Naturalisatie
becoming a Dutch national through naturalisation
Adults who have lived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for at least 5 consecutive years with a valid residence permit can apply through their municipality. The IND decides. Applicants must pass the civic integration exam at A2, must not be a danger to public order, usually must renounce their other nationality, and must make the declaration of solidarity at a naturalisation ceremony. A government proposal to extend the period to 10 years went to public consultation in 2025, but the IND's conditions (updated 8 October 2026) still state 5 years.
Life in Netherlands
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
87
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
35.75–49.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 21%
Box 1 rates include national insurance premiums: 35.75% to EUR 38,883 (8.10% tax + 27.65% premiums), 37.56% to EUR 78,426, 49.50% above; lower first-bracket rate after state pension age.
Living
1
Happiness
#7 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Adult foreign nationals with long-term or non-temporary lawful residence in the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten or the Caribbean Netherlands.
Eligibility
Age 18+
You must be 18 or older. Children under 18 can be included in a parent's application.
5 years continuous residence
You need at least 5 consecutive years in the Kingdom with a valid residence permit, always extended on time.
5 years
Residence required
Official wording
At least 5 consecutive years in the Kingdom with a valid residence permit, always extended on time.
Shorter periodsPartners of Dutch nationals and other exceptions
Shorter residence periods apply to partners of Dutch nationals and some other cases.
Shorter residence periods
- With Dutch partnerliving with same partner
- 3 years
- Long total residence10+ years in Kingdom in total
- 2 years
- Partner can be a spouse, registered partner or unmarried partner.
- No residence abroad needed after 3 years of marriage or partnership with a Dutch national.
- Residence abroad rule also waived in some other cases.
Official wording
3 years when living with the same Dutch spouse, registered partner or unmarried partner; 2 years if you have lived in the Kingdom for at least 10 years in total; no residence needed abroad after 3 years of marriage or partnership with a Dutch national, and in some other cases.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementQualifying residence status
- Document checklistValid passport or travel document
- FeesNaturalisation, 1 person
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 6 more requirements
- 8 documents
- 5 fees
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Netherlands
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- IND: Becoming a Dutch national through naturalisation (updated 8 Oct 2026)
- IND: Exceptions to the 5-year term (updated 6 Mar 2026)
- IND: Civic integration for naturalisation
- IND: Public order policy naturalisation and option (updated 8 Jun 2026)
- IND: Renouncing your nationality (updated 8 Jun 2026)
- IND: Dual nationality (updated 14 Jul 2026)
- IND: Fees - costs of an application
- Rijksoverheid: Kabinet wil naturalisatietermijn verlengen van 5 naar 10 jaar (26 Sep 2025)
Other routes to Netherlands
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyStudent residence permit for university or higher professional education
- Work permitsResidence permit for highly skilled migrant
- FamilyResidence permit to stay with a partner
- Asylum & protectionAsylum in the Netherlands
