Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

I oppose the proposal to extend the naturalization period. This change will harm both the Netherlands and the highly skilled migrants who contribute to its economy and society.

1. Economic competitiveness
The Netherlands competes with other European countries to attract and retain highly skilled workers. By lengthening the path to citizenship, the Netherlands becomes less attractive compared to countries that provide faster and more secure integration. Talented professionals will choose other destinations, reducing the country’s ability to compete in fields like technology, healthcare, and research.

2. Prolonged insecurity
Highly skilled migrants already navigate complex rules for residence, housing, and work permits. Extending the naturalization period prolongs this insecurity and discourages long-term commitments such as buying a home, founding a business, or settling with their families in the Netherlands.

3. Weaker integration
Citizenship is a powerful motivator for integration. When people feel they belong, they invest more in learning Dutch, participating in local life, and contributing socially and economically. Extending the waiting period delays this sense of belonging and weakens integration rather than improving it.

4. Negative impact on families and children
Many highly skilled migrants raise children in the Netherlands. A longer naturalization process leaves families in limbo, with children unsure of their long-term status. This undermines their sense of stability and belonging during formative years.

5. Damage to Dutch values and reputation
The Netherlands is known for being open, innovative, and internationally minded. Extending the naturalization period sends the opposite signal: that even those who contribute significantly to society are kept at a distance for longer. This risks damaging the country’s global reputation as a welcoming place for knowledge and talent.

Conclusion
Extending the naturalization period is a short-sighted measure. It discourages talent from choosing the Netherlands, delays integration, harms families, and undermines Dutch values of fairness and openness. If the Netherlands wants to remain competitive and inclusive, it should focus on creating faster, clearer, and more supportive paths to citizenship, not longer and more uncertain ones.

Bijlage