Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed amendment to the Kingdom Act on Dutch Citizenship (Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap, NWN), which seeks to extend the naturalization period from five to ten years and revise certain exceptions.
While the aim of strengthening long-term integration is understandable, this proposal may have unintended negative consequences, particularly for the Netherlands’ attractiveness to highly skilled migrants and international professionals.

1. Impact on Attracting Global Talent
The Netherlands has established itself as one of the most appealing destinations for highly skilled migrants due to its innovation-driven economy, inclusive social framework, and clear route to permanent residence and citizenship.
Extending the naturalization period to ten years risks reducing this competitiveness. Comparable countries such as Germany (8 years, reducible to 6), Belgium (5 years), and Portugal (5 years) offer shorter or more flexible paths to citizenship. A longer waiting period could make highly skilled workers reconsider the Netherlands as a long-term destination, potentially affecting key sectors already facing labor shortages.

2. Integration and Inclusion
Research shows that timely access to citizenship fosters stronger civic participation, social belonging, and economic engagement. Extending the timeline may delay these benefits and inadvertently signal exclusion to well-integrated migrants who already contribute significantly to Dutch society. Integration is better achieved through inclusion and opportunity rather than prolonged legal uncertainty.

3. Transitional and Legal Fairness
If implemented, it is essential that the new rule applies only to expats and residents arriving after the date of enforcement. Individuals currently residing and integrating under the existing five-year framework have legitimate expectations regarding their path to citizenship. Retroactively applying the new rule could undermine confidence in the predictability and fairness of Dutch immigration policy.

4. Recommendation
Before implementation, the government should:
Conduct an impact analysis on economic and demographic effects, especially for high-demand sectors;
Introduce clear transitional arrangements for current residents;
Consider differentiated criteria or expedited routes for highly skilled migrants and graduates contributing to the Dutch economy.