How to Apply for Dutch Nationality Through Naturalization: A Guide for Dual Citizens and Expatriates

The process of acquiring Dutch nationality can be complex and varies depending on your current nationality. Continuing your journey to Dutch citizenship may require you to understand and meet specific conditions outlined by the Dutch government. Here, we will walk you through the steps involved in the naturalization process and highlight key requirements.

Ways to Obtain Dutch Nationality

There are primarily three ways to acquire Dutch nationality through naturalization:

1. Generational Citizenship

If any of your grandparents have had Dutch nationality at any point and have resided in Dutch territory, you may qualify for Dutch nationality. This includes:

The Netherlands The Caribbean Netherlands Suriname The Dutch East Indies Papua New Guinea

2. Residency Requirement

Alternatively, if you have continuously resided in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for five years, during which you held a Dutch residence work permit or were a citizen of the European Union, you may be eligible. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of:

The Netherlands Aruba (Autonomous Country within the Kingdom) Cura?ao (Autonomous Country within the Kingdom) Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (BES Islands)

3. Marital or Spousal Relationship

If you marry or enter into a registered partnership with a Dutch national, and your partner has a gross income of €1684.80 per month, you may qualify for naturalization. It's important to note that it is mandatory for both parties to meet this income requirement.

Conditions for Dutch Citizenship

Before you can apply for naturalization, there are several conditions that must be met:

1. Integration Exam

Before submitting an application, you will need to pass an integration exam. This exam will test your knowledge of:

Dutch language proficiency (reading and speaking) Dutch society and history Key laws and regulations

2. Criminal Record and Renunciation of Nationality

You must have a clean criminal record and establish no criminal history in the past five years. Additionally, you will need to provide a statement confirming the renunciation of your current nationality in countries where this is possible.

3. Unmarried Status Certificate

If you are applying due to a marital or spousal relationship, you will need to provide a certificate of your unmarried status in your country of origin.

For marriages, the application process incurs a fee of €925 per applicant. Additional conditions may apply.

Naturalization Application Process

The naturalization application process can take up to 12 months for the review and decision. If your application is successful:

1. Invitation to the Ceremony

Upon successful approval, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony at a local town hall.

2. Ceremony with the Mayor

During the ceremony, you will:

Be welcomed by the mayor Give a speech Take an oath of loyalty to the Dutch Constitution and laws

3. Oath Ceremony and Royal Decree

After the oath has been taken, a royal decree will be submitted and signed by King Willem-Alexander. You can then collect your new passport from the municipality, and these steps must be completed in Dutch.