Obtaining Citizenship in the Netherlands

There are several ways to obtain citizenship in the Netherlands, and they are all explained below by our immigration specialists. They are also at your service if you are eligible for a Dutch passport and decide to start the application procedure.

What are the main ways to obtain Dutch citizenship?

The following:

• naturalization, which implies living in the Netherlands for several years, and is also the most common among foreigners moving here;
• birth or descent, which requires the applicant to be related to a Dutch citizen;
• option, which applies to certain people based on specific ties to the country.

What are the conditions to obtain Dutch citizenship by naturalization?

The first and most important is to have been legally living here with a valid Dutch residence permit for a minimum of 5 years without interruption. During this time, you must have renewed your stay before your residence card expired.

NOTE: In some cases (for example, after 3 years of marriage or cohabitation with a Dutch citizen), you can become eligible to apply for citizenship earlier than the 5-year period.

How can I obtain citizenship by descent in the Netherlands?

Citizenship by descent implies no living requirements in the Netherlands, as it is based on the relationship between you (the applicant) and a mother or father who is/was a Dutch citizen. Specifically:

• your mother was a Dutch citizen at the time of your birth;
• both of your parents were Dutch citizens when you were born;
• your father was a Dutch citizen, and your mother was a foreign national, and they were married or in a civil partnership at your birth (if they were not married or registered partners, your father must have acknowledged you before birth);
• your father was a Dutch citizen, your mother was a foreign national, and you and your father lived in the Kingdom at your birth and one of your father's parents lived there when your father was born.

Children adopted by Dutch citizens can also acquire citizenship by descent automatically.

These conditions apply to people who were born on or after 1 January 1985 (before that date, citizenship generally passed only through a Dutch father).

NOTE: Should you want to check your eligibility for citizenship by descent, you can discuss it with our Dutch immigration specialists, who can perform the due diligence.

Who is eligible for citizenship by option in the Netherlands?

Here are the categories of people who can apply for Dutch citizenship by option:

• people born in the Netherlands to foreign parents and have always lived here (if you are in this situation, you can apply for citizenship once you reach adulthood);
• people born before 1 January 1985 to a Dutch mother (and a non-Dutch father);
• stateless persons who were born in the Netherlands, or lived here for a minimum of 3 years with valid residence permits;
• minors who are acknowledged and raised by Dutch citizens for at least 3 years;
• people who have been living in the Netherlands for a long time;
• people who held Dutch nationality, lost it, and want to reapply.

Are there any other requirements to meet when applying for citizenship in the Netherlands?

Yes. The following conditions apply:

• you must have at least an A2 level of Dutch language;
• you must also pass a civic exam.

NOTE: These conditions are not imposed on every applicant; therefore, you can obtain specific details about your situation from one of our specialists in immigration to the Netherlands.

What documents must I prepare when filing for Dutch citizenship?

The following:

• a valid passport;
• a valid residence permit, if you apply for citizenship by naturalization;
• the birth certificate;
• the civic integration certificate;
• marriage certificate/divorce decree, or other documents indicating your marital status;
• other documents, depending on the reason for application.

Where do I submit the Dutch citizenship application?

With the municipality in the city you live. You can also apply from abroad with the Dutch Embassy in the country you currently live.

Applications will then be processed by the Immigration Service.

How long does it take for a citizenship application to be processed in the Netherlands?

The standard procedure takes about one year. However, Dutch citizenship by option applications are processed in 3 months.

How long does it take to obtain a Dutch passport?

After you attend your citizenship ceremony, you will have the Dutch passport issued in about 2 weeks.

If you want to start the procedure for obtaining citizenship in the Netherlands, contact us for support!