Becoming a Dutch citizen through naturalization

How does it work?

Terms

In order to naturalize, a number of conditions apply.

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

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

Making an appointment

Before you make an appointment, please first contact civil affairs by phone at 14 0511 to go through some questions. A civil affairs employee will then schedule an appointment with you for the application for naturalization. You can submit an application for your minor children living in the Netherlands at the same time. You will pay the fee on the same day you submit your application at City Hall.

The naturalization ceremony

Will you be naturalized as a Dutch citizen? Then you will receive an invitation from the municipality for the naturalization ceremony. You are required to participate in the ceremony. You will only become a Dutch citizen if you make the declaration of commitment at the ceremony. With this you say that you know that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands also apply to you. At the ceremony, you will receive the decree stating that you have become a Dutch citizen.

What does it cost?

Current costs can be found at www.ind.nl.