Dutch expats who adopt a second nationality are set to be exempt from draft legislation aimed at stopping people from having two passports.

On Thursday D66 parliamentarian Gerard Schouw won support from the ruling VVD and CDA parties for his plan to amend legislation aimed at stopping dual nationality. The amendment would allow Dutch expats to take a second nationality without losing their Dutch passports.
Last year it emerged the government’s plans to bring in new restrictions on dual nationality will also hit thousands of Dutch expats living abroad, leading to a high-profile campaign against the plans.
Proud
‘We are proud of those Dutch nationals who export our knowledge and expertise,’ CDA parliamentarian Mirjam Sterk is quoted as saying.
According to the D66 website, a second proposal from Schouw, which would have made dual nationality possible for more people, was not backed by the ruling parties.
‘If someone comes to the Netherlands, we think he or she should renounce their other nationality,’ VVD MP Cora van Nieuwenhuizen is quoted as saying by Nos television.
Controversial
Although it appeared earlier that the dual nationality legislation would be dropped following the collapse of the government, Labour MPs have insisted on pressing ahead.
Labour, which opposes the plan, says it took the decision to continue with the legislation so that people who will be affected by the plans know where they stand as soon as possible.
In March, the Council of State said the government should reconsider the plans, stating that ‘nationality and loyalty are not automatically the same thing’. Around 1.1 million of the 16.7 million population of the Netherlands have two nationalities.
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