Becoming a Dutch citizen

First, check the requirements for going through the naturalisation process

Please check the conditions for taking part in the selection process first

The naturalisation process

If you meet the criteria, you can start the naturalisation process. Follow these steps:

1. You can book an appointment for an information session at the town hall.
2. During the information session, we will assess whether you are eligible for Dutch citizenship. If everything is in order, an appointment will be made for your application for naturalisation.
3. You will submit your application during your second appointment. The local authority will forward it, together with the mayor’s recommendation, to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
4. The IND decides whether you can become a Dutch national. Once the IND has reached a decision, you will be notified by post.
5. You will receive a notice from the local authority regarding the submission of the declaration of affiliation
6. Once you have made the declaration of allegiance, you will be registered in the Basic Register of Persons (BRP) as a Dutch national.

The process takes up to 12 months. In principle, you lose your own nationality upon naturalisation. There are exceptions where you are permitted to retain it. Find out more the IND’s website for more information.

The option procedure

If you meet the criteria, you can start the option procedure. Follow these steps:

1. You can book an appointment for an information session at the town hall.
2. During the information meeting, we will assess whether you are eligible to become a Dutch national under the option scheme. If everything is in order, an appointment will be made to submit your application under the option scheme
3. You will make the request during the second appointment.
4. The mayor decides whether you can become a Dutch citizen. You will be notified of this by post.
5. You will make a declaration of allegiance
6. Once you have made the declaration of allegiance, you will be registered in the Basic Register of Persons (BRP) as a Dutch national.

The option procedure is the easiest and quickest way to become a Dutch citizen. The process takes up to 3 months.

In that case, you do not need to renounce your own nationality, unless you are aged 18 or over and have been living in the Netherlands with a valid residence permit since the age of 4. You must, however, check with the authorities in your country of origin to see whether holding a second nationality is permitted. If the legislation in your country of origin does not allow this, you will still lose your original nationality. With this option, you do not need to demonstrate that you are sufficiently integrated in the Netherlands; we therefore do not assess your knowledge of the Dutch language.

You must pay the fees for the procedures when you submit your application. You will not be refunded these fees if the IND rejects your application. The fees for the naturalisation and option procedures are as follows: