Applying for Dutch citizenship by naturalisation in the Netherlands

Do you want to apply for the Netherlands (Dutch) nationality? One of the ways is to apply for naturalisatie (naturalisation). You can hand in your application via your municipality.

Usually one of the conditions is that you have been legally living in the Netherlands for at least 5 years. Read all conditions of naturalisation on the website of the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).

In some cases there are exemptions to the condition of 5 years of legal residence.

The municipaity will send the application to the IND. The decision will be made by the IND.

The decision-making process takes a maximum of 12 months. You can track the progress of your application on the Mijn IND online portal.

This is how it works for you

Your (future) place of residence falls under:

Municipality of Veendam

Here is some information from your municipality.

Becoming Dutch

A person can become a Dutch citizen by:

birth or recognition
by naturalization or option

There are conditions. For naturalization, the conditions are:

You are registered with the municipality of Veendam.

Extended conditions:

Becoming Dutch by naturalization through the website of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).
Becoming Dutch by option through the website of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).

Are you from the EU/EEA or Switzerland? Then you do not need a residence permit.

Becoming a Dutch citizen applies to the municipality where you are registered. This is how it works:

Make an appointment by telephone at the municipality for an intake interview: +31598 652222
Bring the following with you to your appointment:
- valid (foreign) proof of identity: passport or identity card
- legalized/international birth certificate
- Dutch diploma (not required for option)
- Integration diploma (not required at option)
A second appointment will be scheduled with you during the intake for filing the naturalization request or option procedure.

If you meet the conditions for naturalization:

The municipality makes an advice. We send this advice and your application to the IND.
The King decides on your application. The IND sends you a letter with the decision.

If you meet the conditions for the option procedure:

The mayor decides on your application.
The municipality will send you a letter with the decision.

Will you be granted Dutch nationality? The mayor then invites you to a naturalization ceremony:

During the naturalization ceremony you will make the declaration of affiliation. You will also receive the decision stating that you have become a Dutch citizen.
Within 5 working days after the naturalization ceremony you can apply for a Dutch passport or Identity card.

For the cost of the application, please visit our website. Become a Dutchman

More information on costs of an application can be found on the website of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).

We will send a recommendation and your application for naturalization to the IND. Upon receipt, the IND will decide on your application.

The option procedure is faster. The mayor usually decides within 6 weeks whether you can become a Dutch citizen.