Becoming a Dutch national through naturalisation
Video: How can I become Dutch through naturalisation?
You apply for Dutch nationality with a request for naturalisation. You must submit your application for naturalisation to the municipality. First, watch the video below.
- Download in Download in MP4 HD format MP4 HD | 98.8 MB
Video title is visible in animation: How can I become Dutch through naturalisation? Instruction video
voice-over: How can I become Dutch through naturalisation? You would like to become a Dutch citizen.
Then you can apply for naturalisation at the town hall where you live. The IND, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, will decide on your application.
In this animation, we’ll take you through the steps for naturalisation. Step 1: Read the conditions on our website.
If you would like to become Dutch, you can find out which conditions apply on ind.nl. For example, for how long you must have lived in the Netherlands.
And whether you need to renounce the nationality you have now. Our website also lists which documents you need to present when you apply.
Step 2: Apply at your town hall. Make an appointment at the town hall in the municipality where you live.
During the appointment, a member of staff from the town hall will discuss the conditions with you. And check if you have all the documents.
Then the member of staff will complete the application with you. Do you have children under 18? And would you also like to apply for
naturalisation for them? You can do this at the same time as your application. You must pay for your application straight away. Find out how much it will cost on our website.
Step 3: Wait for the decision. The town hall will send your application to the IND. You will receive an acknowledgment of receipt by post.
This states how long the IND is allowed to take to decide on your application. This is known as the decision period: it is 12 months.
You can follow your application in My IND. Step 4: The decision. The IND has taken a decision. Has your application been rejected
and you don’t agree? Then you can apply for review. Has your application been approved? Then the IND asks the King to give you Dutch nationality.
The King must provide his signature. You don’t immediately become Dutch. Step 5: The naturalisation ceremony.
You only become Dutch if you attend the naturalisation ceremony. If your application has been approved, you’ll receive an invitation from the town hall.
During the naturalisation ceremony, you must take the declaration of solidarity. You declare that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands apply to you.
At the ceremony, you receive the naturalisation decision. Then you can apply for a Dutch passport. Step 6: Renouncing your current nationality.
If you become Dutch, you usually need to renounce the nationality you now have. This means that you give up your nationality.
You can find out how this works on our website. Make sure you understand this before you apply for naturalisation.
If you don’t renounce your current nationality after becoming Dutch, you may lose your Dutch nationality.
Would you like to become Dutch? Visit www.ind.nl/naturalisation.
text in animation: Would you like to become Dutch? ind.nl/naturalisation.
- Download in MP4 HD format MP4 HD | 98.8 MB
Video title is visible in animation: How can I become Dutch through naturalisation? Instruction video
voice-over: How can I become Dutch through naturalisation? You would like to become a Dutch citizen.
Then you can apply for naturalisation at the town hall where you live. The IND, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, will decide on your application.
In this animation, we’ll take you through the steps for naturalisation. Step 1: Read the conditions on our website.
If you would like to become Dutch, you can find out which conditions apply on ind.nl. For example, for how long you must have lived in the Netherlands.
And whether you need to renounce the nationality you have now. Our website also lists which documents you need to present when you apply.
Step 2: Apply at your town hall. Make an appointment at the town hall in the municipality where you live.
During the appointment, a member of staff from the town hall will discuss the conditions with you. And check if you have all the documents.
Then the member of staff will complete the application with you. Do you have children under 18? And would you also like to apply for
naturalisation for them? You can do this at the same time as your application. You must pay for your application straight away. Find out how much it will cost on our website.
Step 3: Wait for the decision. The town hall will send your application to the IND. You will receive an acknowledgment of receipt by post.
This states how long the IND is allowed to take to decide on your application. This is known as the decision period: it is 12 months.
You can follow your application in My IND. Step 4: The decision. The IND has taken a decision. Has your application been rejected
and you don’t agree? Then you can apply for review. Has your application been approved? Then the IND asks the King to give you Dutch nationality.
The King must provide his signature. You don’t immediately become Dutch. Step 5: The naturalisation ceremony.
You only become Dutch if you attend the naturalisation ceremony. If your application has been approved, you’ll receive an invitation from the town hall.
During the naturalisation ceremony, you must take the declaration of solidarity. You declare that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands apply to you.
At the ceremony, you receive the naturalisation decision. Then you can apply for a Dutch passport. Step 6: Renouncing your current nationality.
If you become Dutch, you usually need to renounce the nationality you now have. This means that you give up your nationality.
