Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

The current five-year naturalization period already provides a fair and reasonable timeframe to understand how well someone has integrated into Dutch society. Extending it to ten years doesn’t necessarily make anyone more “Dutch.” Instead, it risks discouraging highly skilled migrants from choosing the Netherlands, even though this country stands out as one of the best places in the world to live, work, and raise a family.

On a personal note, our children have been in Dutch schools for three years now — learning the language, culture, and values every single day. The uncertainty around our future and the long wait for a passport make things difficult, especially for families like ours who are genuinely trying to belong here.

Adding to that uncertainty, if we were to lose our jobs during this period, we only have three months to find another position — otherwise, we are required to leave the country. This constant pressure makes it even harder to feel secure and settled, despite our deep connection to the Netherlands.

I truly believe the current five-year period strikes the right balance. It gives enough time for people to integrate and show their commitment, while also allowing families to build stable, meaningful lives in the Netherlands without unnecessary anxiety or fear of losing everything we’ve built.