Ministerie van Justitie, Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst

The report that hidden Dutch citizens, or latent Dutch citizens, are able to obtain a Dutch passport, has appeared in various media. It only concerns a legislative proposal. It will not become a law until the Upper and Lower House have adopted the legislative proposal. Thereafter, the Minister of Justice will decide when the law will enter into effect. Currently, this means that persons who think they qualify cannot do anything at this time. It will not be possible to submit an option request until the Act has entered into effect. A Dutch passport cannot be applied for until the option statement has been confirmed and the announcement of the granting of Dutch citizenship has been issued at a ceremony.

What are latent Dutch citizens?
Latent Dutch citizenships are people born before 1985. Until that time, only children with a Dutch father could automatically obtain Dutch citizenship. After 1985, the mother was also able to pass on Dutch citizenship. A lot of people did not make use of the temporary transitional scheme for children born after 1985. These latent Dutch citizens are now as yet offered the opportunity to obtain a Dutch passport.

Temporary residence rights in the Netherlands
There are perhaps at this time persons in the Netherlands who may qualify for the future option arrangement and who are now residing in the Netherlands without or almost without a valid residence permit.

The State Secretary for Justice has indicated that she is currently assessing the possibilities for a temporary solution and the conditions subject to which these persons could be granted residence rights.

Please bear in mind that it could take one year before the Act will actually enter into effect.