Renouncing or losing Dutch nationality

If you no longer wish to hold Dutch citizenship, you must renounce it. To do so, you must submit a “declaration of renunciation.” You must also return your Dutch identification card.

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 to obtain Dutch citizenship
• 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 can also have consequences for your children. Read the information about this from the Ministry of Justice and Security.

The Requirements for the "waiver" are:

• You are 16 years of age or older.
• You have another nationality.

It is possible for a 16- or 17-year-old to make the waiver only if the parents do the same.

Information about losing the Dutch nationality on Rijksoverheid.nl

Information on losing Dutch nationality as a minor

Information on Minors and loss of Dutch nationality from Ministry of Justice and Security