You can find out how this works on our website. Make sure you understand this before you apply for naturalisation.
If you don’t renounce your current nationality after becoming Dutch, you may lose your Dutch nationality.
Would you like to become Dutch? Visit www.ind.nl/naturalisation.
text in animation: Would you like to become Dutch? ind.nl/naturalisation.
Becoming a Dutch national by means of an option application
Sometimes you can also become a Dutch national in a faster and easier way. We call this option. Different requirements apply for option than for naturalisation. There are a number of advantages:
- For an option application, you usually do not have to renounce your nationality.
- When applying for option, you do not have to demonstrate that you are sufficiently integrated in the Netherlands.
- The costs are lower than for naturalisation.
Check if you are eligible to apply for Dutch nationality by means of an option application.
Requirements
The following requirements apply to naturalisation:
- You must be 18 years or older.
- You can prove your identity and nationality with valid documents.
- You have lived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for at least 5 consecutive years with a valid residence permit. You have always extended your residence permit on time. In some cases you can apply for naturalisation earlier. Find out about exceptions to the 5-year term.
- At the time of your application for naturalisation, you have one of the following residence permits:
- An asylum permanent residence permit or regular permanent residence permit.
- A residence permit as a long-term EU resident.
- A temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay.
- A resident permit as a family member of an EU national (including stay with minor Dutch child, ruling Chavez-Vilchez).
- You have residence pursuant to EU law because you have the nationality of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland. You do not need to have a residence permit.
- A residence document Article 50 TEU Withdrawal Agreement Brexit (in Dutch: Terugtrekkingsakkoord Brexit) for UK nationals and their family members.
- On the date of the naturalisation ceremony, you have a valid residence permit or you still have a valid right of residence under EU law.
- You have fulfilled the integration requirement. This means you must have passed the civic integration exam on at least language level A2. Sometimes you are exempted form the civic integration exam. For example, because you can already read, write, speak and understand Dutch to a sufficient level. For more information about the civic integration requirement, go to our webpage Civic integration for more secure residence permit and naturalisation.
- You are not a danger to the public order or national security of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
- You must renounce your current nationality. There are exemptions to this rule. Find out if you are required to renounce your nationality and what that means for you before you request naturalisation.
- You must be willing to make the declaration of solidarity during the naturalisation ceremony. You hereby declare that you are aware that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands also apply to you.
- You must have your name determined if your name does not consist of a first name and a last name (surname). Your first name and surname will then be determined together with you.
Naturalisation abroad: no residence permit, but conditions are required
Are you applying from abroad? Then you do not need a Dutch residence permit. You must meet the requirements that apply to a residence permit for a non-temporary purpose.
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Requirements minor children
open minusA child under the age of 18 cannot apply for naturalisation themselves. However, you and your child can apply for Dutch nationality together. You will include the naturalisation for your child with your own application (in Dutch: mee-naturalisatie).
Requirements for including children under the age of 16 in your application
- Your child lives in the Netherlands.
- Your child has a valid permanent residence permit. Or a temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay. The residence permit must be valid until the day of the naturalisation ceremony.
- Children aged 12 and above must be present when you submit your application to the municipality. Your child will then tell the official what they think of being included in the application for naturalisation.
Requirements for including children aged 16 or 17 years old in your application
- Your child has lived in the Netherlands for at least 3 years in a row.
- Your child has a valid permanent residence permit. Or a temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay. The residence permit must be valid until the day of the naturalisation ceremony.
- Your child must be present when you submit your application to the municipality. Your child must indicate that they agree to being included in the application for naturalisation.
- Your child must be willing to make the declaration of solidarity during the naturalisation ceremony.
- Are you having the name of your child determined or changed? Then your child has to give permission.
Consent of the other parent
Is only one parent applying for naturalisation? And does this parent also include a child in their application for naturalisation? The other parent must be present at the municipality to give consent to the naturalisation of the child together with the other parent.
Later naturalisation of a child
Did your child not naturalise together with you? After you have become a Dutch citizen yourself, you can also apply for naturalisation of your child. This is called subsequent naturalisation.
Later naturalisation of an adult child
Did your child reach the age of majority during your naturalisation or option procedure? And was the child's application rejected for this reason? If so, then your child can apply for subsequent naturalisation.
Process and costs
These are the steps in the application process for the residence permit.
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1. Check requirements open minusA valid provisional residence permit (MVV) is needed for this application
Make sure you meet the requirements.
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1. Check requirements open minusMake sure you meet the requirements.
