If you have Dutch citizenship, it's possible for you to have a Dutch passport. Here's what you need to know about applying for a Dutch passport for the first time, including the costs and requirements, and what to do if your passport expires, or is lost or stolen.
To apply for a Dutch passport in the Netherlands (passport aanvragen) you must visit the town hall of the municipality (gemeente) where you are registered. You must go yourself in person; it is not possible to have someone else apply for you.
When you visit the gemeente, you must bring the following documents with you:
When you submit your application at the gemeente, you must also pay a processing fee. Below we have listed the fees charged for a Dutch passport in the Netherlands and abroad. Note that these are the maximum fees, and you may end up paying less.
| Age | Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 18 years | 65,70 euros |
| 18 years and over | 86,85 euros |
| Age | Fee |
|---|---|
| under 18 years | 144,40 euros |
| 18 years and over | 165,70 euros |
The processing time for a Dutch passport is roughly five working days. However, if you are applying for your first Dutch passport, it is wise to request a passport well in advance of any travel plans in case you need additional documentation.
If you urgently require a new passport, you can make use of the expedited passport service (spoedprocedure). With this service, it's possible to get your new passport as soon as the next working day if you lodge your request at your gemeente before 2pm (this can differ per municipality). This process incurs a higher fee.
When your passport is ready, you can pick it up from the gemeente. Alternatively, you can also have your new passport delivered to your home address. If you want your passport to be delivered, be sure to mention this when you submit your application. You will usually have to pay a small fee for postage and packing.
Dutch passports and identity cards are valid for 10 years for adults and for five years for children under the age of 18.
It is not possible to "renew" a Dutch passport; instead you must request a new one by following the above procedure. If you hold dual nationality, it is extremely important that you get a new Dutch passport before your current Dutch passport expires. Otherwise, you can risk losing your Dutch nationality.
It's also worth noting that many countries around the world require you to have at least six months of validity on your passport before allowing you to enter. If your passport is nearing its expiry date, you should organise getting a new one as soon as possible.
If you lose your passport in the Netherlands, the action you should take depends on where the passport was issued.
If your Dutch passport is lost or stolen then you must do a declaration (aangifte) with the Dutch police or gemeente, depending on the city or province.
If you live in or around Amsterdam, or in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe or Limburg, then you must go to the police to declare your passport lost or stolen. If you live in other areas of the Netherlands, you can do a statement of loss (verklaring van vermissing) directly at your local gemeente.
If your foreign passport is lost or stolen in the Netherlands, it is recommended to file a report with the Dutch police to avoid identity theft. You will need to contact the embassy or consulate of your home country in the Netherlands to arrange a new passport or replacement travel document.
If you are a Dutch citizen living abroad and you want to apply for a Dutch passport, you can visit the Dutch consulate or embassy in your country of residence. You will need to make an appointment, fill in a passport application form (paspoortaanvraagformulier) and then bring the form and necessary supporting documents to your appointment at the embassy or consulate.
The delivery time for a Dutch passport requested abroad is several weeks, as the documents must be produced and shipped from the Netherlands. If additional information is required, the process can take even longer. It is therefore wise to request a passport well in advance of the expiry date of any travel documents or of any travel plans.
It is also possible to apply for a new Dutch passport from abroad by post in certain Dutch municipalities, which offer slightly lower fees.
Whether you can have one or more passports in addition to a Dutch passport depends on the conditions under which you gained Dutch citizenship. Some of the most common circumstances where dual nationality (and therefore having two or more passports) is possible are:
The Dutch passport is recognised as one of the world's most powerful passports, as it grants access to 191 countries without needing to apply for a visa. With a Dutch passport, it is also possible to move and reside freely within other countries of the European Union.