Naturalisation

The naturalisation process is a joint effort between your local municipality and the national immigration authorities. You must apply in person at the Gemeente (city hall) where you are currently registered in the Basisregistratie Personen (Personal Records Database or BRP).

Step 1: Check Your Residency and Permits

Before booking an appointment, ensure you have lived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for 5 consecutive years with a valid residence permit. This period is reduced to 3 years if you are married to or in a registered partnership with a Dutch citizen. Your current permit must be non-temporary; permits for study or medical treatment generally do not count toward this timeline.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Gather the following original documents. If they are not in Dutch, English, French, or German, they must be translated by a sworn translator and may require an Apostille (a stamp for international document legalisation).

• Valid Passport: To prove your identity and current nationality.
• Birth Certificate: This must already be registered in your local BRP.
• Civic Integration Diploma: Proof that you have passed the Inburgeringsexamen (Civic Integration Exam) at the A2 level.
• Valid Residence Permit: Proof of your legal stay throughout the process.

Step 3: The Municipality Appointment

Contact your local Gemeente to schedule a naturalisation appointment. During this meeting:

1. A municipal official will review your original documents.
2. You will complete the application form.
3. You must pay the application fee immediately. The municipality will not forward your file to the IND until payment is received.

Step 4: IND Review

The municipality forwards your application to the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (Immigration and Naturalisation Service or IND). The IND will conduct a background check to ensure you have no criminal record (specifically no fines of €810 or more in the last 5 years) and verify your residency history.

Step 5: The Decision and Decree

You will receive a letter from the IND with their decision. If approved, your file is sent to the King of the Netherlands, who must sign a formal naturalisation decree.

Step 6: The Naturalisation Ceremony

Once the decree is signed, you will receive an invitation from your municipality to attend a mandatory Naturalisatieceremonie (naturalisation ceremony). You must attend this event and make the verklaring van verbondenheid (declaration of solidarity) to officially become a Dutch citizen.

Step 7: Apply for Your Passport

After the ceremony, your status in the BRP will be updated to "Dutch citizen." You can then book a follow-up appointment at your municipality to apply for your Dutch passport or ID card.

Fees must be paid at the start of the process at your local municipality. These fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied.

Item	Cost
Single Person (Standard)	€1,091
Couple (Applying together)	€1,393
Minor (Joining a parent's application)	€161
Refugees or Stateless Persons	€811

Total Estimate: Approximately €1,091 for an individual applicant. Does not include: Costs for document translations, legalisation/apostilles, or the final Dutch passport application fee (approx. €80).

The timeline for naturalisation is significant, and you must maintain a valid residence permit until the very day of your ceremony.

• IND Decision Period: The IND has a statutory limit of 12 months to process your application. In complex cases, they may extend this by an additional 12 months.
• Ceremony and Decree: After a positive decision, it typically takes 2 to 3 months for the King to sign the decree and for the municipality to organize your ceremony.
• Total End-to-End: Expect the entire process to take between 12 and 18 months.
• Document Validity: Ensure your foreign documents (like birth certificates) are "recent" according to your municipality's specific rules—some require these to be issued within the last 6 to 12 months if they are from certain countries.