutch nationality. First, a proportionality check must be carried out to determine whether you are eligible.

You will need to prove that the loss of your EU citizenship was extremely detrimental to you at the time that you lost your Dutch nationality. You will need official documents to prove that, at that time, you had ties with an EU country other than the Netherlands. General plans for the future are not proof. A proportionality check can be carried out through the option procedure.

Am I eligible for a proportionality check?

Answer the questions in the list ‘Have I lost my Dutch nationality?’ to see whether you are eligible for a proportionality check. If you are, the message telling you so will also explain how the option procedure works and what documents you need.

Have I lost my Dutch nationality?

Naturalisation

If you are not eligible for either the option procedure, you may be able to regain your Dutch nationality through naturalisation. 

Find out more about naturalisation abroad

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.