Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

Dear Sir / Madam,

I strongly oppose the proposal to extend the naturalisation requirement from five (5) to ten (10) years.

For years, residents like me have contributed to Dutch society — working, paying taxes, and integrating under the clear framework of five years. To suddenly demand ten years is unjust and undermines trust in government. Do not move the goalposts after we have already played by the rules.

As a Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM), I came here at the invitation of the Netherlands to work in a leading Electrical Engineering company, bringing skills, knowledge, and investment. Professionals like me were encouraged to build careers and families here under the promise of a five-year path to citizenship. To now double that period risks damaging the Netherlands’ credibility as a reliable destination for international talent. Other countries compete fiercely for such professionals; delaying our integration weakens the Dutch knowledge economy itself.

This is not only about fairness, but also about principle. Legal certainty (rechtszekerheid) and legitimate expectation (vertrouwensbeginsel) require that current lawful residents be explicitly excluded. Otherwise, trust in Dutch institutions will be broken.

Five years promised, ten years imposed — this is not justice.

Trust is broken if loyal residents are punished with retroactive rules.

Legal certainty means honouring today’s residents, not rewriting the past.

This proposal should be withdrawn. At the very least, it must contain a clear grandfather clause for those already living here. Anything less would punish loyalty, contribution, and integration — the very qualities the Netherlands should value most.

Sincerely,
Resident since 2022