Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

The residency requirement for naturalization plays a crucial role in shaping the Netherlands’ ability to attract talent, foster integration, and provide legal certainty for migrants. The current five-year requirement has proven to be effective in balancing these objectives. A proposed change to extend this period is likely to generate several negative outcomes.

1. Attractiveness to Highly Skilled Migrants
Extending the naturalization period risks diminishing the Netherlands’ appeal to highly skilled professionals, who often weigh pathways to citizenship as a decisive factor when selecting a destination country. A longer period may discourage such individuals from choosing the Netherlands, thereby reducing the country’s competitiveness in the global talent market.


2. Integration and Social Cohesion
The possibility of acquiring Dutch citizenship within a reasonable timeframe serves as a strong incentive for newcomers to integrate, participate actively in Dutch society, and build long-term connections. Extending the requirement could weaken this motivation, leading to slower integration and reduced social cohesion.


3. Impact on Current expats
Individuals who are already in the process of naturalization with the legitimate expectation of qualifying within five years would face significant uncertainty and potential disadvantage if the requirement were changed retroactively. This could undermine trust in the fairness and predictability of Dutch immigration policy.


In light of these considerations, it is recommended that the Netherlands maintain the current five-year residency requirement for naturalization. This approach preserves the country’s attractiveness to skilled professionals, supports integration and community engagement, and ensures fairness and stability for those already pursuing citizenship.