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2. Collect documents open minusYou will need to produce certain documents to show that you meet the requirements for naturalisation. Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German. Are your foreign documents already registered in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP)? Then you do not need to obtain and legalise these documents again.
You will need to provide the following documents:
- A valid passport or other travel document.
- A birth certificate from your country of origin.
- A valid residence permit or other proof of lawful residence. If you are a national of a country in the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you do not need to have a residence permit. The municipality will consult the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen or BRP) to check how long you have lived in the Netherlands.
- Civic integration diploma or other proof of civic integration. Or a certificate of exemption (or partial exemption) from the integration requirement.
- Where a child under the age of 18 is included in a parent’s application for naturalisation:
- The same documents for your child, except for proof of integration, as this is not required for your child.
- Is only one parent applying for naturalisation? Then the other parent must also be present at the municipality to declare that they consent to the child being included in the other parent’s application for naturalisation. The other parent must also hand over a copy of their residence permit.
Lived together abroad
Have you lived abroad with your spouse? Then bring documents with you that prove that you lived together abroad. This can be proof from the foreign country where you lived that you were both registered in the persons administration there. If this is not possible, other documents are also acceptable. For example, lease or bank statements. It is important that both your names are on these documents, plus the address where you lived together.
No passport or birth certificate
You can obtain a passport or birth certificate by applying to the government of your country of origin. Are you unable to obtain a passport or birth certificate? Then you may be granted an exemption due to lack of documentary evidence.
Identity and nationality
If you want to become a Dutch citizen you have to prove your identity and nationality. If doubt exists about the personal data or nationality you provided, your request may be rejected.
Does the IND doubt the identity or nationality caused by incorrect statements given by your parent(s)? Then the IND will not reject the request. Then the IND will use the identification and nationality that were provided when the minor child received the residence permit.
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3. Apply open minusYou must submit your application for naturalisation to the municipality where you live. An employee of the municipality will discuss all the requirements with you and check whether you have all the required documents. If something is missing or you need to look into a particular matter, the municipality will make another appointment for you.
Completing the application formYou will fill in the application form together with a staff member from the municipality. You will also complete the following declarations:
- A declaration of willingness to make the declaration of solidarity. By completing this declaration, you declare that you know that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands also apply to you.
- A declaration of willingness that you will renounce your current nationality if you have become Dutch. Do you not have to renounce because you fall under an exception? Then you indicate this in the declaration.
Including your children in your application for naturalisation
If you have children under the age of 18 and you wish to include them in your application for naturalisation, please mention this at the time of the appointment. Your children will then be included in the application. Children aged 12 and above must accompany you on your visit to the municipality to make the application. Your children will then tell the official what they think about the naturalisation. If your children are aged 16 or 17, they must also indicate that they agree to becoming Dutch nationals. Did your child not naturalise together with you? After you have become a Dutch citizen yourself, you can also apply for naturalisation of your child. This is called subsequent naturalisation.
Establishing your name
Your name may need to be formally established. This means that your first name and last name will be determined together with you. Establishing your name is mandatory if you do not have a first name or last name. This is true if you have 1 name. Or if you have more names without separation between first names and surname. You fill in a form which first name and last name (surname, in Dutch geslachtsnaam) you would like. Are you unsure whether your name should be established? Your municipality can give you more information.
Changing your name
You may ask to change your surname in your naturalisation application. Or your surname and first name. You can change your name if it is important for your integration. This is only the case in the following situations:
- Your name is difficult to pronounce for Dutch people.
- You have acquired your husband’s surname through marriage and you wish to change that name to your maiden name.
- Your name is ridiculous according to the general Dutch opinion. This means that your name has an inappropriate meaning in Dutch.
- Your last name is inflected with a masculine or feminine conjugation. You can then change your last name to the uninflected name. For example, a change from Bonova to Bonov.
- You have a compound last name, i.e. the name of your mother and your father. One of those names can then become your last name.
Determining or changing names of children
Children aged 12 to 15 who participate in naturalisation may say what they think about the adoption or change of their name. Children aged 16 or 17 must give permission for their name to be determined or changed.
Send application form
Once all information has been collected, a municipal employee will prepare advice for the IND. The municipality will then send your application form with all documents and advice to the IND. The IND will decide on your request for naturalisation.
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4. Pay for application open minusYou have to pay for the application. To find out how much your application costs, visit our web page Fees: costs of an application.
You pay the costs (fees) to the municipality when you submit your application.
