NetherlandsWorldwide

How do I renounce my Dutch nationality if I live abroad?

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You can renounce your Dutch nationality by signing a declaration of renunciation at a Dutch embassy or consulate-general. Make an appointment to do this.

Attention: You can only renounce your Dutch nationality if you are 18 or over and have another nationality as well as Dutch.

If you live outside the Netherlands, make an appointment to sign a declaration of renunciation at a Dutch embassy or consulate-general.

Contact a Dutch embassy or consulate-general

What you need to bring to your appointment depends on your situation.

You should always bring:

  • All your valid passports and/or identity cards
  • Proof that you hold another nationality in addition to Dutch nationality

The embassy or consulate-general will inform you which other documents you should bring.

During your appointment, you will sign a declaration of renunciation. You will be given a copy.

Your declaration will be checked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. After this you will receive a confirmation of declaration to renounce Dutch nationality by email. This email will confirm that your signing the declaration has led to your losing Dutch nationality. This document shows that you are no longer a Dutch national.

The document will be forwarded to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service’s (IND) nationality register and saved there. You can contact the IND if you need a new copy.

Contact the IND

After you have renounced your Dutch nationality you will no longer be entitled to a Dutch passport. Your Dutch passport will no longer be valid and will be destroyed.

It will not be returned to you, even if it has been invalidated.

If you renounce your Dutch nationality, any children under the age of 18 will also lose their Dutch nationality.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. This includes situations in which one parent remains a Dutch national.

Read more about the exceptions for children aged under 18 on government.nl

There are no costs for renouncing your Dutch nationality.

Contact

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