New Dutch Plan Would Double the Wait for Citizenship to 10 Years
The cabinet backs raising naturalisation from 5 to 10 years, but the 5-year rule still applies until Parliament and the Senate approve a new law.
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The Dutch cabinet wants to double the standard time you must live in the Netherlands before you can apply for citizenship by naturalisation, from 5 years to 10 years. Ministers approved moving the plan forward; a draft law still has to go through Parliament and the Senate before anything changes. For now, the current rule remains 5 years (with some exceptions).
Who Would This affect?
If the law passes, most people who plan to become Dutch via naturalisation (the regular route after long-term residence) would need 10 years of legal, continuous residence before applying. Today, it’s 5 years, and there are exceptions (for example, for certain spouses/partners, former Dutch citizens, or people who lived here longer in the past). Those exceptions exist under current rules, and the details of any future exceptions under a 10-year rule are not yet published.
Why The Change?
Supporters in government say a longer period would strengthen integration and align citizenship with a deeper bond to the country. Critics warn it would delay rights such as voting in national elections and could make the Netherlands less attractive for talent. News outlets report the move has political backing in the Lower House, but the legislative text and timelines are still to come.
What Does NOT Change?
Passport validity: For adults, a Dutch passport or ID is valid for 10 years (5 years for minors). This is separate from how long you must live here before applying for citizenship.
Other routes to become Dutch: The option procedure (a faster route for specific cases, like some former Dutch citizens) still exists under current law. Any impact of a 10-year change on option cases has not been announced.
Where things stand today
As of now, the IND pages still show 5 years as the standard residence time for naturalisation, with listed exceptions. Until a new law is passed and takes effect, the 5-year rule applies. If you are close to qualifying under the current rule, consider checking your municipality and IND pages for updates and timing.