Dutch Citizenship Lawyer

Advice or proceedings? Ask for a free introductory meeting.

Experienced in Dutch immigration and residence permit law

Dutch nationality is acquired either by naturalisation, on which the IND decides, or by the option procedure, a declaration at the municipality that is open only to a limited number of groups. Law & More establishes which route is open to you, assembles the file and acts after a refusal, in Dutch and English. The first step is a free introductory meeting in which we look at your residence history, your descent and your current nationality.

Clients rate Law & More 9.6 out of 10 on Klantenvertellen, the Dutch review platform (81 reviews, as of October 2026).

What can we help you with?

checking whether you meet the conditions for naturalisation;
establishing whether you belong to one of the groups that can use the option procedure;
calculating your residence period, including gaps between permits;
the renunciation requirement and the exceptions that allow dual nationality;
proof of Dutch nationality by descent, for instance for a passport application;
an objection or appeal after a refusal;
how the request interacts with your residence permit or work-related permit.

What are the conditions for naturalisation?

You must be of age, have no objections to residence for an indefinite period, have had lawful admission and main residence in the Kingdom for at least five years immediately before the request, be considered integrated and be willing to make the declaration of solidarity. These conditions are set out in Article 8 of the Dutch Nationality Act.

Two misunderstandings are common. There is no income requirement: the Act does not impose one. And the five-year period is not absolute: paragraphs 2 to 6 of Article 8 provide shorter periods for certain categories, among them former Dutch nationals, those married to or living in a durable relationship with a Dutch national for three years, and stateless persons.

Integration is assessed on the basis of knowledge of the Dutch language and of Dutch society. A recurring point is a gap between permits: a permit that lapses before the next application is filed interrupts the count of lawful residence and shows up when the five-year period is tested.

When can a naturalisation request be refused?

Article 9 of the Dutch Nationality Act contains separate grounds for refusal, including serious suspicions that the applicant poses a danger to public order, morality or the security of the Kingdom. A request can also be refused if the applicant has not done everything possible to lose another nationality.

Under Article 9(4) the decision is taken within one year, a period that may be extended at most twice by six months. Refusals commonly turn on the public order assessment, a dispute about the renunciation requirement, doubt about identity documents or a miscalculation of the residence period. All of these can be contested with documents and argument.

Who can use the option procedure?

Only the groups listed exhaustively in Article 6 of the Dutch Nationality Act. Option is not a request but a declaration at your municipality, and the only question is whether you belong to one of those groups.

The groups include, among others, the adult foreign national born in the Kingdom who has had admission and main residence there ever since, the person who has had admission and main residence since the age of four, the former Dutch national, the person aged 65 or over with fifteen years of admission and main residence, and certain stateless and recognised minor children. Under Article 6(5) the decision follows within thirteen weeks of receipt of the declaration, extendable once by at most thirteen weeks.

Option is not a route based on descent. Anyone who is Dutch by descent holds that nationality by operation of law from birth and needs no procedure; what may be needed is proof of it.

Can you keep your current nationality?

The main rule is the renunciation requirement: a person who naturalises must do everything possible to lose another nationality. Article 9(3) makes exceptions, among others for the spouse of a Dutch national, for those born in the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao or Sint Maarten with main residence there, and for recognised refugees.

There are also exceptions for nationals of states party to certain treaties in this field. The requirement is an obligation of effort, bounded by the law of the other state: some states do not permit renunciation, or attach conditions that cannot reasonably be met. Whether loss is in fact possible therefore depends on that other legal system.

How does working with Law & More work?

Introductory meeting: we discuss your residence history, descent and nationality, free of charge.
Advice and cost estimate: we establish which route is open and whether the conditions are met, and estimate the costs.
File and filing: we assemble the documents, the residence history and, where relevant, the case for an exception, and guide the filing at the municipality or the IND.
Decision, objection or appeal: we review the decision and conduct objection and appeal proceedings where needed.

What does a Dutch citizenship lawyer cost?

The introductory meeting is free of charge. After that we work on an hourly basis, and we agree the rate and the expected effort with you in advance.

Lawyer: 250 to 350 euros per hour, excluding VAT.
Partner: 300 to 400 euros per hour, excluding VAT.
One-off advice meeting without further assistance: 300 euros including VAT.

Law & More does not work on legal aid (toevoeging). Legal aid exists through the Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand), but we do not work on that basis. Municipal and IND fees are charged separately; current amounts are published on ind.nl.

Who handles your case?

Your case is handled by Ruby van Kersbergen and Michelle Marjanovic. You can read more about their background on our team page.

Which related services may be relevant?

Your question may touch on other areas as well. These pages explain how we can help.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an income requirement for naturalisation?

No. Article 8 of the Dutch Nationality Act does not impose one. The conditions are majority, no objections to residence for an indefinite period, five years of admission and main residence, integration and willingness to make the declaration of solidarity. Your residence status does have to be in order, and income can play a part there.

How long does a naturalisation request take?

Under Article 9(4) the decision is taken within one year, extendable at most twice by six months. Actual processing times are published on ind.nl. Dutch nationality takes effect only after the declaration of solidarity has been made at the ceremony.

May I keep my original nationality?

The main rule is that you must do everything possible to lose it. Article 9(3) provides exceptions, among others for the spouse of a Dutch national, for those born in the Kingdom with main residence there, and for recognised refugees. Whether renunciation is in fact possible also depends on the law of the other country.

What is the difference between option and naturalisation?

Option is open only to the groups exhaustively listed in Article 6 and runs through a declaration at the municipality. Naturalisation is a request decided by the IND, with integration and residence-period conditions. Option is faster: thirteen weeks, extendable once, against one year for naturalisation.

What deadline applies to an objection?

Six weeks under Article 6:7 of the General Administrative Law Act, starting the day after the decision is notified (Article 6:8). Naturalisation and option decisions are not Aliens Act decisions, so the four-week immigration deadline does not apply. If the objection is rejected, an appeal to the district court is open; see objections against IND decisions.

In doubt about your position? Tell us about your situation. We will let you know within one working day what your options are. Use our contact form, call +31 40 369 06 80 or e-mail info@lawandmore.nl.

Law & More, Marconilaan 13, 5612 HM Eindhoven (+31 40 369 06 80) and visiting location Pietersbergweg 291, 1105 BM Amsterdam (+31 20 369 71 21). Available Monday to Friday 08:00-22:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00-17:00.

This page provides general information and does not replace advice on your specific situation.