Recently, the Netherlands changed their rules regarding citizenship (see my blog entry here). The Dutch government in The Hague reinterpreted exiting law to require fluency in Dutch as a condition of naturalization. Applicants from Dutch territories where Papiamento is spoken (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) must also demonstrate fluency in that language.
The stricter rules resulted from a political backlash in the Netherlands against an influx of Islamic immigrants taking up residence there. That backlash is now turning against Latinos as well.
Many immigrants from Colombia and the Dominican Republic who originally took up residence in the Dutch Caribbean, and subsequently became Dutch citizens, have now settled in Spain. (Since the Dutch passport is an EU passport, a person holding it may live or work in any EU country.) Recently, the Spanish government began complaining about these migrants to Dutch authorities. Senior Dutch politicians recently discussed this situation with a close source of mine.
The new rules, while much tougher, don't appear to be having the results that the Dutch government desires. While The Hague controls all immigration to the Netherlands, it does not control it in Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten. These Dutch territories have local autonomy and control their own immigration. For example, Aruba requires that immigrants return to their home country after only three years, unless granted a permanent residence permit. However, the Dutch government has strong influence over policies on these islands. And in the remaining Dutch territories of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, the Dutch government completely controls immigration policies.
Given this reality, the Dutch government is looking for options to stop Latino migration to the Dutch Caribbean and subsequently to Europe. This is more complicated than it might appear due to Dutch treaty obligations guaranteeing free movement of people, humane treatment of refugees, etc. However, the political will to limit immigration from Spanish-speaking countries is overwhelming.
Currently, the Kingdom Act on Netherlands Nationality calls for a five year period of legal residence, good conduct, and substantial integration in the community to qualify for Dutch citizenship and passport. An applicant denied citizenship has multiple opportunities to appeal against the decision. Proposals now before the Dutch Parliament would extend the period of legal residence from five to 10 years. Only one appeal would be permitted if a petition for naturalization is denied after this 10-year period. Given the political mood in the Netherlands, there is no doubt these proposals will eventually become law. The only question is when they will come into effect.
The Netherlands is one of numerous EU countries that have made naturalization much more difficult. When I was living in Austria from 2003-2005, the rules for naturalization were made much more stringent, including 10 years of residence. Indeed, to even reside in Austria for more than three years, you must demonstrate fluency in German.
If you have lived legally in the Netherlands or one of its territories for five years or more, and can speak Dutch, I urge you to apply for Dutch nationality at you earliest opportunity. If not, The Nestmann Group can assist you in obtaining a second passport under the "economic citizenship" programs of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, or selected EU countries
(An earlier version of this post was published by The Sovereign Society, https://banyanhill.com/)
