Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

I would like to express my concerns regarding the proposed extension of the naturalization period from five to ten years.
I have been living in the Netherlands for almost four years now. When I moved here, I accepted and planned my future according to the existing rules, including the five-year requirement for naturalization. Changing the rules retroactively for people who are already in the process feels unfair. It is similar to starting a university program of three years, only to be told midway that it has suddenly been extended to ten years.
If the government wishes to implement such a significant change, it would be more reasonable to apply it only to people who move to the Netherlands after the new law takes effect. That way, new arrivals know the conditions from the start, while those already building their lives here are not disadvantaged.
If the intention is to strengthen the requirements for integration, I believe there are better ways than extending the waiting period. For example, raising the language requirement from A2 to B1 or making the KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society) exam more demanding would better reflect the need for integration into society, while still being fair to those who already planned their lives under the five-year rule.
For these reasons, I do not support the proposed extension to ten years in its current form.