Naturalisation

NNon-Dutch persons can submit a request to acquire the Dutch nationality, if they are 18 years of age or older (independent naturalisation). Minors automatically have the same nationality as their parents (co-naturalisation). Children aged between 12 and 18 have the right to express their wishes. If the child does not want to be naturalised, his/her decision will be accepted.

Several conditions should be met with respect to naturalisation. The person who wishes to be naturalised must have lived in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba for at least five years (three years if he/she is married to a person with the Dutch nationality) immediately prior to the request and they must be considered well integrated into Dutch society. Since 1 April 2003, they are subjected to a naturalisation test (Decree naturalisation test, 15 April 2002). The test corresponds to level 2 of the integration test (Newcomers Integration Act). Immigrants who have completed the integration programme at level 2 or have attended Dutch education for a prolonged period of time are exempt.