There are 3 ways to obtain Dutch nationality: through naturalization, through an option procedure or through birth from a Dutch father or mother.
The Dutch Citizenship Act is complicated; whether and how you may acquire Dutch nationality is different in each individual case. Many rules and exceptions must be taken into account. Our nationality desk lawyers are experts in matters like naturalization, dual nationality and option procedures. They can advise you, assist with the application for Dutch citizenship or represent you during an objection appeal or confirmation procedure.
To diplomats, employees at a consulate or at an international organization (summarized as the privileged) other rules apply.
Loss of Dutch citizenship can occur automatically and in certain situations, you may not be immediately aware of it. Dutch citizenship can also be revoked.
Automatic loss of Dutch nationality may occur if you:
- obtain another nationality voluntarily
- live abroad for 10 years or longer with dual nationality and fail to timely renew your Dutch passport (e.g. within 10 years of the date of issuance of your last passport)
We urge you to contact one of our expert nationality lawyers for advice if this happened to you. Recovering Dutch nationality is a laborious process at best; in some cases, it may be impossible.
Call for former Dutch citizens
Have you lost your Dutch nationality because you have dual citizenship and lived outside of the Netherlands and the EU for more than ten uninterrupted years without a Dutch passport? You might be able to regain your Dutch nationality.
Read more ...Regaining Dutch citizenship in case of disproportionate consequences of loss
On February 12th the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State issued their ruling in 6 cases of persons who lost their Dutch citizenship automatically, because they held dual citizenship, resided outside the Netherlands or the EU for more than ten years, and did not renew their passport during that time.
Read more ...Option and Naturalization Fees 2020
From 1 January 2020 new government fees will be applicable.
Read more ...Obtaining dual nationality
As a result of our partnership with IN Amsterdam (formerly known as the Amsterdam expat center), we recently published an article about obtaining dual nationality on the I Amsterdam Living portal. A subsection of the official Amsterdam municipality website, this English-language portal offers all kinds of practical information for expats.
Read more ...Podcast: Hermie de Voer on Dutch citizenship
Nationality law expert Hermie de Voer spoke to Eelco Keij of SNBN (Dutch Outside The Netherlands Foundation) in the first podcast of a new series.
Read more ...Dual nationality, privilege or choice?
Dual nationality gets a fair bit of media attention lately. In recent news several Moroccan-Dutch citizens asked political support for their right to renounce their Moroccan nationality. At the same time a majority of the House of Representatives proposed a Brexit-emergency law that will allow Dutch citizens in the UK to keep their Dutch nationality in case they obtain the British nationality. How does that work?
Read more ...Changes in civic integration exam for naturalization from abroad
From July 1st 2019, the Dutch regulations concerning the naturalization exam from abroad have changed. These changes affect those who want to apply for Dutch citizenship from abroad and are planning to take the civic integration exam for naturalization at the Dutch consulate or embassy in their country of residence.
Read more ...
