Becoming a Dutch national outside the Netherlands or in the Netherlands Caribbean

Last update: 20 March 2024

You wish to become a Dutch national. You live in Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba. Or you live in another country outside the Netherlands. Read about the requirements and how to apply for Dutch nationality.

Who can apply for Dutch nationality abroad?

The Kingdom of the Netherlands includes the European part of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the public bodies Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. If you have a residence permit to live in the Netherlands Caribbean: in Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba, or if you live in another country outside the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and you wish to apply for Dutch nationality, this information will be useful to you.

Requirements

To become a Dutch national you need to apply for Dutch nationality. You can do this by means of a naturalisation application. It may be possible to obtain Dutch nationality more quickly by means of an option application.

Additional requirements application outside  the Netherlands

Are you applying for Dutch nationality outside the Netherlands or in the Netherlands Caribbean? Please, take into account these possible additional requirements:

 

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  • Country of nationality

    open minus
  • Naturalisation application outside the Netherlands

    open minus
  • Civic integration when living the Netherlands Carribean

    open minus
  • Public order policy in the Netherlands Caribbean

    open minus
  • Applying for option outside the Netherlands

    open minus

Applying for naturalisation and option outside the Netherlands

The authority to which you apply for naturalisation or option depends on where you live.

  • Abroad: Dutch embassy or consulate.    
  • Aruba, Curaçao or Sint Maarten: Cabinet of the Governor.
  • Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba: counter of the IND Carribean Netherlands.

Decision on your application

Are you applying for naturalisation? Your application will be sent to the IND in the Netherlands. Are you applying in Aruba, Curaçao or Sint Maarten? Then the authority to which you apply will also give an advice to the IND about the assessment. The IND will process the application and makes a decision.

Are you applying for option? Your application will be processed by the Dutch embassy or consulate, the Cabinet of the Governor or the IND Caribbean Netherlands unit. The relevant organisation will make a decision. The IND in the Netherlands will not be involved in the assessment of your application.

A positive decision means approval of your application for becoming Dutch. A negative decision means rejection of your application for becoming Dutch.

See also

 

Rules and regulations

Responsible organisation

Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst

Questions?

Contact us

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