Netherlands · Citizenship
Dutch Citizenship by Naturalization
Naturalization in the Netherlands is possible after five consecutive years of lawful residence and a civic integration exam. Most adults must give up their existing nationality, and the government has proposed doubling the residence period to ten years.
- Startup route
- Start-up residence permit
- Minimum capital
- No set capital; living funds for the full year
- Permanent residence
- 5 consecutive years on a valid residence permit
- Citizenship
- 5 years (10-year bill proposed in 2025)
Naturalisation
Applicants must have lived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for at least five consecutive years with a valid residence permit, which can be a permanent permit, an EU long-term resident permit or a temporary permit with a non-temporary purpose. They also pass the civic integration exam at level A2 or higher, unless exempt. Adults generally renounce their current nationality, subject to listed exemptions. The fee is paid to the municipality when the application is submitted, and the IND has 12 months to decide. After a positive decision, the applicant attends a naturalization ceremony within one year; missing it means starting a new application.
- Residence
- 5 consecutive years with a valid residence permit
- Integration exam
- Civic integration exam at A2 or higher
- Government fee
- EUR 1,139 single; EUR 1,454 with a partner
- Processing time
- IND decides within 12 months
- Ceremony
- Must be attended within 1 year of approval
- Dual citizenship
- Renunciation required unless an exemption applies
Requirements
- Five consecutive years of residence in the Kingdom with a valid permit of a qualifying type.
- A pass in the civic integration exam at language level A2, unless exempt.
- Willingness to renounce the current nationality, unless an exemption applies.
- Payment of the fee to the municipality when applying.
- Attendance at the naturalization ceremony within one year of a positive decision.
How to apply
- Confirm 5 consecutive years of qualifying residence and the A2 exam result.
- Submit the application at the municipality and pay EUR 1,139 or EUR 1,454 for partners.
- Wait for the IND decision, which is due within 12 months.
- Attend the ceremony and, where required, renounce the previous nationality.
When a second nationality can be kept
The IND lists situations in which renunciation is not needed. They include being married to or the registered partner of a Dutch citizen when the Royal Decree is signed, holding an asylum permit, being born in the Kingdom and living there now, and holding the nationality of a state the Netherlands does not recognize. Applicants can also ask for an exemption when renouncing would cause serious harm, such as a large payment to their home government, loss of inheritance rights or unfulfilled military service. The IND decides on that request during the naturalization procedure.
The proposed 10-year residence period
On 26 September 2025 the Dutch cabinet announced a bill to extend the minimum residence period for naturalization from 5 to 10 years of uninterrupted lawful residence, combined with civic integration, and sent it to public internet consultation. The announced next stages were advice from the Council of State and then submission to the House of Representatives. As of October 2026 the change is not in force: the IND naturalization page, updated on 20 October 2026, still sets the requirement at 5 consecutive years.
Questions and answers
Does the Netherlands allow dual citizenship for naturalized founders?
Only in specific cases. Adults who naturalize are generally not allowed to keep another nationality and must renounce it under Dutch law. Exemptions cover, among others, spouses and registered partners of Dutch citizens, people born in the Kingdom who live there, and cases where renunciation would bring serious financial or legal consequences.
Has the 10-year naturalization rule been passed?
No. The cabinet presented the plan in September 2025 and put the draft bill out for internet consultation. Any change still requires parliamentary approval before it can take effect, and in October 2026 the IND continues to apply the 5-year residence requirement to new applications.
Can Dutch citizenship be obtained through investment?
No. The Netherlands has no citizenship-by-investment program. Founders and investors become Dutch only through the ordinary naturalization procedure, which requires years of lawful residence, civic integration and, in most cases, renunciation of the previous nationality.
Official sources
- Becoming a Dutch national through naturalisationind.nl
- Renouncing your nationalityind.nl
- Dual nationalityind.nl
- Fees: costs of an applicationind.nl
- Kabinet wil naturalisatietermijn verlengen van 5 naar 10 jaarwww.rijksoverheid.nl
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Netherlands.
Startup visa
1-year start-up permit with an RVO-recognized facilitator; not extendable
02Temporary residence
Self-employed permit for up to 2 years at a time after an RVO points test
03Permanent residence
Permanent residence after 5 years; civic integration exam at A2
04Citizenship
Naturalization after 5 years; renouncing other nationality usually required