Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

I respectfully oppose the proposal to extend the naturalisation residence requirement from 5 to 10 years.
I have lived and worked in the Netherlands for three years as a highly skilled migrant and fully support the Dutch values of integration, participation, and fairness. However, doubling the waiting time for citizenship would harm both residents and Dutch society without clear benefit.
The current 5-year period already ensures that applicants are well integrated they live here continuously, pay taxes, learn the language, and participate in society. Extending this to 10 years would not improve integration but instead delay the moment when people can fully belong, vote, and take responsibility as Dutch citizens. Citizenship is a crucial step that strengthens commitment to the Netherlands, not something to be postponed unnecessarily.
This proposal would also make the Netherlands less attractive to international talent compared to other EU countries, most of which maintain a 5-year path to citizenship. Skilled migrants and their families plan their lives based on predictable rules; changing the timeline mid-way undermines confidence in Dutch policy consistency.
Moreover, a longer waiting period would increase administrative workload for the IND and municipalities, as more residents would need to renew permits for several extra years. This adds cost and bureaucracy without measurable gains in integration.
If the government's goal is to promote integration, it would be more effective to invest in Dutch language education, civic participation, and local community initiatives not to extend residence time. Time alone does not equal integration; opportunity and inclusion do.


I therefore urge the government to maintain the current 5-year requirement and instead focus on policies that encourage active participation and commitment to Dutch society. This approach reflects the Netherlands' tradition of fairness, openness, and pragmatism.