Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

Foreign nationals who have already chosen the Netherlands as their home are doing so with perseverance and hope, despite facing challenges such as relatively lower salaries compared to other European countries and a significantly high tax burden. Extending the citizenship eligibility period from 5 years to 10 years risks sending a discouraging message to this community.

If this bill is passed, many skilled expats may reconsider their long-term future here and instead move to countries where their contributions are better recognized, and pathways to integration and stability are faster and clearer. This would not only harm the attractiveness of the Netherlands as a global talent hub but also lead to a potential brain drain at a time when the Dutch economy needs skilled professionals to remain competitive.

Therefore, the government should not pursue the 10-year rule. Maintaining the current 5-year citizenship pathway is critical to sustaining expat motivation, retaining talent, and ensuring the Netherlands continues to be seen as a welcoming and forward-looking country.