Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

I strongly oppose the proposal to extend the minimum residency requirement for naturalisation from 5 to 10 years. This change would unnecessarily delay access to fundamental rights and deepen exclusion for long-term residents who are already integrated into Dutch society.

Extending the naturalisation timeline postpones access to a wide range of rights that are essential for full participation in Dutch and EU society:

It delays my right to vote in national and EU elections, and the ability to run for public office.

It postpones my access to freedom of movement across the EU, consular protection from any EU embassy, and democratic participation at the European level.

It prevents my access to a Dutch passport, eligibility for certain public sector jobs, and automatic citizenship for children born abroad.

In times of crisis (e.g. war or unrest), only citizens receive guaranteed consular protection and evacuation support from the Dutch or EU governments. As such I will have to request consular protection from my country, who might not be able to provide it as efficiently and to the full extend that EU countries can.

Citizenship is a formal acknowledgment of belonging. Extending the timeline sends a message that even long-term residents are not truly welcome. As a skilled worker, I am being bundled with other groups of migrants, who might be less motivated to integrate fully than what I am. Forcing me to wait for 10 years because other groups aren't as motivated as I am to integrate is a form of group punishment. Rather look at how those groups can be better incentivised, or separately acted upon failing to do so.

There is no evidence that a longer wait improves integration outcomes. The current 5-year requirement already includes civic and language exams. I urge the government to maintain the existing timeline and focus on strengthening integration support instead.

Why instead of changing the law to make one wait 10 years, don't you change the law to penalize those who have not completed the process successfully within 5 years? Why not say if you don't have your inburgeringsdiploma after 5 years you have to leave the country within 3 months, unless you can satisfactorily motivate why you should be granted an extension?