Netherlands Keeps 5-Year Citizenship Timeline But IND Delays Persist

5-Year Citizenship Timeline Maintained

The Dutch government has officially abandoned its proposal to increase the mandatory residency requirement for citizenship from five to ten years. This provides significant relief for prospective citizens, keeping the five-year path as the standard.

• The strict stance on dual citizenship remains unchanged.
• In most cases, individuals naturalizing in the Netherlands will still be required to renounce their original passport.

Severe Processing Delays at the IND

The Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) is experiencing severe systemic delays. The agency recently paid €79 million in compensation to refugees due to excessively long application processing times.

• Investors and expats should factor maximum processing times into their immigration plans.
• The bureaucratic backlog is expected to affect various petition types.

Potential Cuts to Expat Tax Benefits

Discussions regarding the fairness of tax incentives for highly skilled migrants, such as the 30% ruling, have intensified. This debate is largely driven by local housing market pressures, where residents face steep competition from expats.

• If these tax benefits are further reduced, it will become significantly more expensive for local startups and businesses to attract international talent.

Tighter Visa Rules and Tourist Taxes

The Netherlands is joining other European nations in tightening entry regulations. New visa requirements and increased tourist taxes are making short-term visits more expensive and complex.

While this does not directly impact residence permit holders, it will require business partners and visiting guests to allocate more time and funds for their trips.

EU Considers Relaxing Rules for Professionals

At the European Union level, new visa rules are being discussed that could potentially eliminate the 90-day barrier for professionals. If adopted, this initiative would simplify skilled immigration and make Europe more accessible for digital nomads, serving as a strong alternative to local startup visas.