1. What Is Law and What Is Still Policy?

The current IND naturalisation rules still require adults to have lived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for five consecutive years with an eligible residence permit, unless an exception applies. Applicants must also meet the civic-integration requirement, currently set at at least A2, or qualify for an exemption.

A political proposal to change the system should not be confused with a law that is already in force. The current government has discussed a new asylum-naturalisation route involving temporary residence permits for a total of six years and B1 Dutch. That is a policy direction, not the current general naturalisation rule.

This distinction matters because older online articles claimed that B1 would become mandatory for every naturalisation applicant from 1 July 2026. The current IND naturalisation information still lists A2.

2. Two Clocks: Residence Time vs. Card Validity

One of the most common misunderstandings concerns the difference between the length of a residence card and the number of years a person has actually lived legally in the Netherlands.

For example, someone who entered the Netherlands in August 2025 and received a five-year temporary asylum residence permit in October 2025 does not have five years of residence simply because the card is valid for five years.

3. The Five-Year Naturalisation Rule

The standard naturalisation period remains five consecutive years of lawful residence immediately before the application.

The previously proposed extension from five years to ten years has not become the general rule. Until a new law is formally enacted and given a starting date, applicants should follow the rules currently published by the IND.

There are exceptions to the standard five-year route. For example, some people married to or registered partners of Dutch citizens can qualify after three years of living together, subject to the applicable conditions.

The residence permit also matters. Some temporary residence purposes, such as study, are generally not sufficient for naturalisation on their own. Applicants may need to change to a residence purpose that qualifies.

4. A2 Is Still the Current Requirement

As of September 2026, the current IND naturalisation information still lists A2 as the minimum civic-integration level for the naturalisation procedure, unless an exemption applies.

People who hold recognised Staatsexamen NT2 qualifications can also use them as evidence of language proficiency under the applicable rules.

This should not be confused with the civic-integration route under the Wet inburgering 2021. Some people have a B1 target in their municipal integration plan, but that does not automatically mean B1 is currently required for every Dutch citizenship application.

5. What Changed for Asylum Residence?

The European Migration and Asylum Pact began applying on 12 June 2026. One important change in the Netherlands is that new permanent asylum residence permits are no longer issued under the previous system.

New asylum residence is generally temporary. This creates an important difference for people who hope to become Dutch citizens later.

The current naturalisation rules require an eligible residence status at the relevant stages of the procedure. A temporary asylum residence permit generally does not itself satisfy that requirement.

This does not mean that people with an asylum background can never become Dutch citizens. Depending on their circumstances, they may later qualify through another residence status, such as EU long-term resident status or another eligible non-temporary residence purpose.

The government has discussed a future route in which people with temporary asylum residence could potentially naturalise after six years and with B1 Dutch. Until legislation is adopted, however, this remains a policy proposal rather than a new naturalisation requirement.

6. Ukrainians and Temporary Protection

Many Ukrainians living in the Netherlands are not using the standard Dutch asylum residence system. They are protected under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Temporary protection for people from Ukraine has been extended until 4 March 2028.

Temporary protection provides a legal basis to stay and access rights such as work and accommodation under the applicable Dutch rules. It is not, however, itself a standard non-temporary residence purpose for naturalisation.

Someone living in the Netherlands under temporary protection should therefore not assume that time spent under that status automatically creates a direct route to Dutch citizenship.

People who want to remain in the Netherlands after temporary protection ends should examine whether they qualify for another residence permit, such as a work or family-based residence permit. The requirements are case-specific.

7. Which Residence Permits Count?

The residence permit held by the applicant is one of the most important parts of a naturalisation application.

9. Giving Up Your Previous Nationality

For many adults, Dutch naturalisation includes a requirement to renounce their previous nationality. There are, however, several exceptions.

The exact rules depend on the applicant’s nationality and personal circumstances. Marriage or registered partnership with a Dutch citizen can be relevant to an exception, while other exceptions may apply in specific situations.

Do not rely on a general country list alone. Nationality and renunciation rules can change, and the IND should be checked when preparing an actual application.

For Turkish citizens, for example, Dutch naturalisation can involve renunciation of Turkish nationality and potentially applying for a Turkish Mavi Kart afterward. The exact consequences should be checked with the relevant Turkish authorities before making the decision.

10. The Option Procedure

The option procedure is a separate and often simpler route to Dutch nationality for people who fall within specific statutory categories.

It can apply to certain people born in the Kingdom, long-term residents and people who meet specific family or residence conditions.

The municipality normally has 13 weeks to decide on an option application. The period can be extended once by up to another 13 weeks.

Not everyone who has lived in the Netherlands for several years qualifies for option. Most adult newcomers who do not meet one of the statutory categories use naturalisation instead.

11. Children and Naturalisation

Children can sometimes be included in a parent’s naturalisation application. The exact conditions depend on the child’s age, residence status and family situation.

Because children’s nationality applications can depend heavily on the family situation, parents should check the exact IND requirements before submitting the municipal application.

12. Exams, Exemptions and Public Order

The standard naturalisation route requires the applicant to demonstrate the required civic-integration level unless an exemption applies.

Recognised qualifications, including certain NT2 diplomas, may be used instead of the standard integration examination where the rules allow it.

Exemptions can also exist for specific medical or other legally recognised circumstances. The procedure for proving an exemption depends on the type of exemption claimed.

Public-order requirements are another important part of the application. Criminal convictions, pending proceedings and certain other sanctions can affect eligibility.

13. 2026 Naturalisation Fees

Additional costs can include language examinations, document legalisation, translations and the Dutch passport application after citizenship has been granted.

Fees can change, so applicants should check the current IND tariff before submitting an application.

14. From Municipality to IND and Ceremony

A naturalisation application is submitted through the municipality where the applicant lives.

The municipality checks the documents and sends the application to the IND. The IND then assesses whether the applicant meets the legal requirements.

The legal decision period for naturalisation can be up to 12 months.

If the application is approved, the applicant must attend the naturalisation ceremony and make the required declaration. The person becomes Dutch after completing the ceremony requirements.

15. Which Route Applies to You?