Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my concern and opposition to the proposed amendment to the Dutch Nationality Act (Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap), which seeks to extend the required period of lawful residence for naturalization from five to ten years.

As a highly skilled migrant who moved to the Netherlands two years ago, I came here with the sincere intention to build my life, contribute to Dutch society, and eventually become a citizen after fulfilling the current five-year requirement. I have already invested significant effort in integrating into Dutch society—learning the language, understanding the culture, and contributing to the economy through my work and taxes.

Changing such an essential requirement retroactively would be deeply unfair to those of us who made major life decisions based on the existing legal framework. The principle of legal certainty is a cornerstone of a stable democracy. People must be able to rely on the laws in force at the time they make their life plans. Applying this change to individuals already residing and integrating in the Netherlands would undermine trust in the Dutch legal and political system.

Furthermore, extending the naturalization term to ten years would have several negative effects. It would discourage integration by delaying the sense of belonging and participation that comes with citizenship, including the right to vote and fully engage in civic life. It could also make the Netherlands less attractive to highly skilled professionals, who are essential to the country’s innovation and competitiveness.

I therefore respectfully urge the government not to proceed with this proposal in its current form. If the change is deemed necessary, it should apply only to new residents arriving after the law’s enactment—not retroactively to those who are already living, working, and integrating here under the current five-year expectation.

Thank you for considering this feedback. I remain committed to the Netherlands and its values and hope that any legal changes will continue to reflect fairness, stability, and respect for those who contribute positively to this country.

Yours faithfully,