Netherlands - Apply for Dutch Nationality While Living in Another Country

ProcedureEdit

Former Dutch nationalsEdit

Former Dutch nationals who live in another country can apply to the Dutch embassy or consulate for their Dutch nationality to be restored. Former Dutch nationals are people who once possessed Dutch nationality, but who lost it at some point, for instance as a result of acquiring another nationality. Someone who lives in the country whose nationality he possesses cannot become a naturalised Dutch national. However, women who lost their Dutch nationality as a result of marriage can opt to have their Dutch nationality restored.

As a rule, any former Dutch national who regains Dutch nationality through naturalisation must renounce his present nationality or nationalities. When a former Dutch national regains Dutch nationality by option, however, this will not generally be necessary.

The brochure issued by the IND (in Dutch) Hoe krijgt u de Nederlandse nationaliteit terug? (How can you regain Dutch nationality?; available in Dutch only) explains what former Dutch nationals have to do in order to regain Dutch nationality.

Separate rules apply to Surinamese nationals who want to regain Dutch nationality (in Dutch).

Non-Dutch nationals with a Dutch partnerEdit

A non-Dutch national who lives in a third country with his or her Dutch partner can apply for Dutch nationality at the embassy or consulate. You can become a Dutch national if:

you have been married to (or been the registered partner of) a Dutch national for at least three years;
you are over 18 years of age;
you do not live in the country whose nationality you possess. For example, a Belgian who marries a Dutch national and carries on living in Belgium cannot become a Dutch national. But a Belgian who lives in Germany and who marries a Dutch national can become a Dutch national;
you are sufficiently integrated into Dutch society and can speak, read, write and understand Dutch. A civic integration examination or a certificate from a Dutch school can serve as proof of proficiency in the Dutch language.

The IND brochure (in Dutch) Hoe kunt u Nederlander worden in het buitenland? (How can you acquire Dutch nationality in a third country?; available in Dutch only) explains what action you need to take if you want to apply for Dutch nationality from a third country.

Naturalisation of childrenEdit

Are you applying for Dutch nationality from another country as a former Dutch national or as the partner of a Dutch national? If so, you can apply at the same time for your children to be given Dutch nationality too. This is not possible if the child is living in the country whose nationality it possesses. Children of 16 or 17 years of age must give their consent for this application at the embassy.

Civic integration examination and naturalisation ceremonyEdit

Former Dutch nationals who want to regain Dutch nationality through the option procedure do not have to take a civic integration examination. Former Dutch nationals and non-Dutch nationals who want to become Dutch nationals through the naturalisation procedure, do (in most cases) have to take a civic integration exam for naturalisation. For this they have to make an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate. They can inform them about the proper procedures.

Everyone who acquires Dutch nationality in another country has to go to a naturalisation ceremony at the Dutch embassy or consulate, where they will be given a document confirming their Dutch nationality.

Required DocumentsEdit

List down the documents required for successfully completing the procedure.

e.g.
1. Proof of child birth from the Hospital.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

By telephone

Inside the Netherlands:

1400 (local rates)

Outside the Netherlands:

Please call +31 77 4656767 (regular call charges apply.)

The Public Information Service line is open on weekdays from 08.00 to 20.00 hrs. In case your question cannot be answered immediately, you will be referred to another government agency.

By email

Please follow the link

https://www.government.nl/contact/contact-form

EligibilityEdit

Provide eligibility criteria's for going through this procedure.

FeesEdit

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

ValidityEdit

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to UseEdit

Please attach documents which can be used by people who would like to follow this procedure.

Sample DocumentsEdit

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Processing TimeEdit

Please explain the processing your application.

InstructionsEdit

Please provide instructions on obtaining the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required InformationEdit

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the DocumentEdit

It is possible to apply for a Dutch Nationality while living in another country but there are still some restrictions.

Information which might helpEdit

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External LinksEdit

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OthersEdit

More information which might help people.