Applying for Dutch citizenship by naturalisation in the Netherlands

• You are of age (18 years or older);
• You have lived continuously for at least 5 years with a valid residence permit in the Netherlands, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Maarten or Sint Eustatius. When does the 5-year period not apply?;
  • You are married to or a registered partner of a Dutch national. In that case, you can submit an application after 3 years of marriage or registered partnership and uninterrupted cohabitation;
  • You have lived legally (with a valid residence permit) in the Netherlands for an uninterrupted period of 3 years with a Dutch man or woman (both unmarried);
  • You are a former Dutch national: you had Dutch nationality and lost it again. In some cases you can use the option procedure;
• You have always extended your residence permit on time. Your residence permit must also be valid during the procedure;
• Immediately prior to the application up to and including the naturalization ceremony, you have a residence permit for an indefinite period or for a definite period with a non-temporary purpose;
• You are sufficiently established. This means that you can read, write, speak and understand Dutch properly. You demonstrate this by submitting a Dutch diploma (e.g. secondary school) or a successfully completed civic integration exam;
• In the past 5 years, you have not served a prison sentence, completed a training or community service order or paid or imposed a high fine for a crime in the Netherlands or abroad. There is no criminal case for a crime against you;
• You are prepared to renounce your current nationality. There are some exceptions to this;
• You must make the declaration of solidarity.

Renunciation of your current nationality

If you become a Dutch national, you must renounce your current nationality. You must sign a statement for this when you apply. Sometimes an exception can be made. This depends, among other things, on the country of origin and your personal circumstances.

Integration

Information about integration and the procedure can be found on the website of the Education Executive Agency 

More information

On the IND website  you will find more information about the procedure to become a Dutch national.

Visit naturalization ceremony

Are you naturalized as a Dutch citizen? Then you will receive an invitation from the municipality for the naturalization ceremony. You only become a Dutch national if you have attended the ceremony and made the oral declaration of solidarity. You must appear at the ceremony within one year of the decision on your application. At the ceremony you will receive the decision stating that you have become a Dutch citizen. After the ceremony it will take about 1 week until the municipality has adjusted your details. You can then apply to the municipality for a Dutch passport and/or a Dutch identity card (fees apply).

Below you can read how you can submit an application for Dutch nationality or request information.

Information about naturalization/option statement

Make an appointment for this .

Take

• Valid original ID;
• Valid original residence document;
• Proof that you can read, write, speak and understand Dutch properly (proof of integration exam or Dutch diplomas).

Submit a request for Dutch nationality

• The application procedure starts with the municipality where you are registered;
• You submit the requested documents. The information letter you received states what you must submit with the request;
• You sign the forms required to submit the request;
• You must pay the costs with the application. If your application is rejected, you will not get the money back;
• The municipality draws up a recommendation and forwards your application to the Ministry of Security and Justice;
• The Ministry decides whether you will become a Dutch national. You will automatically receive a message about this;
• You are obliged to participate in the naturalization ceremony.

Take

Make an appointment if you have received the information letter from the municipality, if you meet the conditions and have all the documents in your possession.

• Valid ID;
• Valid residence permit;
• Valid proof of identity of the children who are also naturalising;
• Valid residence permit of the children who naturalise;
• Copy of your birth certificate (if necessary, possibly legalized and translated);
• Copy of the birth certificate of minor children who are naturalizing and who were born abroad (if necessary, possibly legalized and translated);
• Copy of your marriage certificate (if necessary, possibly legalized and translated);
• Proof of civic integration exam or Dutch diplomas;
• Depending on the situation, other documents may be requested.

The costs for a standard naturalization application are:

• For a single person € 970.00
• For a family: € 1,238.00 per couple, increased by an amount of € 143.00 per co-naturalising child

Do you have an asylum permit for an indefinite period or are you stateless (and also included as such in the Municipal Personal Records Database)?

Then you are eligible for a reduced rate of naturalization costs.

The costs for a naturalization application at a reduced rate are:

• For a single person € 722.00
• For a family: € 991.00 per couple, increased by an amount of € 143.00 per co-naturalising child.