4 ways to obtain Dutch (dual) citizenship without completing the integration exams

Dutch citizenship can be obtained through birth, naturalisation or option. The option procedure is not widely known, but it can be relevant for expats, especially those with long-term residence in the Netherlands.

A great benefit of the option procedure is that (apart from one exception), you do not have to renounce your original nationality. You also do not have to pass an integration exam. 

This article focuses on four different option categories. For more information about the naturalisation procedure and dual citizenship, please read our earlier articles about dual citizenship in general and on how to regain your original nationality after renouncing it. 

Category 1: Adult born in the Netherlands* with uninterrupted main residency since birth and legal residency 

* In this article, the term (Kingdom of the) Netherlands also refers to Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, or the public bodies of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.

In order to be able to apply for Dutch citizenship in this category, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of the option request.
• Have been born in the Netherlands.
• Have had uninterrupted main residence in the Netherlands since birth until the option request has been confirmed. Moving between the European and Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is allowed if the main residence is continuous.
• Be legally residing in the Netherlands at the time the option request is confirmed.

Legal residence means a valid residence permit. Main residence means that you spend most of your time in the Netherlands and have a continuous registration in the Dutch municipal database (BRP). 

You are not required to renounce your original nationality and will become a dual citizen if the country of your other nationality also allows dual citizenship. 

Category 2: Adult with legal and main residency in the Netherlands since at least the age of four

In order to be able to apply for Dutch citizenship in this category, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of the option request.
• Have had continuous legal and main residence in the Netherlands since the age of 4 (or before) until the confirmation of the option.

Note that, in principle, you must renounce your other nationality. This is the only option category that requires this. However, some countries do not allow the loss of nationality. In such cases, you cannot renounce your citizenship, and you therefore become a dual citizen.

Discuss your citizenship options with immigration lawyer Hermie de Voer

Category 3: Spouse or registered partner of a Dutch citizen for at least three years and uninterrupted legal and main residency in the Netherlands for at least 15 years 

In order to be able to apply for Dutch citizenship in this category, you must:

• Have been married to one and the same Dutch citizen for at least three years. Registered partnerships are treated the same as marriage. The spouse must hold Dutch nationality at the time of confirmation of the option, but not necessarily during the entire three-year period.
• Have had uninterrupted legal and main residence in the Netherlands immediately prior to the confirmation of the option for at least 15 years. 

You are not required to renounce your original nationality and will become a dual citizen, provided the country of your other nationality also allows dual citizenship. 

Category 4: Adult above 65 with uninterrupted legal and main residency in the Netherlands for at least fifteen years 

In order to be able to apply for Dutch citizenship in this category, you must:

• Be at least 65 years old at the time of the option request.
• Have had uninterrupted legal and main residence in the Netherlands for at least 15 years immediately prior to the confirmation of the option. Gaps between residence permits or gaps in the main residence interrupt the 15-year period, so you will have to start counting again.

You are not required to renounce your original nationality and will become a dual citizen, provided the country of your other nationality also allows dual citizenship.

Further conditions

Other criteria that apply to the above four option categories are:

• You have not acquired Dutch nationality through the option procedure before.
• You do not pose a serious threat to public order, morality, or the safety of the Kingdom.
• You are willing to make a statement of allegiance.

Under certain conditions, minor children can share in the option request of a parent and become dual citizens, provided the country of the other nationality also allows dual citizenship. 

Other options

If the above option categories are not applicable to you but you have a Dutch parent or are a former Dutch citizen, another option category could be relevant for you. There are currently 17 different option categories.