In the hands of Minister Donner, Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations it might become more difficult to acquire, or even reacquire, Dutch nationality. In March of this year Donner presented his proposals to tighten the Dutch Citizenship Act of 2003 – (the Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap 2003), herein referred to as the RWN 2003, and it is expected that the Lower House (Tweede Kamer) will debate the proposed bill in November of this year.

Among the main amendments proposed to the RWN 2003 are:

• For those who wish to become Dutch nationals (naturalisandi) a "middeleneis" will apply. Applicants will have to demonstrate that they have sufficient means of income, and in addition, will have to meet the so-called qualification requirement: they must prove that they have had at least two years work experience in the Netherlands or spent at least two years pursuing a vocational qualification in the Netherlands.

• In most cases it will not be possible to maintain an original nationality/citizenship. All naturalisandi, applicants to Dutch citizenship, will be required to give up their other nationality, unless it is impossible to renounce that other citizenship as per the laws of the country in question (as is the case for Morocco or Argentina for example), or because the applicant has been previously accepted in the Netherlands as a refugee. If Donner has his way, exceptions to this renouncement requirement (afstandsverplichting) such as is the case for people marrying a Dutch national, will also cease to exist.

• Even for those who opt to become Dutch nationals (those who under Article 6 RWN 2003 may become Dutch nationals) the renouncement requirement will apply. An exemption will only be made for the so-called latent Dutch and stateless people. This means that even 'former Dutch citizens,' who at one point lost their Dutch citizenship, will be required to renounce their other nationality when re-obtaing Dutch nationality trough option being a former Dutch citizen!

• Minors who become Dutch citizens through option, or naturalisation will, in the future, also have to give up their other nationality.

• The possibility of naturalization by spouses of Dutch nationals and former Dutch nationals, from overseas, will also be eliminated.

This list is not exhaustive, it remains uncertain if all of the amendments will be adopted and become law. If you already qualify for acquiring or reacquiring Dutch citizenship, either through option or via naturalisation, then it is advisable that you start doing so as soon as possible. If you have any questions regarding the above please contact our experts in nationality law: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .