Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen
Reactie
Naam
|
Anoniem
|
Plaats
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Eindhoven
|
Datum
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30 september 2025
|
Vraag1
U kunt op de gehele regeling en memorie van toelichting reageren.
As a highly skilled migrant in the Netherlands, I find the proposal to increase the naturalisation period really discouraging. Many of us came here because we value what this country offers and we already contribute by working, paying taxes, and being part of society. Extending the wait for citizenship feels like a barrier rather than an incentive to integrate.
Citizenship is not just a formality. It gives a sense of stability and belonging that motivates people to build their lives here long term. If the waiting period is stretched too far, it risks having the opposite effect. People may start to feel like outsiders even after years of living and working in the Netherlands.
The argument that more time leads to better integration is questionable. In reality, citizenship often helps people integrate faster, because it provides security and allows them to fully participate in society. For families, especially children, this stability can make a huge difference in education and social development.
There is also a fairness issue. Highly skilled migrants are actively recruited to bring knowledge and expertise to the country, but if the rules make citizenship harder to reach, some might reconsider whether the Netherlands is the best place to settle. Competing countries are making it easier, not harder, for skilled workers to stay and integrate.
In short, increasing the naturalisation period may look like a simple policy adjustment, but for those of us who have already chosen to invest in this country, it feels like a step backwards.