Getting Dutch citizenship will become harder — the government plans to extend the residency requirement to 10 years!

Big news from the Netherlands: the government wants to make it harder to get Dutch citizenship. They’ve approved a proposal to increase the required time of legal residence from 5 to 10 years.

Right now, anyone who has lived in the Netherlands for at least five years with a valid residence or work permit can apply for citizenship. But if the new law is passed, you’ll need to prove 10 full years of living legally in the country before you can apply.

The proposal still needs to be reviewed after the parliamentary elections in October 2025, but experts believe it will most likely be approved — maybe with just a few small adjustments. This means that by the time the new government starts working, the rule could already be on its way to becoming law.

What does this mean for foreigners living in the Netherlands?

• You’ll have to live in the country for at least 10 years before applying for citizenship.

• All those years must be proven with valid residence or work permits — time spent without legal documents won’t count.

• The process will also include tougher integration checks: your Dutch language level, how well you’ve adapted to local life, your financial stability, and your criminal record will all be reviewed more closely.

• If you’ve already started your naturalization process, it’s a good idea to submit your documents soon — before the law officially changes. That way, your application will still be processed under the current 5-year rule.

Overall, this change shows that the Dutch government wants to make sure people applying for citizenship are well-integrated and truly settled in the country. But for many foreigners, it also means a longer wait and stricter requirements.