Becoming Dutch: File at Your Municipality, Expect an IND Decision in 12 Months

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has published updated guidance, last revised on 20 October 2026, on how adults can become Dutch nationals through naturalisation. Applications are filed at the municipality where you live, while the IND decides on the request. Dutch nationality is only acquired after attending a naturalisation ceremony.

Key facts

• Applicants must be 18 or older and able to prove their identity and nationality with valid documents.
• You must have lived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for at least 5 consecutive years with a valid residence permit, applying for extensions on time; exceptions exist.
• You must have passed the civic integration exam at language level A2, unless exempted.
• The IND's decision period is 12 months.
• You usually must renounce your current nationality; failing to do so after becoming Dutch may cost you Dutch nationality.
• Nationality is only acquired after taking the declaration of solidarity at the naturalisation ceremony.

What are the main requirements?

Besides age, identity and the five-year residence rule, you must hold a qualifying residence permit at the time of application, throughout the procedure and on the day of the ceremony. The IND lists these as an asylum or regular permanent residence permit, a long-term EU resident permit, a temporary permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay, a residence permit as a family member of an EU national, residence under EU law as a national of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, or an Article 50 TEU Withdrawal Agreement document for UK nationals and their family members.

Your permit must still be valid on the ceremony date, so you should apply for an extension if it expires during the procedure. You must also not be a danger to public order or national security, be willing to make the declaration of solidarity, and have your name determined if it does not consist of a first name and surname.

How do I apply and what documents do I need?

Book an appointment at your municipality. Staff discuss the requirements with you, check your documents and complete the application form and declarations with you. You pay for the application at that appointment; the page does not state the fee amount.

Core documents are a valid passport or other travel document, a birth certificate from your country of origin, proof of lawful residence and a civic integration diploma or exemption certificate. Official foreign documents must be legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German, unless they are already registered in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP). If you cannot obtain a passport or birth certificate, an exemption for lack of documentary evidence may be granted.

How long does it take?

The municipality sends your application to the IND and you receive an acknowledgement of receipt by post stating the decision period, which is 12 months. You can follow progress in My IND. If the application is rejected, you can apply for review. If it is approved, the IND asks the King to grant you Dutch nationality, and the King must sign.

Can children be included?

A child under 18 cannot apply alone but can be included in your application. For children under 16, the child must live in the Netherlands and hold a valid permanent permit or a temporary permit with a non-temporary purpose, valid until the ceremony; children aged 12 and above must attend the submission and give their view. For 16 and 17-year-olds, the child must have lived in the Netherlands for at least 3 years in a row, attend, agree to inclusion and be willing to make the declaration of solidarity. If only one parent applies, the other parent may submit a statement objecting to the child's naturalisation. Children not included can be naturalised later, as can a child who reached adulthood during the procedure and was rejected for that reason.

Is there a faster route?

The IND notes that an option application is sometimes possible and is faster and easier: you usually do not have to renounce your nationality, do not have to prove integration, and the costs are lower than for naturalisation. Different requirements apply. Applicants living abroad do not need a Dutch residence permit but must meet the requirements for a residence permit with a non-temporary purpose.

What this means for travellers and residents

Anyone considering Dutch nationality should first check whether they meet the residence, permit and integration conditions, and whether they are required to renounce their current nationality before applying. After the ceremony you receive the naturalisation decision and can then apply for a Dutch passport.

The IND advises applicants to understand the renunciation rules before submitting a request. Further details on exceptions to the five-year term, renunciation and civic integration are set out on its website.