For naturalization, you must give up your citizenship
Are you 18 years old or older? Then you have to give up your other citizenship after naturalization. The Dutch government wants to limit dual or dual citizenship. Because it's not always clear what rights and obligations you have if you have more than one nationality. The rights and obligations of your other nationality may conflict with those of Dutch nationality.
It is often not necessary to give up the option
Will the option process make you a Dutch citizen? So you can often keep your other nationality. Are you applying to become an Option Dutchman because you have lived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands since you were four? Then you have to give up your other nationality.
Exceptions: if you don't have to give up your nationality
Dutch law sometimes allows you to keep your other nationality. Then the IND will not ask you to give up your other nationality. You can still opt out if you wish.
After naturalization or option procedures, it is not necessary to renounce nationality in the following situations:
- You are married to a Dutchman. Or you are the registered partner of a Dutch citizen.
- You have an asylum residence permit.
- You were born in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and now you live here too. It is not necessary that you have always lived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten. And 3 special communities: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
- You are a citizen of a country that the Netherlands does not recognize. For example, Taiwan or the Palestinian Territories.
Please note: sometimes you automatically lose your other nationality when you become a Dutch citizen. This depends on the rules in your country of citizenship.
List of countries: Rules by nationality
Dutch law requires you to renounce your other nationality if possible. In most countries, you can give up your citizenship. But sometimes this is not possible according to the law or the government of that country. Then the IND will not ask you to give up your citizenship. Sometimes you automatically lose your other nationality when you become a Dutch citizen.
Renunciation of citizenship: how does it work?
Can you give up your citizenship under the regulations of your country of citizenship? And you don't have an exception under Dutch law? So you have to give up your nationality after becoming a Dutch citizen.
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1. Check what it means for you
open mind Any less-Learn the pros and cons of becoming a Dutch citizen and learn what will change for you if you give up your other nationality.
Becoming a Dutch citizen: what are the pros and cons?
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2. Find out how to give up your nationality
open mind Any less-You give up your citizenship to the government of your country of citizenship. This always costs money and time. Before applying for naturalization, find out about the costs and duration. Contact the consulate or embassy of your country of citizenship in the Netherlands (or Belgium).
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3. Submit a statement with your naturalization application
open mind Any less-Have you decided to become a Dutch citizen? And do you meet the requirements to become Dutch? Then apply for naturalization in the municipality where you live. When applying, you must state in writing that you wish to give up your other nationality as soon as you become a Dutch citizen. Or request the exemption in the declaration.
Request exemption from relinquishing citizenship
Only in very unusual situations can you ask not to give up your nationality, as this will have serious consequences. Then you must give a good reason. For example:
- You have to pay a large sum to your country's government to give up your citizenship.
- You lose certain rights when you give up your citizenship. This means that you lose a lot of money because, for example, you can no longer inherit from your family.
- You must do military service (or buy your ransom) before you can give up your citizenship.
documents
You must provide documents explaining why you believe you cannot give up your nationality. These documents usually come from abroad. You may need to translate and legalize them first.
Certification and translation of foreign documents.
IND decision
During the processing of your naturalization application, the IND decides whether you will receive the requested exemption. Once you become a Dutch citizen, you can no longer apply for an exemption. If you get an exemption, you don't have to give up your citizenship. Has the IND decided that you are not entitled to an exemption? And you still want to become a Dutch citizen? Then you must fill out a new statement that you want to relinquish citizenship.
Contact us if you want to know more about exceptions to renouncing citizenship.
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4. Make sure we can reach you: let us know if your address changes
open mind Any less-The IND must be able to contact you until you give up your citizenship. Right after the naturalization ceremony, the IND will send you a letter informing you that you must give up your other nationality. If you cannot be reached by mail, you will miss out on important information. This may result in your Dutch nationality being revoked for failing to renounce your other nationality in a timely manner.
Moving within the Netherlands
IND receives your address data from the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP) of the prefecture of your place of residence. Make sure your BRP address is correct if you have moved.
Emigrate
What if you no longer have an address in the Netherlands? Immediately inform the IND of your address abroad. And preferably an email address. Send your address details and your V-number to:
Regular Residence and Department of Dutch Citizenship
mailbox 3
9560 AA TER APPLEdigital mail
Would you also like to receive your IND postage digitally?Sign up to receive emails in your inbox at MijnOverheid.
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5. Request for Renunciation of Citizenship
open mind Any less-You will receive a letter from the IND stating that you must give up your other nationality. Did you get the letter? Then ask the government of your country of citizenship to terminate your citizenship as soon as possible. You can often do this at that country's consulate or embassy in the Netherlands (or Belgium).
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6. Submit proof of application for renunciation of citizenship
open mind Any less-After the IND sends you a letter, you have 3 months to provide proof of your request to renounce the other nationality. The letter will say exactly what you need to send. Sometimes you can give up your nationality within 3 months. In this case, it is sufficient to present proof of waiver of nationality to the IND.
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7. Submit a copy of proof of waiver of nationality
open mind Any less-After you give up your citizenship, you will receive an official document from the government of the country of your citizenship. This document states that you have renounced your nationality. You must send a copy of this document to the IND. You may need to translate and legalize this document first.
Certification and translation of foreign documents.