Applying for Dutch citizenship by naturalisation in the Netherlands

The conditions for satisfying naturalisation include:

• You are aged 18 or over.
• You have resided in the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius or Saba for five years prior to the application without interruptions and on the basis of a valid residence permit.
• You have integrated in the Dutch society.
• There is no objection to your permanent residence in the Netherlands.
• You are not a threat to the public order, public morals, and the national security of the Netherlands.

There are exceptions to the period of five years. For more information go to the website of the IND.

Children under the age of 16 can only be naturalised together with their parents. The conditions for this include:

• Your children reside in the Netherlands at the time of the application.
• Your children have an open-term residence permit or a fixed-term permit for a non-temporary objective.

Is your child aged 16 or 17? Then your child must have resided in the Netherlands for at least three years prior to the application in an uninterrupted and legal manner.

If you meet the conditions, you can make an appointment for your naturalisation application via (+31)114-389000.

You pay a fee for this service. For more information, contact the municipality via (+31)114-389000.

• The municipality assesses whether you meet all conditions for naturalisation and provides the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) with advice. The municipality sends your file to the IND.
• The IND checks whether you meet all conditions and takes a decision. The IND must take a decision within 12 months. If you have any questions about the application in the meantime, you can contact the IND.
• You officially become a Dutch citizen only after the naturalisation ceremony.
• You can apply for a Dutch travel document 1 week after the naturalisation ceremony.