Becoming Dutch

Do you live in Leiden or Noordwijk and do you want to apply for Dutch nationality? You can do this in 2 ways: through naturalisation or through option. In both cases, you become Dutch with the same rights and duties, but there are different conditions.

Watch the video about becoming Dutch on the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The IND website also provides the conditions for naturalisation and option.

Register foreign documents first

If you want to become Dutch through naturalisation or option, it’s important to first register your foreign documents with the municipality. This includes documents for birth, marriage, or divorce. For more information, visit the “Register foreign documents for use in the Netherlands” page.

Conditions to become Dutch through naturalisation

• You have lived in the Netherlands for more than 5 years with a valid residence permit. You do not need a residence permit if you are from a country in the European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland.
• You have always extended your residence permit on time.
• For all the conditions, visit the IND website.

The IND will process your application and you will receive a decision from them.

Conditions to become Dutch through option

Not everyone can apply for option. Visit the IND website to find out who can apply for option and what the conditions are.
The municipality processes your application, and the mayor makes the decision.

Pre-research

Do you currently live in the municipality of Leiden or Noordwijk? Then you must first request a pre-research at the municipality of Leiden. This pre-research is needed to apply for naturalisation or option.

What happens after your request?

• Have you sent all the documents for the pre-research? Then we will schedule an appointment with you at the Stadskantoor. During this appointment, you will submit your application to become Dutch.
• If you have not sent all the necessary documents or if they are insufficient, we will inform you what you still need to submit. After that, we will schedule an appointment at the Stadskantoor.
• Do you not have a DigiD or cannot complete the pre-research online? Call to make an appointment at the Stadskantoor. The phone number is 14 071.

The official application at the Stadskantoor

During your appointment at the Stadskantoor, you will submit your official application to become Dutch. This application has a fee. You must pay this fee even if your application is rejected by the municipality or the IND.

• If you want to become Dutch through naturalisation, the IND will decide on your application. This takes up to 1 year. The IND can extend this by 1 more year.
• If you want to become Dutch through option, the municipality will decide on your application. This takes up to 13 weeks. This period can be extended once by another 13 weeks.

The naturalisation ceremony

If your application to become Dutch is approved, the municipality will invite you to the naturalisation ceremony. If you live in Noordwijk, the municipality of Noordwijk will send you an invitation for the ceremony.

• At this ceremony, you will take the “declaration of allegiance.” Read the brochure to find out what the “declaration of allegiance” is.
• The naturalisation ceremony is an important event. You will only become Dutch if you attend this ceremony.

How long does it take?

• If you want to become Dutch through naturalisation, the IND will decide on your application. This takes up to 1 year. The IND can extend this by 1 more year.
• If you want to become Dutch through option, the decision from the municipality will take up to 13 weeks. The municipality can extend this by 13 weeks.

Costs

For more information on the costs to become Dutch, visit the website of the Dutch Association for Civil Affairs (NVVB) (in Dutch).

More information