Dual Nationality Bill Revived: A Lifeline for Dutch Beyond Borders

Introduction

D66 and the GroenLinks-PvdA alliance have reintroduced a private members’ bill aiming to dismantle stringent barriers around dual nationality for Dutch citizens. This renewed initiative seeks to safeguard individuals who would otherwise be left stateless—and reinforce the Netherlands’ commitment to global connectivity and inclusion.

The Issue: Dual Nationality in the Netherlands

Historically, Dutch nationality law has been among the strictest in Europe:

• Most new Dutch citizens must renounce their original nationality unless married to a Dutch national.

• Dual nationals risk losing citizenship if they live outside the Netherlands and EU for over ten years or voluntarily acquire another nationality—unless special exemptions apply.
  

These rules often leave Dutch citizens abroad with no passport, especially when their country of origin may withdraw their nationality, creating real personal and practical hardships.

What’s in the Bill?

• Dual nationality for expats: Citizens living abroad would be able to hold a second passport without losing Dutch nationality.

• Reclaiming lost nationality: Those who involuntarily lost Dutch nationality since 2003 could regain it via a simplified procedure.

• Ending forced renunciation: Immigrants naturalising in the Netherlands would no longer be required to give up their original nationality.
  

Notably, D66’s Jan Paternotte and GroenLinks-PvdA’s Songüt Mutluer cite countries like Bahrain, Russia, Nicaragua, and Kuwait—where individuals have found themselves passport-less—as driving motivation for reform.

This proposal updates a longstanding push for reform, with D66 and PvdA having previously submitted similar drafts. But this time, the initiative incorporates greater sensitivity to expat experiences and legal burdens.

Why It Matters

• Protection and belonging: Dutch citizens who lose their nationality due to residence or acquisition of another citizenship often find themselves stripped of EU travel and voting rights. This the SNBN calls a “danger zone.”

• SNBN’s reaction: Eelco Keij, chair of the Stichting Nederlanders buiten Nederland (SNBN), celebrated the renewal of the bill, stating: “The Netherlands is aeons behind … it is high time Dutch politicians liberate the over a million Dutch people living abroad from the practical, financial, emotional as well as trade barriers.”

• European context: With Germany and Denmark allowing dual citizenship, the Netherlands remains among just a small handful of EU countries—notably alongside Austria—that still broadly disallow dual nationality.
  

Conclusion

This revived dual nationality bill embodies Support, Direction & Clarity by addressing the needs of Dutch citizens across borders, simplifying legal pathways, offering reconnection for those involuntarily disenfranchised, and aligning national law with the realities of global mobility. Its successful passage would mark a vital step toward inclusivity, practicality, and modern citizenship.

Key Takeaways

Questions	Answers
Who’s behind it?	D66 (Jan Paternotte) and GroenLinks-PvdA (Songüt Mutluer).
Why now?	To protect Dutch citizens abroad who could lose all nationality and enhance legal clarity.
Main provisions?	Allow dual nationality; restore nationality lost since 2003; no forced renunciation.
Beneficiaries?	Expats, involuntarily denationalised individuals, newcomers to the Netherlands.
Stakeholder support?	Endorsed by SNBN; increasing alignment with EU norms.

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