What’s your situation?
If you voluntarily acquire another nationality, you will almost always lose your Dutch nationality. This is set out in the law and cannot be prevented. As of 1 April 2003, however, there are certain exceptions where you will not lose your Dutch nationality.
Exceptions
- You were born in the country of your other nationality. And you live there at the time you acquire that nationality.
- You lived for an uninterrupted period of at least 5 years before the age of 18 in the country of your other nationality.
- You are married to or in a registered partnership with someone who holds the other nationality.
These exceptions do not apply if you acquire Austrian nationality. In that case, you will still lose your Dutch nationality.
Do you fall under one of the exceptions and do you acquire another nationality in addition to the Dutch nationality? Then continue reading under 'I have dual nationality'.
If you have another nationality besides Dutch and you have lived for at least 13 consecutive years outside the EU, Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten, you will lose your Dutch nationality if you don't renew your passport or identity card within 13 years of when it was issued. This does not apply if you or your spouse/partner work for the government of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao or St Maarten.
Brexit
If you have dual nationality and live in the United Kingdom (UK), the 13-year period starts on 1 January 2021. That is the date on which the UK left the European Union. Did you move to the UK after 1 January 2021? Then the 13-year period starts from the day you moved to the UK.
Making sure you do not lose your Dutch nationality
If you live outside the EU, Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten with dual nationality, you can make sure you do not lose your Dutch nationality. You can do that by renewing your Dutch passport or identity card within 13 years of when it was issued. As long as you receive your new passport or identity card within the 13-year period, you will keep your Dutch nationality.
Instead of renewing your passport or identity card, you can also apply for a certificate of Dutch nationality in order to avoid loss of Dutch citizenship. You can only do this if you have held a Dutch passport or ID card before.
Have you never held a Dutch passport or identity card before? And did you acquire Dutch citizenship through naturalisation or the option procedure? If so, you can prove when you became a Dutch citizen by showing supporting documents.
On 1 April 2022 the time limit for loss of Dutch nationality was changed from 10 to 13 years. If the 10-year time limit for your document expired before 1 April 2022, you will lose your Dutch nationality because the new 13-year time limit does not apply to you.
Renewing your passport or ID card at the embassy or consulate
You can renew your passport or identity card at a Dutch embassy or consulate-general, at a border municipality or at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. In some cases you will need extra documents because you have dual nationality.
It can take up to 3 months to get your new passport or identity card after you submit your application. If you apply for a new passport or identity card within the 13-year time limit but do not receive it until after the time limit expires, you will lose your Dutch nationality. Check on what date it will be 13 years since your passport or identity card was issued and make an appointment to renew it at least 3 months before that date.
Applying for a passport or ID card if you live outside the Netherlands
Applying for a certificate of Dutch nationality
Instead of renewing your passport or identity card, you can also apply for a certificate of Dutch nationality in order to avoid loss of Dutch citizenship. A Dutch nationality certificate costs less than a passport or identity card. You can apply for one by email if your Dutch passport or identity card is still valid. The certificate cannot be used for travel.
You cannot apply for a Dutch nationality certificate if you have never held a Dutch passport or ID card.
Applying for a certificate of Dutch nationality if you live outside the Netherlands
Losing Dutch nationality because of a government decision
You can also lose your Dutch nationality through a decision by the Dutch government. This may happen if you acquire Dutch nationality by fraudulent means. Or if you become a member of a group that threatens the Netherlands’ national security.
Can my child lose the Dutch nationality?
If you lose your Dutch nationality, then your minor child may also lose its Dutch nationality. This happens when both parents no longer have the Dutch nationality. There are exceptions where your child does remain a Dutch citizen.
Read more about the loss of Dutch nationality for children under 18
Regaining Dutch nationality
Find out how to regain your Dutch nationality if you’ve lost it.
If you don’t know whether you still have Dutch nationality, first check whether you’ve lost your Dutch nationality.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.