A Quick Guide on Acquiring Netherlands Citizenship for Indians

The spread of globalisation has made it a common practice to travel and develop a better career path. Indians, like other nationalities, attempt to move to countries like the Netherlands to explore such possibilities. Getting citizenship in the Netherlands can help them live and work here without restrictions and travel across the EU.

Curious to know more about citizenship in the Netherlands for Indians? This article will give a comprehensive guide regarding the process.

If you plan to get citizenship in the Netherlands for Indians, you must meet the set eligibility criteria. These conditions are listed below.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• They must have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years as a Dutch permanent resident.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading and writing Dutch is a necessity.
• Applicants must have integrated into Dutch society.
• They must avoid criminal offences such as training orders, custodial sentences, community service orders, or large financial penalties. 

There are various ways of getting Dutch citizenship. For instance, if you are born in the Netherlands with at least one Dutch parent, you are a Dutch citizen by birth. Apart from that, if you have lived in the Netherlands for a long time and met other requirements, you can get Dutch citizenship by option.

There is another option, which is by law or family relations. When Dutch parents adopt a foreign child, the child gets Dutch citizenship by this option. Finally, you can get Dutch citizenship through naturalisation. You can get this if you have lived there as a PR for about five years and meet the other requirements.

Now, the question is how to get citizenship in the Netherlands? The following steps can guide you through the process.

Step 1: Attempt the Civic integration examination and try to pass it. Renounce your previous citizenship.

Step 2: Procure a citizenship application form from your local municipality. Start filling it with your accurate details.

Step 3: Gather all the required documents. Submit the form to the municipality office with the application fees.

Step 4: Wait for the authorities to approve your application. Attend your naturalisation ceremony with a solidarity declaration.

If you are wondering how to get a citizenship in the Netherlands for Indians, you must be aware of the documents to be submitted with an application. These are listed below.

• Passport
• Residence permit
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Civic integration certificate or equivalent diploma

The Dutch government requires the applicants to pay a certain amount while submitting a citizenship application. For example, an adult applicant must pay €976.08 as an application fee. On the other hand, the application fee for the naturalisation of two people together as partners can be up to €1245.66. This amount is non-refundable irrespective of the final decision regarding the application.

Unfortunately, the Netherlands does not allow dual citizenship. Therefore, the foreign applicants applying for Dutch citizenship must renounce their past nationality. Without doing this, they will not be eligible for this citizenship.

You can bring your family to the Netherlands with a permanent residence if you are a Dutch citizen. However, there are no proper means of applying for citizenship for an entire family. On the other hand, children can easily apply for Dutch citizenship through family ties. Having a Dutch relative can help you get a sponsor for your application. Moreover, if you are married to a Dutch spouse, you can apply for citizenship after living together here for about three years.

A child born in the Netherlands with at least one Dutch parent can get citizenship by birth. Moreover, children born outside the Netherlands with a Dutch parent or grandparent can get Dutch citizenship by descent. However, if both the parents are non-citizens, the child will have to apply for citizenship after turning 18 or having lived here for at least five years.

Now that you know how to apply for Dutch citizenship, you must try to avoid the common mistakes that can prevent its approval. The common reasons for rejection are listed below. As an applicant, you should try to avoid making these in your application.

1. Application errors

Silly mistakes and errors in the application form can give incorrect data to the immigration experts. This becomes a problem when they start verifying your documents. Ultimately, it can cause rejection of your citizenship application on the ground of dishonesty. Hence, avoid this issue in your application.

2. Dual citizenship

The applicants must renounce their previous nationality while applying for Dutch citizenship. If they fail to do so, and the immigration experts find out about this, the application will face rejection. Hence, you must renounce your previous citizenship while applying here.

3. Criminal records

The Dutch government usually avoids including people with a criminal history as Dutch citizens. Hence, your citizenship application might get rejected if you have past or ongoing criminal convictions or prison sentences. Therefore, try to avoid getting into incriminating circumstances by following Dutch law.

Therefore, as this article observed, getting citizenship in the Netherlands for Indians can help them live, study or work here. They can also be able to access travel across European countries without visas. However, while getting citizenship, you must meet all the required eligibility conditions and maintain a good record of residency in the Netherlands.