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Foreigners who have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years are entitled to apply for Dutch citizenship. The application is processed by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, in co-operation with the municipality in which the applicant lives. Once the applicant acquires Dutch nationality, he or she is entitled to vote in elections and able to become a member of the police force, the armed forces or the judiciary. Dutch citizenship often also enables visa-free travel.

To qualify for citizenship, the applicant must:

• be an adult (over 18)
  
• have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years or have been married to or cohabited with a person of Dutch nationality for at least three years
  
• have an indefinite residence permit
  
• be integrated into Dutch society and have a sufficient grasp of the Dutch language (this is assessed in an interview by a civil servant from the municipality in which the applicant lives)
  
• not have a criminal record
  
• renounce their former nationality (there is an exception clause).
  

Naturalisation has the following consequences:

• registration in the municipal register as a Dutch national
  
• removal from the aliens register
  
• underage children automatically become Dutch citizens.
  

Naturalisation costs 500 guilders. If your income is not higher than the level of a social security grant, you pay 250 guilders. A joint application with a spouse or partner costs 750 guilders.

Source: Ministry of Justice

Marriage

Naturalisation

Residence permits

Municipal registration