How can you obtain the Dutch Nationality?

If you do not automatically have the Dutch nationality by law, you may be able to obtain it by means of the option procedure or the naturalisation procedure. To qualify for these procedures, you must meet certain conditions. Even if you meet all conditions, both procedures take time.

The conditions for the option procedure and the naturalisation procedure are complicated. The information on this website is intended to help you but it may not be complete in parts. You should contact the Office of the Governor of Curaçao in good time to learn about the conditions and the procedure to be followed. You can telephone the Office of the Governor on +5999 4618555 on weekdays between 14:00 and 16:00 o’ clock.

Obtaining the Dutch nationality by means of the option procedureTo qualify for the option procedure, you must fit in one of the special categories of foreign nationals named in the Netherlands Nationality Act (Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap).

You qualify for the option procedure if you meet one of the following requirements:

  • You are aged 18 or over and were born in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and have lived there continuously since birth. If you are in this category and were born in Curaçao, you must submit proof of residence in each year since your birth, for example by means of primary school reports, baptism certificate, confirmation certificate, etc.;
  • You were born in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and are living there legally for an uninterrupted period of at least three years and have been stateless since birth;
  • You are living in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for an uninterrupted period of at least 15 years and are married to the same Dutch national for at least three years;
  • You are aged 65 or over and are living legally in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for an interrupted period of at least 15 years;
  • You are aged 18 or older, are a former Dutch national and are living in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for at least one year. If you are in this category, see also the brochure published by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND);
  • You are a minor and were acknowledged by law or by establishment of paternity by a Dutch national after April 1st, 2003 but before March 1st, 2009, provided you were acknowledged before your seventh birthday;

There are also other categories for the option procedure. They are named in the Netherlands Nationality Act and in the brochure “Hoe kunt u Nederlander worden?”

The accompanying diagram shows which steps have to be taken to obtain the Dutch nationality by means of the option procedure.
Download “Optie wie doet wat?”

Obtaining the Dutch nationality by means of the naturalisation procedureThe naturalisation procedure is also subject to strict conditions. You must meet all the following conditions to qualify for naturalization. You must:

  • Be aged 18 or older;
  • Be sufficiently integrated. To demonstrate that you are sufficiently integrated, you must sit the Civic Integration Examination in Dutch and Papiamentu. You may be exempted from the Civic Integration Examination if you have certain certificates or diplomas. You may also be exempted on medical grounds or if you have very special individual circumstances. You should contact the Office of the Governor of Curaçao in good time if you think you qualify for an exemption;
  • Living in the Kingdom of the Netherlands legally for an uninterrupted period of at least five years before making your request. This will be verified by means of the residence permits you submit. In certain circumstances, you may have lived legally in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for an uninterrupted period of less than five years. These shorter periods are:
    1. Three years if you are married to and lived with the same Dutch national throughout that period;
    2. Three years if you are the unmarried partner of a Dutch national and you live together in the Kingdom of the Netherlands throughout that period;
    3. Two years if you have resided in the Kingdom of the Netherlands with a valid residence permit for at least 10 years, of which the last two years continuously.

To qualify for a shorter period, you must be sufficiently integrated, as noted above.

Naturalisation of minors as part of the same request

  • You can simultaneously request the Dutch nationality for you and your children aged under 18 years. A number of conditions apply, one being that the children are living with you when the request is made and that they have valid residence permits.

Additional conditions may also be set. They are named in the Netherlands Nationality Act (Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap) and in the brochure “Hoe kunt u Nederlander worden?”

In 2024, the costs for an option at the Cabinet of the Governor are:

  • NAf 423,- for a single request
  • NAf 721,- for a joint request
  • for accompanying children NAf 47,- per child.

In 2024, the costs for naturalization at the Cabinet of the Governor are:

  • NAf 1.994,- for a single request
  • NAf 2.544,- for a joint request
  • for accompanying children NAf 294,- per child.

The accompanying diagram shows which steps have to be taken to obtain the Dutch nationality by means of the naturalisation procedure.
Download “Naturalisatie wie doet wat?”