Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to respectfully express my concerns regarding the proposal to extend the naturalisation period from 5 years to 10 years.

When many of us decided to make the Netherlands our home, the law and official policy clearly stated that after 5 years of legal residence we would be eligible to apply for Dutch citizenship. This expectation has guided our decisions: to invest in language learning, careers, education, and family life, with the belief that after five years we could fully belong.

Changing this rule retroactively would undermine the principle of legal certainty and weaken trust in the reliability of government. The Netherlands has long been admired as a country where people can rely on the stability of the law and the fairness of its institutions. Maintaining that reputation requires honoring the conditions under which people have built their lives here.

For this reason, I strongly urge that any extension of the naturalisation period include a transition provision. Those who began their residence under the existing 5-year rule should be allowed to complete their path to citizenship under those terms. This would ensure fairness and uphold the credibility of the Dutch legal system.

Without such a safeguard, many long-term residents would feel treated unjustly, despite having lived, worked, and integrated in good faith under the rules as they were presented. A transition period is not only practical, but also an affirmation of Dutch values of justice, trust, and reliability.

Thank you for your consideration.