Municipality of Oosterhout: applying for Dutch citizenship by naturalisation

The following requirements apply to naturalisation:

• You must be 18 years or older.
• You can prove your identity and nationality with valid documents.
• You have lived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for at least 5 consecutive years with a valid residence permit. You have always extended your residence permit on time. In some cases you can apply for naturalisation earlier. Find out about exceptions to the 5-year term.
• At the time of your application for naturalisation, you have one of the following residence permits:
  • An asylum permanent residence permit or regular permanent residence permit.
  • A residence permit as a long-term EU resident.
  • A temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay.
  • A resident permit as a family member of an EU national (including stay with minor Dutch child, ruling Chavez-Vilchez).
  • You have residence pursuant to EU law because you have the nationality of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland. You do not need to have a residence permit.
  • A residence document Article 50 TEU Withdrawal Agreement Brexit (in Dutch: Terugtrekkingsakkoord Brexit) for UK nationals and their family members.
• On the date of the naturalisation ceremony, you have a valid residence permit or you still have a valid right of residence under EU law.
• You have fulfilled the integration requirement. This means you must have passed the civic integration exam on at least language level A2. Sometimes you are exempted form the civic integration exam. For example, because you can already read, write, speak and understand Dutch to a sufficient level. For more information about the civic integration requirement, go to our webpage Civic integration for more secure residence permit and naturalisation.
• You are not a danger to the public order or national security of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• You must renounce your current nationality. There are exemptions to this rule. Find out if you are required to renounce your nationality and what that means for you before you request naturalisation.
• You must be willing to make the declaration of solidarity during the naturalisation ceremony. You hereby declare that you are aware that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands also apply to you.
• You must have your name determined if your name does not consist of a first name and a last name (surname). Your first name and surname will then be determined together with you

If you meet the conditions, you can make an appointment for your naturalisation application.

You must apply for Dutch nationality at the municipality. Contact the municipality of Oosterhout via the contact form or call +31 162489911.

What to bring:  

• A valid foreign passport
• A valid residence permit
• If applicable: birth certificate
• If applicable: marriage certificate
• For naturalization, proof that you have integrated into the Dutch nationality system, such as a diploma, integration diploma, or proof of exemption.

Depending on the country of origin, birth certificates and marriage certificates must be legalized or apostilled and translated into Dutch. You can inquire with the municipality about the exact submission requirements.

After reviewing your application, the municipality will contact you to schedule an appointment for the official application. You will pay the application fee.

You pay a fee for this service. For more information, contact the municipality.

• The municipality assesses whether you meet all conditions for naturalisation and provides the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) with advice. The municipality sends your file to the IND.
• The IND checks whether you meet all conditions and takes a decision. The IND must take a decision within 12 months. If you have any questions about the application in the meantime, you can contact the IND.
• You officially become a Dutch citizen only after the naturalisation ceremony.
• You can apply for a Dutch travel document 1 week after the naturalisation ceremony.