Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

Raising the required period for obtaining Dutch citizenship from 5 years to 10 years would have serious negative consequences for the economic and social future of the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is currently facing major challenges such as a shortage of young and skilled workers, a rapidly aging population, and economic pressures caused by inflation. In this context, highly educated and skilled migrants are not a burden but rather a valuable human capital. They learn the language, pursue higher education, and prepare to enter the labor market, thereby becoming part of the solution to the country’s challenges.

However, making citizenship requirements more difficult sends a very discouraging message to this crucial group of migrants. Such a policy will not only reduce their motivation to stay and invest in the Netherlands long-term but will also push many young and talented professionals to move to neighboring countries with better conditions. The result will be a lose–lose outcome:
• The Netherlands will lose valuable human capital.
• Migrants who have invested years of time, effort, and resources in this country will eventually be forced to leave.

Therefore, extending the citizenship period is not aligned with the real needs of the country and ultimately goes against the long-term interests of Dutch society.