Netherlands Cancel 10 Year Wait for Citizenship But will Not Allow Two Passports

For expatriates dreaming of a Dutch passport, the latest coalition agreement brings a mixture of relief and frustration. While the incoming administration has officially discarded the controversial proposal to extend the mandatory waiting period to a decade, hopes for a modern approach to multiple citizenships have been dashed.

The 10-Year Residency Threat Evaporates

In a significant win for expats, the incoming cabinet has walked back the previous administration’s proposal to increase the residency requirement for naturalization from five years to ten. Legal analysts and immigration lawyers had previously described the 10-year plan as an act of desperation, but the new coalition document confirms that the standard timeframe will largely remain legally intact for most applicants.

However, specific groups will see changes. Refugees and holders of asylum residence permits will face a stricter timeline, with their requirement increasing to six years (effectively spanning two temporary residency permits).

For the vast majority of non-asylum migrants, the path to becoming a Dutch national remains anchored at the five-year mark. You can verify current residency requirements via the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

The Single Nationality Stance Remains

Despite trends across the European Union moving toward flexibility, the Netherlands is doubling down on its strict single-nationality principle.

Germany recently modernized its immigration laws to allow foreigners to retain their original passports upon naturalization. In stark contrast, the Dutch coalition agreement confirms there are no plans to amend the laws on dual nationality for newcomers. The Netherlands and Austria remain the primary EU outliers enforcing this restriction.

This creates a distinct asymmetry:

Newcomers: Must renounce their original citizenship to become Dutch (unless specific exemptions apply).
Dutch Abroad: The government promises that Dutch nationals living overseas will not lose their passports any quicker than citizens of neighboring countries, aiming to protect the diaspora.

Maarten Vink, a prominent professor in citizenship studies, criticized the plans on social media, labeling the approach ambiguous, morally inconsistent, and practically impossible. Legal experts argue this creates a two-tier system where those born Dutch have more rights regarding multiple passports than naturalized citizens.

Language Standards Set to Rise

While the residency duration remains stable for most, the cognitive bar for entry is being raised. The new coalition intends to increase the language proficiency requirement for the civic integration exams (Inburgering).

Currently set at level A2 (elementary), the requirement is slated to rise to B1 (intermediate). While the document is specific about this increase, it remains vague on how this will impact non-refugee applicants versus asylum seekers.

Summary of the New Dutch Citizenship Landscape

If you are planning your future in the Low Countries, here is what the Government of the Netherlands has effectively outlined for the coming years:

Dual Nationality: Remains largely prohibited for new applicants.
Residency Requirement: Stays at 5 years for regular migrants; increases to 6 years for refugees.
Language Requirement: Expected to jump from A2 to B1.

For Dutch nationals currently residing outside the country, specific rules regarding the retention of citizenship can be found at Netherlands Worldwide.