Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

The Dutch government’s plan to double the naturalization period from 5 to 10 years might sound like a push for stronger integration, but it risks weakening the economy, straining healthcare, and hurting social cohesion.

1. It Hurts the Economy
The Netherlands relies on global talent for sectors like AI, green energy, and biotech. A 10-year wait sends the wrong message: “Work here, but don’t expect to belong.” This discourages skilled migrants, reducing tax revenue and investment—while countries like Canada and Germany are fast-tracking citizenship to attract talent.

2. It Slows Innovation
Startups and tech leaders need stability. A decade-long wait for citizenship makes the Netherlands less appealing to innovators and entrepreneurs.

3. It Worsens Healthcare Shortages
Hospitals already face critical staff gaps. Skilled healthcare workers prefer countries where they can settle quickly. A 10-year timeline pushes them elsewhere, increasing pressure on an aging system.

4. It Won’t Solve the Housing Crisis
The housing shortage—396,000 homes in 2024, projected to hit 453,000 by 2027—is about construction delays and policy failures, not naturalization rules.

5. It Undermines Social Cohesion
Longer waits don’t improve integration—they create second-class residents who pay taxes but lack rights for a decade. Inclusion drives integration, not exclusion.

6. It Sends the Wrong Signal
The Netherlands has always been open and innovative. This policy suggests the opposite—at a time when global talent is more mobile than ever