Becoming a Dutch citizen through naturalization

How does it work?

Conditions

A number of conditions apply to become naturalized.

• You are 18 years or older;
• You have lived in the Netherlands continuously for 5 years or longer with a valid residence permit, or;
• You have been married to and living with a Dutch citizen for three years;
• You have obtained your civic integration diploma, or proof that you have been exempted from it.
• You have not served a prison sentence, performed community service, or paid a high fine in the Netherlands or abroad for a crime in the past 5 years.
• You must renounce your current nationality (there are some exceptions to this rule);
• You must make the declaration of solidarity.

Do you have the nationality of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland? Then you do not need a residence permit.

Make an appointment

Before making an appointment, please contact the civil affairs department by calling 14 0511 to answer a few questions. A civil affairs employee will then schedule an appointment for you to apply for naturalization. You can simultaneously submit an application for your minor children living in the Netherlands. You will pay the fees on the same day you submit your application at the town hall.

The naturalisation ceremony

If you are naturalized as a Dutch citizen, you will receive an invitation from the municipality for the naturalization ceremony. You are required to participate in the ceremony. You only become a Dutch citizen when you make the declaration of solidarity at the ceremony. With this, you state that you know that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands also apply to you. At the ceremony, you will receive the decision stating that you have become a Dutch citizen.

How much does it cost?

You can find the current costs on www.ind.nl.