Frequently asked questions

When you applied for a residence permit, you stated your nationality. You received your residence permit with this nationality. If you want to apply for Dutch citizenship, you must renounce your nationality. Different rules apply to a person who is stateless.

This depends on your situation. In most cases, you must continue living in the Netherlands until your naturalisation is completed. This means until after the naturalisation ceremony. During this entire period, you must have a valid residence permit or the right of residence under EU law.

Married to a Dutch national

Do you live with your Dutch partner and are you married or registered partners? Then nothing changes for your application for naturalisation if you move to another country together. However, you are not allowed to move to a country of which you currently have the nationality. And you must continue living together as married or registered partners until your naturalisation is complete.

Living together without being married

Do you live together without being married? Then the IND may reject your application if you move abroad. This is because, as unmarried partners, you must continue to live in the Netherlands until your naturalisation is complete.

• You no longer need a residence permit. Therefore, you no longer have to meet the requirements for a residence permit.
• You are included in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen or BRP) of the Netherlands.
•  You can apply for a Dutch passport.
• You can stay abroad for a longer period.
• You are allowed to vote in all Dutch elections.
• You are an EU citizen. You are allowed to vote in European elections.
• It will be easier for you to move to another EU country.
• You will be allowed to work in all public positions. For example as a mayor, police officer, soldier or judge.

• Faxes are technically outdated and vulnerable to interception.
• Fax communication does not comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), NTA 7516 and BIO standards.
• Digital communication is more secure, and fits the digitalisation strategy of the IND. 

• Use the digital portals of the IND:
  • File mailbox
  • Solicitor portal
  • Business portal
• Secure email via Zivver or another secure email application (that complies with NTA 7516).
• Formal messages, such as objection letters and notices of default, can be submitted by post or secure email.

Zivver is preferred because it meets all the technical requirements of NTA 7516. Other secure email applications are also allowed, if they can show they meet the NTA 7516 standards. 

The NTA 7516 certification is no longer valid since 15 May 2022. However, the rules and agreements of NTA 7516 still apply. Organisations are still required to comply with them.

The IND has chosen to use Zivver because it meets all requirements. The IND is currently assessing which other email providers are also suitable. Check yourself whether your provider complies with NTA 7516.

Use a Secure email starter to email the IND easily and securely. The starter will direct you to the Zivver WebApp and send your email directly to the correct IND mailbox. Sending is almost always received (confirmation via the envelope icon).

You will see a delivery confirmation via an envelope icon in the bottom left of your email:

• Green: Email successfully sent and received.
• Orange (upward arrow): Something went wrong. Click the envelope for more details.

No confirmation? Contact your email service provider.
 

Check the settings or subscription of your email application. Keep a copy of the sent email as proof.

Current situation via Secure email starter (IND.nl):

Make a printout or screenshot of the confirmation. It is currently not possible to download the receipt (green envelope). The IND is looking into adding a download button for the delivery confirmation.

If you are using your own solution to email securely:

Contact your provider for information about downloading or forwarding the confirmation.
 

You can do this in the same way the objection letter was submitted. See the instructions on Object or appeal decision.

• Maximum 10 MB per document.
• Maximum 20 MB per email.

Do you have larger files? Send them in multiple emails.

You can report your absence to the IND via the Secure email starter on the page Submitting your documents. Always state if someone will be handling your cases in your absence. The notification will be linked to you as the authorised representative in the INDIGO system by the IND.

You can send a message to the IND in individual cases, for example, if you want to request an extension due to your absence. Refer to your earlier absence notification in that message.

Do you live in the Netherlands? Then contact the municipality where you live.

Do you live abroad? Then contact the Dutch embassy or consulate abroad.