Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

I recognise the Dutch Government’s commitment to fostering integration and civic participation among newcomers. However, extending the naturalization period from five to ten years may not achieve the intended aim of “strengthening integration” and could, in practice, undermine it.

1. Motivation to Integrate
Integration is most effective when newcomers have a clear, achievable path to citizenship. Doubling the timeline reduces urgency to invest in language skills, civic involvement, and nation-building activities, as the tangible benefits of citizenship are postponed far into the future.

2. Comparative Example – Switzerland
Switzerland requires ten years of residence for non-EU nationals, alongside strict local integration and language criteria.
FSO data for 2022:

Immigration: 190,068 persons
Emigration: 118,087 persons
Net migration: +71,981 persons
Yet Switzerland records year-on-year increases in emigration, particularly among long-term non-EU residents facing lengthy paths to citizenship and limited political participation. This illustrates how prolonged uncertainty over naturalization can drive onward migration rather than sustained integration.

3. Impact on Highly Skilled Migrants
Highly skilled migrants under the Netherlands’ 30% ruling often plan their careers and residency around the current five-year naturalization threshold. Extending it to ten years would mean:

Many depart after five years when tax benefits end
Relocation to EU countries with shorter timelines (often =5 years) and no requirement to renounce original citizenship (e.g., Belgium, Portugal, France)
Reduced retention of experienced professionals who contribute substantially to innovation and tax revenues
4. Summary Observation
International evidence, including Switzerland’s experience, shows that longer naturalization timelines don’t necessarily strengthen integration and may encourage emigration among both non-EU residents and highly skilled migrants. In the Dutch context, such a change could alter settlement patterns and weaken long-term retention of skilled workers.