Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

I respectfully urge the government to retain the current 5-year naturalisation requirement rather than extending it. The current legal framework requires five years of lawful residence plus civic and language tests before naturalisation is granted.

Extending the waiting period would postpone access to important political and practical rights that flow from citizenship. Only Dutch nationals can vote in national and provincial elections and be eligible for many offices and public-sector jobs that require citizenship. EU citizenship rights (such as freedom of movement across the EU and consular protection from other Member States’ embassies outside the EU) also depend on nationality. These are not symbolic only — they affect everyday safety, political voice, and access to livelihoods.

There is no clear evidence that longer waiting periods improve integration. OECD reviews and peer-reviewed studies show positive effects of naturalisation on labour market and civic outcomes, and some studies that make use of changes in residency requirements find that earlier access to citizenship can benefit long-term economic integration. Given this evidence, policy should focus on effective integration supports — such as language training, access to work, recognition of qualifications, and anti-discrimination measures — rather than delaying citizenship.

Thank you for considering the impacts on democratic participation, protection abroad, and practical integration outcomes when assessing proposed changes.