Requesting an assessment of the consequences of losing Dutch nationality
Former Dutch nationals who have lost their Dutch nationality and EU citizenship since 1993 may be able to have it restored. An online tool is available to help people in this group determine if they have lost their Dutch nationality. If so, they can apply for what is known as a proportionality check.
Every Dutch national is by definition also an EU citizen. Being an EU citizen means that you can travel, reside and work freely in EU territory. Losing Dutch nationality may also mean losing EU citizenship and with it, the ability to travel, reside and work freely in the EU.
On 12 February and 20 May 2020 the Council of State instructed the Dutch central government to look into the specific consequences of losing EU citizenship.
If central government finds that the consequences of losing EU citizenship are disproportionate, it may be possible for you to regain your Dutch nationality, retroactive to the point when you lost it. This assessment process is referred to as the proportionately check.
Proportionality check
Central government will only perform a proportionality check at your request, if you:
- have applied for a Dutch passport or a Dutch identity card at an embassy or consulate;
- lost your Dutch nationality:
- because you have lived outside the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten and outside the European Union for more than 10 years, or
- because you voluntarily acquired another nationality at the time that you were still a Dutch national.
- did not have the nationality of another EU country at the time.
It is down to you to prove that the loss of EU citizenship has had a disproportionate impact on you.
Finding out if you have lost Dutch nationality
Central government has created a tool to help you find out if you have lost your Dutch nationality. The tool is meant as an aid; it will only tell you if there is a possibility that you have lost Dutch nationality. If the tool shows that you may have lost Dutch nationality, you can request a proportionality test by applying for a Dutch passport or identity card. The tool will tell you what conditions you have to meet in order to for the check to take place. Please note: requesting a proportionality check does not guarantee you will regain your Dutch nationality. This depends on your personal circumstances. These and other factors will be assessed in the proportionality check.
Check here to see if you are eligible for a proportionality check. Here you can also find information about the supporting documents you will need to provide if you apply for a proportionality check.