The Nationality Info Pages are prepared by Mr Paul Munsell and Kris von Habsburg.
Who are Paul and Kris?
Kris von Habsburg has lived abroad for more than 25 years (United Kingdom, Thailand, China, Ireland, Australia, US, etc) where he gained expat and migrant experience living and working internationally. Kris is Dutch and has another nationality. He has worked as a Dutch consular officer for a few years and gained knowledge on issues such as issuing passports, nationality law, immigration, consular assistance, etc. Kris advises various organizations (foundations) and politicians in this area. He gives informal advice to the public to ensure that people stay within the law and avoid nationality issues as much as possible. Kris is very concerned with the problems and suffering caused by the current Dutch nationality law. This can, amongst other things, divorce families and force abandonment onto the elderly, as he saw through his work in Australia. He quickly recognized how the nationality law affects (former) Dutch people and their families and that there are better ways.
Paul Munsell has lived abroad for about 30 years (USA, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland). He studied French and German Language and Literature at Georgetown University in Washington DC and George Mason University, Virginia. He then studied political science and law at the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris and the Université de Paris (Panthéon-Assas) in Paris. Paul founded the Facebook group “Netherlands / Dutch Nationality Law Changes 2010 & Latent Dutch”. According to the Dutch embassy in Washington, Paul was the first Dutch person in North America to use the Option statement in 2010 as “Latent Dutch”. Because official information from the government often gives rise to confusion or ambiguity, he likes to answer questions about Dutch citizenship, in support of the Dutch in foreign parts.
Why these info pages and not just a reference to the official government pages?
The government is criticized by many for the unclear information it provides. The National Ombudsman also reached this conclusion in 2016 after an inquiry. Despite that since then we have seen some improvement in the provision of information, it remains very limited. In addition, the government will not always independently explain how you can make use of the law and therefore what rights you have. Moreover, we unfortunately conclude that many mistakes are still being made by the government. For example, there are various reports about government employees who provide incorrect information, sometimes with disastrous consequences. This often stems from not knowing or fully understanding the nationality law. Moreover, the Dutch nationality law has many exceptions and conditions and is therefore very complicated. Individuals’ that share their own experiences and situations (sometimes years or decades later) on the internet and social media also creates confusion. For example, the law used to be slightly different and person A belonged to an exception, while person B now has to deal with the current law and / or probably has a different situation. With the following pages we hope to inform, warn and help people. The intention of these pages is that you are able to help yourself, find the solution and answers for yourself. If you need more help you can ask questions. However, before asking questions, we ask that you read the relevant information pages. We will also refer to legislation and / or other government pages on the pages. If you need more help you can ask questions. However, before asking questions, we ask that you read the relevant information pages. On these pages we will also link to relevant official law and/or other government pages.
Three important points to remember:
- The principle of the Dutch nationality law is that it does NOT permit having or obtaining another nationality. If you do, as a result you can automatically (without realising it) lose your Dutch nationality.
- There are some conditional exceptions that make it possible to have another nationality.
- Once you belong to an exception there is still the danger to later automatically lose Dutch nationality by the so-called ten-year clock (this can be prevented).
The most common exceptions
Did you receive your other nationality after April 1, 2003? Then you will lose your Dutch nationality (automatically, immediately and without the right to appeal), unless you belong to one of the exceptions. The current exceptions:
- You were born in the country of your other nationality. And you lived there when you took on the other nationality.
- Before reaching adulthood (18 years of age), you lived in the country of your other nationality for at least five years.
- You are married to someone who has the other nationality.
These exceptions do not apply if you acquire the nationality of Austria . Then you will lose your Dutch nationality. Read more on the info pages.
Politics and legislative changes
The authors are politically neutral and neither support nor oppose politicians or political parties. Of course, politics has a great influence on new legislation or changes and we hope that you will consider this issue when you vote. If you are Dutch you can vote, even when living in another country. If you, or your children, have a different nationality, it is wise to keep an eye on politics and future legislative proposals and changes as those changes are likely to affect you.
Thank You!
Our thanks to everyone who helps to inform and protect people. Special thanks to:
The Stichting GOED (Grenzeloos Onder Een Dak), an interest group organisation/foundation which also distributes this information and which initially asked us for this information.
The Stichting Nederlanders Buiten Nederland (SNBN), an interest group organsiation/foundation which also distributes this information.
And thanks to both organizations for the good cooperation and for co-publishing and informing people.
Copy info?
Other organizations, news, newspaper, radio, TV, information websites, and the like that wish to use our information are always welcome. Please contact us. Warning, do not copy the info without contacting us. We would like to know where the information is distributed so that everyone can update the information when there are updates.
DISCLAIMER
All information and advice must be verified by the reader himself before taking any action. Every advice on this website is to help you find the right answers and take you in the right direction. The information and advice here may contain inadvertent errors. The situation can vary from person to person. In addition, the law, as described here, may have just changed or may change in the (near) future.
The content on the website / web page is of a general informative nature. No rights can be derived from the information, you determine the value of the information for your own situation. You remain responsible for the actions you take or fail to take regarding your nationality. We also recommend, regarding your specific situation, to consult a specialist and / or lawyer on nationality and possible immigration legislation and can help you with this .
The owner of this website accepts no liability for any damage that may arise from the use of information or links on this website. The website / web page contains hyperlinks to websites of third parties, over which the owner of this website has no control and therefore cannot guarantee that the content of these websites is correct, complete and up-to-date. The owner of this website is not liable for any damage whatsoever, direct or indirect, that has arisen in any way or results from the use of the website / web page and the content, or the change or the unavailability of the website and the content.
Do you see an error or do you have additional information? Then get in touch with us.