As a Canadian, I was allowed to keep my passport when I became a naturalised Australian and obtained an Australian passport.

I've lived in NL now for 11 years, and was wondering whether if I applied for a Dutch passport would I be required to give up my Canadian and/or Australian passports? I suspect I would, but thought someone here might know for certain.

Donna

Well, the main question is - What is the basis of applying for Dutch passport.

If it is partnership, marriage with Dutch partner - you can keep your original nationality. (Not applicable for Living together contracts)

If it is work, independant permit - then you are required to give up your original nationality.

It differs from country to country.

Take a look at this link - http://www.ind.nl/nl/algemeen/afstandnatio...eit_actueel.asp

Thanks for that useful link, welliamin.

Apparently as a Canadian/Australia I wouldn't need to automatically lose those passports.
However, I couldn't find the section on Uitzonderingen. Am I simply not seeing it?

Regarding my reason to apply for a Dutch passport: Nothing pressing, really. I was just wondering.
Perhaps there'd be an advantage in the future if I had an EU passport. However, I wouldn't apply at the cost of my other passports.

Donna

You wouldn't automatically loose your current passports, but you would be required to go through the process to give them up unless you qualify for an uitzondering. Those can be seen by going to the IND's verblijfwijzer, choose Ik Wil Nederlander Worden, and click on the uitzonderingen link from the left-hand menu.

Here is the link to save you the trouble

http://www.ind.nl/NL/verblijfwijzer/verbli...r=1&lang=nl


However, like I said - it will depend on the reason of you applying for the Dutch passport. I think none of the other clauses will apply to you. Only way you probably can keep your original nationality is if you have a Dutch partner via marriage/partnership.

I have both a Canadian and Dutch passport (born Canadian and acquired my Dutch passport about 4 years ago through descent). Neither the Dutch authorities or Canadian asked me to give up my other nationality.
I think if you check on the back cover of your Canadian passport it says something about how Canadian citizens are allowed to take other nationalities through birth, naturalisation, descent, etc... Maybe your Australian passport also says something like this.
Actually, now that I think of it, I had an ex several years ago that took Dutch nationality without having to give up his Australian passport. He took it soley based on the fact that he had been here for so long that he qualified.
I hope that helps in some way.

Thanks for that info, anonymous.

My reason is about the same as your ex's. I figure I've been here so long already I might as well
have a Dutch passport, if it's possible.

Perhaps I'll make enquiries. Probably someone at the Canadian/Australian embassy could
inform me.

Donna

Donna, have you looked at the uitzondering list on the IND website yet? Chances are you will be able to determine if you qualify right away. I doubt if the Canadian or Austrailian embassies will be of much help, though asking can't hurt.

Keep in mind that the IND wasn't nearly as strict "a few years ago" when anonymous' ex may have gotten dual passports. And anonymous got his/her Dutch second passport through descent. Those rules are totally different than if you want to keep your original passport when you're here for reasons other than the registered partner or spouse of a Dutch citizen.

susr is correct.

When I moved here in 2000, it could get a Dutch passport without having to give up my US passport after I hit my 5 year mark. Then about 2003 I think ... they went through this BIG change and announced that you have to 'choose' .. your home passport or the Dutch passport.

Your home country has nothing to do with Dutch policy. So if your country allows you to have dual nationality ... fine - it's just that the Dutch don't.

However, if you are married or can demonstrate any other 'exception' condition .. you can keep your home passport - so then you will have both.

In all these years, however, I have never known anyone that has both passports if they were not married to a Dutchie. Not trying to discourage you ... I just think you should know 'de facto' the system here in terms of getting a Dutch passport and keeping your home passport. Otherwise you will be thinking it will be a simple matter to pull up an 'exception'. Surely they exist ... I've just never heard of anyone able to use an exception to get a Dutch passport without giving up their home country's passport.

I DO have the EU Perm Res. Permit which allows me to work/live in any EU country ... which is fine for my purposes.

Maybe this is an option for you?

Indeed, I should look at the EU Perm. Res. permit. That would suit me just me just fine.

Donna

Some good sites with answers about such questions are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_nationality_law

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Dutch_nationality_law

http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationaliteit

http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overleg:Nationaliteit

So, it depends on your personal situation and immigration reason. In short, if you are married to a Dutch person or to an Australian citizen, you may keep your Australian and Dutch passports.

E.g., I kept my Romanian passport since paying 515 Euro consulary fees for renouncing my Romanian nationality was more than my income for two months. Seeing is believing, so here is the Dutch translation of the proof of consulary fees from the Consulary Section of the Romanian Embassy in the Hague:

http://members.home.nl/icnl/515vert.jpg

Romanian law does not have the proviso of loosing one's Romanian nationality at getting another nationality, so I have dual nationality.

Besides, there is the site of the Dutch Foreign Affairs Department (similar to the US Department of State), with information about nationality, in English, on:

http://www.minbuza.nl/en/welcome/DutchCiti...tch_nationality