Giving up or losing Dutch nationality

If you no longer want the Dutch nationality, you will make a "waiver. You must then hand in your Dutch identity document.

You can also lose Dutch nationality in other ways. For example, you lose Dutch citizenship if you voluntarily adopt another nationality.

You also lose Dutch nationality if the government revokes your Dutch nationality. This happens, for example:

• If you committed fraud in obtaining Dutch nationality
• If you have been convicted of a crime against the Dutch state

Your children

Do you renounce your own Dutch nationality? This may have consequences for your children:

• A child under 12 years old automatically loses Dutch nationality if both parents renounce. But only if the child also has another nationality.
• A child aged 12 to 15 does not automatically lose Dutch nationality if the parents renounce. The government first asks the child's opinion. Does the child want to keep the Dutch nationality? Then the government considers whether this is allowed.
• A child of 16 or 17 may choose whether to lose Dutch citizenship if the parents renounce. Does the child want to? Then it must renounce it itself.

You may also lose your Dutch nationality in another way. This may have consequences for your children. Read the information about this from the Ministry of Security and Justice.