Tentative steps planned to reform some dual nationality rules

The government is planning to revise part of the legislation on Dutch citizenship following pressure from Dutch nationals abroad who are faced with losing their passports.

Junior justice minister Eric van der Berg has told MPs he will rethink the way Dutch nationals automatically lose their nationality if they live away from the Netherlands for more than 10 years and have another nationality.

In addition, he said the government will introduce a new option for them to reclaim their Dutch nationality back if it was lost after April 2003.

The minister said he aimed to publish the plans in the first quarter of next year and put them out to consultation.

Eelco Keij from the foundation for Dutch nationals abroad SNBN told Dutch News that the minister’s plans do not go far enough.

‘We think that the rule “automatic loss, unless” should become “no automatic loss, unless” – a complete flip,’ he said.

‘Moreover, introducing a new yet completely restricted way to get Dutch citizenship back for some people makes no sense to all – as if the pain from losing Dutch citizenship is more bearable if you lost it before April 2003.’

The Netherlands has extremely strict rules on dual nationality. In order to become Dutch most people have to renounce their original nationality, unless they are married to a Dutch citizen.

As yet, the government has no plans to change this.