Returning to the Netherlands

Requirements if you were born in the Netherlands as a Dutch citizen

• You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone. If you do not have a valid passport or other travel documents the IND will not see this as a reason to reject your application. 
• You have lived in the Netherlands with the Dutch nationality.
• You have finished a minimum of primary school in the Netherlands.

Requirements if you were born abroad as a Dutch citizen

• You are 18 years old or older.
• You do not live in the country of your nationality. For example, you have the Surinamese nationality and you do not live in Surinam.
• You have special ties to the Netherlands. For example, through education, upbringing or work. The special ties are shown in at least one of the following situations:
  • As a Dutch citizen you finished a minimum of half of your primary education in the Netherlands, Caribbean Netherlands, or on Aruba, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten. 
  • As a minor, you finished a study programme that focused more on the Netherlands than was customary at the time in that country.
  • You were employed as a public servant in the Netherlands. Or your work or social status is focused on the Netherlands.
• You passed the Basic Civic Integration Examination Abroad  (in Dutch: basisexamen inburgering buitenland). Or you have an exemption and do not need to take the examination.
• You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.

Requirements if you have lost your Dutch nationality after your naturalisation:

• You are 18 years old or older.
• Your Dutch nationality was withdrawn because you did not give up your other nationality after you became a Dutch citizen. Or you gave up the Dutch nationality for that reason.
• You lived in the Netherlands for at least 3 consecutive years at the time you obtained the  Dutch nationality. During that time, you had a valid residence permit or a valid residence under EU law. 
• You did not live outside the Netherlands.
• You applied for a residence permit within 2 years after losing your Dutch nationality.
• You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.

Requirements if you made a request to establish Dutch citizenship:

• You made a request under Section 17 of the Netherlands Nationality Act (in Dutch: Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap or RWN) to the District Court of The Hague (’s-Gravenhage).
• You request demonstrates that there is a good chance that the court will decide that you are a Dutch citizen.
• The IND has decided that you may wait for the court’s decision in the Netherlands.
• You do not live outside the Netherlands.
• You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone. What if you do not have a valid passport or other travel documents? That is no reason for the IND to reject this application. 

Requirements if you are a minor and have lived in the Netherlands:

• You are under the age of 18.
• Your reception and legal representation has been provided for in the Netherlands.
• You have lived in the Netherlands for at least 10 consecutive years, with the Dutch nationality, with a valid residence permit or under EU law. The Netherlands is likely the most appropriate country for you to live in, if the following applies to you. You did not live in the Netherlands for 10 years, but you did live in the Netherlands for 5 years right before you applied for this residence permit. The IND assesses this and looks at:
  • why you are returning to the Netherlands;
  • how long you have lived in the Netherlands and in your country of origin;
  • your education in the Netherlands and abroad;
  • your work experience in the Netherlands and abroad; 
  • your knowledge of the Dutch language;
  • family members who live in the Netherlands; and
  • previous attempts to return to the Netherlands.
• You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.

Requirements if you are an adult and you lived in the Netherlands when you were a minor:

• You are 18 years old or older.
• You lived in the Netherlands for at least 10 consecutive years before you were 18, either with a valid residence permit or under EU law. You applied for the residence permit before reaching the age of 28. The Netherlands is likely the most appropriate country for you to live in, if the following applies to you. You did not live in the Netherlands for 10 consecutive years before you were 18, but you did live in the Netherlands for 5 years. The IND assesses this and looks at:
  • why you are returning to the Netherlands;
  • how long you lived in the Netherlands and in your country of origin;
  • your education in the Netherlands and abroad;
  • your work experience in the Netherlands and abroad; 
  • your knowledge of the Dutch language;
  • family members who live in the Netherlands; and
  • previous attempts to return to the Netherlands.
• You have passed the Basic Civic Integration Examination Abroad (in Dutch: basisexamen inburgering buitenland). Or you have an exemption and do not have to take the examination.
• You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.

Requirements if you have used Section 8 of the Repatriation Act (Rw) to return to the Netherlands:

• One of the following situations must apply to you:
  • You are a returnee. This means that you used the Repatriation Act (in Dutch: Remigratiewet or Rw) to go and live in your country of origin.
  • You are the partner of a returnee and left the Netherlands together. Before you left, you lived in the Netherlands for at least 3 years with a valid residence permit, under EU law or as a Dutch citizen.
  • You are the child of a returnee and live together with your parents in the Netherlands. You are submitting the application together with one or both of your parents.
  • You are the child of a returnee and lived with your parents in the Netherlands when you were under 18. You turned 18 years within 1 year of your departure from the Netherlands and want to return to the Netherlands independently.
• You are returning to the Netherlands within 1 year of your departure. Or you have submitted the application for the residence permit within 1 year of your departure.
• You have not used the Repatriation Act before to return to the Netherlands.
• You have passed the Basic Civil Integration Examination Abroad  (in Dutch: basisexamen inburgering buitenland). Or you have an exemption and you do not have to take the examination.
• You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.
   

TB Test

Did you indicate at the time of the application that you will take a tuberculosis (TB) test? Then make an appointment  with the public health service (in Dutch: Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst or GGD). Do this within 3 months after you have received your residence permit. Take  with you to the appointment: 

Working with the residence permit

The back of your residence permit says ‘Free to work. Work permit not required (in Dutch: Arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist). TWV stands for tewerkstellingsvergunning which means work permit in Dutch.  You may work in the Netherlands without a work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV).

Legal obligations

You have an obligation to provide information. This means that you must notify the IND of changes in your situation. Find out more about your obligation to provide information. 

The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. If you do not, you may receive an administrative fine.

Validity of residence permit

The humanitarian non-temporary residence permit is valid for 5 years. 

The residence permit issued when you are waiting for Dutch citizenship to be established is valid for 1 year. Or a shorter time if the court decides earlier.

The permanent residence period remains valid. You receive this only if you lived in the Netherlands as a minor. You must, however, extend the permanent residence permit  every 5 years.

Other applications

Replacement of residence permit

Has your residence permit been damaged, lost or stolen? Then have the residence permit replaced. Visit the web page residence permit damaged or change of details or residence permit lost or stolen.

Extension of residence permit 

Will your residence permit expire soon? Then you can extend your residence permit.

Permanent residence permit

Have you had a residence permit for 5 consecutive years? Then you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

• Living in the Netherlands
• Travelling with a residence permit and a return visa 
• Regain Dutch nationality