Naturalisation

To qualify for naturalisation, you must meet several strict criteria regarding your residency, integration, and legal standing.

Residency Duration

You must have lived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (including the Caribbean territories of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten) for at least 5 consecutive years with a valid residence permit.

Two exceptions reduce this requirement to 3 years:

• Marriage or Registered Partnership: You have been married to, or in a registered partnership with, a Dutch citizen for at least 3 years and have lived together during that entire period.
• Unmarried Partnership: You have lived together with an unmarried Dutch partner for 3 consecutive years.

Important note: A draft proposal to amend the Dutch Citizenship Act, published in September 2025, would extend the standard residency requirement to 10 years and the partner exception to 5 years if enacted. These changes are not yet law, but monitor the IND website for updates.

Permit Type

You must hold a non-temporary residence permit (such as for work, family reunification, or permanent residence) at the time of application. Time spent on "temporary" permits, such as those for study or medical treatment, generally does not count toward the 5-year residency requirement.

Integration

You must demonstrate your integration into Dutch society by passing the Civic Integration Exam (Inburgeringsexamen). The required Dutch language level is A2, though you should verify if your specific integration track under the Wet Inburgering 2021 requires a higher level.

Criminal Record and Public Order

You must have a clean record for the 5 years preceding your application. This means:

• No prison sentences
• No community service orders
• No single fine of €900 or more
• No multiple fines that each total €450 or more and together exceed €1,350

These thresholds were increased on March 1, 2024. If you have fines from before that date, the IND will assess them under the current rules. Applicants with fines between €810 and €899 (or multiple fines totaling between €1,215 and €1,349) are now eligible, even if they would have been disqualified under the previous policy.

Renunciation of Original Nationality

The Netherlands generally follows a "single nationality" principle. You must be prepared to renounce your current nationality unless you fall under a specific exception (see below).