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5. Wait for decision on application open minusThe IND must take a decision within 12 months. This is called the decision period. You will receive a letter stating the date by which the IND will decide on the application. The decision period begins as soon as the fees for the application have been paid. We can extend the decision period if it takes longer to decide. For example, because the application is not complete. In that case, the IND will send a message.
Follow the application in My IND.
What if the IND decides late
Has the decision period passed? And do you still not have a decision on your application? Find out what you can do if the IND is late with its decision.
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6. Decision on application open minusYou will receive the decision in a letter. The decision will be positive or negative.
- Positive decision: the IND has given its approval to you becoming a Dutch national. However, this letter does not make you a Dutch national immediately. Find out what you still need to do to become a Dutch national.
- Negative decision: you will not obtain Dutch nationality. You can object against this decision.
After the positive decision
You have received a positive decision on your application. Find out what else you need to do before you become a Dutch citizen.
Signing of the Royal Decree Dutch Citizenship
According to the IND, you meet all requirements to become a Dutch citizen. The IND will forward this decision to the King of the Netherlands. The King needs to place his signature. By signing, the King gives official permission to grant you Dutch nationality. This is called a Royal Decree.
Obligatory participation in naturalisation ceremony
You will only become a Dutch citizen after you have gone to the required naturalisation ceremony. Do this within 1 year after you’ve received the positive decision. If you do not go, you will not get the Dutch nationality, and you will have to apply for naturalisation again.
Local councils (in Dutch: gemeenten) organise naturalisation ceremonies. The local council celebrates together with you that you have become a Dutch citizen. The naturalisation ceremony also pays special attention to the meaning of Dutch nationality.
Children aged 16 and over
Was your child aged 16 or older when the request for naturalisation was submitted? In that case your child must also attend the naturalisation ceremony. Is your child under 16 years old? In that case your child does not have to but may attend the ceremony.
Find out more information about the naturalisation ceremony on the Dutch Government website.
Declaration of Solidarity
During the ceremony you will make a Declaration of Solidarity. You declare that you know that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands also apply to you. Afterwards you will receive proof that you have become a Dutch citizen: the naturalisation decision.
See the brochure Declaration of Solidarity on the Dutch Government website.
Apply for a Dutch Passport
Did you go to the naturalisation ceremony? And have you received the naturalisation decision? In that case you can apply to your local council for a Dutch passport.
If you have a foreign national’s or refugee’s passport you must hand it in when you collect your Dutch passport.
Renouncing your nationality
Have you become a Dutch citizen? And did you state at the time of the application that you will renounce your other nationality? You can often do this at the embassy or consulate of that country in the Netherlands. Find out more about renouncement of your other nationality.
Post-naturalisation of a child
Did your minor child not naturalise together with you? After you have become a Dutch citizen yourself, you can also apply for naturalisation of your child. This is called post-naturalisation.
Requirements for post-naturalisation of a child
- Your child has lived in the Netherlands for at least 3 years in a row.
- Your child has a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit with a non-temporary residence purpose.
Requirements for post-naturalisation of a child born during your naturalisation process
- Your child lives in the Netherlands.
- Your child has a valid residence permit for a non-temporary purpose, for example for residence with parents.
Was your child born during your naturalisation process? In that case the application for your child will be free of charge. You must submit the application within 1 year after you have become a Dutch citizen yourself.
Requirements for post-naturalisation of a child that reaches the age of majority during your naturalisation
- Your child has lived in the Netherlands for at least 3 years in a row.
- Your child has a valid residence permit for a non-temporary purpose, for example for residence with parents.
Did your child reach the age of majority during your naturalisation? And the child's application was rejected because of this? If so, then your child can apply for subsequent naturalisation. To find out how much the application costs, visit our web page Fees: costs of an application.
See also
- Becoming a Dutch national through option
- Becoming a Dutch national abroad
- Recouning your nationality
- Brochure How to become a Dutch citizen (only available in Dutch)
- Brochure Civic exam: requirement for naturalisation (only available in Dutch)
- Brochure You become a Dutch national. What you may and must do (only available in Dutch)
- Brochure Declaration of solidarity (only available in Dutch: Verklaring van verbondenheid) (Dutch Government)
- Frequently asked questions Dutch citizenship
- Status of Moluccans act
Rules and regulations
- Manual Netherlands Nationality Act (in Dutch: Handleiding Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap) (only available in Dutch)
- Article 11 Netherlands Nationality Act (in Dutch: Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap (later naturalisation adult child) (only available in Dutch)
