Applying for Dutch citizenship

Would you like to become a Dutch citizen? You can do so through option or naturalization. You can apply for this at the municipality.

You can also Make an appointment a video call.

Call 045-5605040

Approach

How to apply for Dutch citizenship:

Make an appointment at the municipality where you are registered.
Please Bring along the appointment:
- your valid proof of identity
- a valid residence permit or other proof of legal residence
  (this is not necessary if you come from a country in the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland )
- your birth certificate
- for a naturalization request:
  - your integration diploma
  - if you have it: your marriage certificate
  - if you have one: a report of the initial or further hearing
You pay when you apply.
You will receive a letter with the decision and, if applicable, an invitation to the naturalization ceremony.

The municipality handles option requests itself. In the case of naturalization requests, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) decides whether you will become a Dutch citizen.

Your documents, such as your birth certificate, must be in Dutch, English, French, or German. Is the document written in another language? If you are from the European Union, request a multilingual standard form from your country of birth. Are you from outside the European Union? Have the document legalized and translated.

Health you have your passport or identity card to hand.

By phone Make an appointment video calling

Call 045-5605040. Tell them you would like to make an appointment for a video call. The call can take place from your home or another location that is convenient for you. What do you need and how does it work?

Costs

The option procedure costs:

for you alone: €231.00 (2025) / €241.00 (2026)
for a married couple or registered partners: €395.00 (2025) / €412.00 (2026)
for a minor for whom you are also submitting a request: €26.00 (2025) / €27.00 (2026)

Naturalization costs:

for you alone: €1,091.00 (2025) / €1,139.00 (2026)
for a married couple or registered partners: €1,393.00 (2025) / €1,454.00 (2026)
for a minor for whom you are also submitting a request: €161.00 (2025) / €168.00 (2026)

Are you stateless? Or do you have an asylum residence permit (document III or IV)? Then naturalization costs:

for you alone: €811.00 (2025) / €847.00 (2026)
for a married couple or registered partners: €1,114.00 (2025) / €1,163.00 (2026)

You pay this when you submit your application.

(Rates for 2025/2026)

Description

There are two ways to apply for Dutch nationality: by option or by naturalization. Option is the fastest way. Not everyone can obtain Dutch nationality by option. The municipality will determine whether this applies to you.

Are you unable to obtain Dutch nationality through option? Then you can obtain Dutch nationality through naturalization. In order to naturalize, you must first integrate.

Has your application to become a Dutch citizen been approved? If so, the municipality will invite you to a naturalization ceremony. After the ceremony, you will be a Dutch citizen. You can then apply for a Dutch passport or identity card.

Requirements

Requirements applying for Dutch nationality are:

You are of legal age.
You have a residence permit. Or you come from a country in the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland.
You have not been convicted of a crime in the past 5 years.
You meet the Requirements option or the Requirements naturalization.

Are you applying on behalf of your child? The Requirements for this Requirements :

At the time of application, your child is residing in the Netherlands.
Your child has a residence permit.
Is your child 16 or 17 years old? Then your child must have lived in the Netherlands legally and continuously for at least 3 years before applying.

Term

The municipality decides on option requests. The municipality will make a decision within 13 weeks of receiving your application. If this is not possible, the municipality may extend this period once.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) decides on naturalization requests. It takes up to two years to assess and approve your request. In most cases, it takes less than a year.

Objections and appeals

You can object to the decision regarding your option request. Do this within 6 weeks. If you disagree with the ruling on the objection, you can lodge an appeal with the court.

You can appeal against the decision on your naturalization application to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).