Applying for Dutch citizenship by naturalisation in the Netherlands

General conditions for naturalization You can submit a naturalization request if you meet all of the following conditions: You are 18 years or older. Or, if you are under 18, you are married or have been married. In principle, you must renounce your current nationality. You have a valid residence permit. This can be a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of residence (such as family reunification or paid employment). You are integrated in the Netherlands. You are integrated if you have successfully completed the compulsory civic integration exam(link is external)(link is external). This means that you must be able to read and write and have conversations in the Dutch language. You must have completed these components at level A2. Other diplomas can also serve as proof of integration (check with the municipality about which these are). You must also be included in Dutch society. This means, among other things, that you may only be married to 1 person at a time. Good behaviour. There are no serious suspicions that you endanger public order, morality, public health or the safety of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten). Declaration of commitment. When applying for naturalization, you must complete a form in which you declare that you wish to make the declaration of solidarity. This does not apply to children under the age of 16. You have been living continuously and legally in the Netherlands or one of the islands of the former Netherlands Antilles for at least 5 years. There are some exceptions to this rule (see below). Exceptions to the period of stay In the following cases, a period other than 5 years applies: Partners of Dutch people. If you have been married and/or living together in the Netherlands with the same Dutch partner for at least 3 years, you can submit a request for naturalization. In the case of a marriage, the cohabitation may also have taken place abroad. Former Dutchmen. If you had Dutch nationality and lost it, there is no requirement to have lived in the Netherlands for a certain period. You can submit your request from abroad. In some cases you can use the option procedure.

Take Your valid residence permit. Your valid passport. An original copy of your birth certificate (legalized and/or verified if necessary) in Dutch, English, French or German. Or the original deed translated into Dutch. Bring the translation and the original document with you. If you are married, an original copy of your marriage certificate (legalized and/or verified if necessary) in Dutch, English, French or German. Or the original deed translated into Dutch. Bring the translation and the original document with you. If you are not married, but have been living together with a Dutch partner for 3 years or longer: a document with which you can prove this. A certificate as proof that you have successfully completed the civic integration exam, or another Dutch diploma. NB! You do not need to submit an original copy of your birth certificate, and if applicable an original copy of your marriage certificate, if you are already registered with the municipality in the municipal personal records database (GBA) and you have already submitted the documents during this registration. We request that you inform in advance whether you need to submit any documents. It may happen that, for example, a birth or a marriage is registered on the basis of documents that do not meet the requirements as they currently apply (for example a Polish deed that was not translated or a legalized document that does not contain a questionnaire).

What does it cost naturalization of adult with regular residence permit € 945.00 naturalization of adulthood for stateless persons or asylum permit €703.00 naturalization couple/registered partners with regular residence permit € 1,206.00 naturalization couple/registered partners for stateless persons or asylum permit € 965.00 co-granting of a minor child € 139.00 Options option single € 200.00 option common € 342.00 option co-opting minor € 22.00 (rates 2022)

• 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.