However the European constitution law is not installed yet, which means that according to the naturalization can be different rules for each member countries, we think its useful to give some examples and at least direction how naturalization works and what you need to do to naturalize into a national of one of the European countries. For this we start with the rules to apply for naturalization in the Netherlands.

When you are married or have a registered partnership with a Dutch citizen, you can apply for naturalization after 3 years marriage. Normally the IND and government takes the sign in date at the (Dutch) Municipal administration as the counting date for this 3 years. However when your Dutch husband has lived with you in the Philippines  and where registered there also, this time can count also even when you have lived together before marriage. Alas the total time of 3 years should be with out a break and they are very pointed to that. This means when your Dutch husband was separate from you even for 1 day or more this period will not be counted. The time that you lived together in another country you have to prove.

The Philippines do not allow dual citizenship either as many European countries, so they will release you from the Philippines automatically. But there are consequences: The Philippines did not allow for foreigner (and that you will be after naturalization) to own more than 50% of any property. Therefore it wasn't possible after you have became a European national to buy or own (legally) property in the Philippines, these rules have been change lately, see for this the Philippine news page. 

Becoming a Dutch national

If you have been residing in the Netherlands for a long time already, or if you were born here or if you are a former Dutch national, you may be able to become a Dutch national through option.
Follow the 'option' procedure link for information about terms and conditions and the procedure.


If you have been residing in the Netherlands for a specific period, you can become a naturalized Dutch national. This enables you to acquire Dutch nationality and you can stay in the Netherlands for an unlimited period. You now also have the same rights and obligations as a Dutch national.
Follow the 'naturalization' procedure link for information about terms and conditions and the procedure.

If you have previously had Dutch nationality, read the procedure Former Dutch nationals (in Dutch) of the IND.

In order to obtain Dutch nationality, you must in any case satisfy a number of conditions.
For that you have 2 choices:

Option conditions

Naturalization conditions

Option conditions

For this procedure you must always be in possession of a valid residence permit from the time of your birth in the Netherlands, or from the point you were permitted to enter the Netherlands. This means that you must always have applied for an extension before your permit expired.

In a number of cases you can become a Dutch national by completing an option statement. This is a quick and easy way of obtaining Dutch nationality. You can make use of this system if you satisfy one of the following conditions:

• You were born in the Netherlands;
• You were born in the Netherlands and are stateless;
• You are of age and have resided in the Netherlands since the age of 4;
• You are a former Dutch national and have resided in the Netherlands for at least one year (please refer to Former Dutch nationals);
• You have been married to a Dutch man or woman for at least three years and have been a resident in the Netherlands for at least 15 years continuously;
• You are 65 or above and have been a resident of the Netherlands for 15 years continuously.

In certain circumstances, children under the age of 18, having been cared for and brought up by at least one Dutch parent for a period of 3 years, may also be eligible for option. For further information, please contact the local council.

If you want your child under the age of 18 to be part of the option, you must give his or her name on the option statement.

Option documents

The following documents are required for the purposes of assessing your application:

• Valid passport;
• Residence permit;
• Birth certificate (if born outside the Netherlands);
• Marriage certificate (if you want to become a Dutch national by virtue of marriage to a Dutch national, and the marriage ceremony took place outside the Netherlands).

Option application

Do you want to make use of the option scheme and do you satisfy the terms and conditions? If so, you must complete a statement at the local council (Department of Civil Affairs). The local council will check to see if you have been in trouble with the police. Furthermore, you must demonstrate that you have always been in possession of a valid residence permit. If there is any uncertainty surrounding this, the Municipal Executive can request an Admissions Report from the Aliens Department.

If everything is in order the Municipal Executive will issue a statement of Dutch citizenship. If you do not satisfy the conditions, you will receive notification of a ruling stating why you are not eligible for Dutch citizenship. You are entitled to register a complaint against this. The ruling outlines the procedure involved.

Naturalization conditions

For this procedure you must always be in possession of a valid residence permit from the time of your birth in the Netherlands, or from the point you were permitted to enter the Netherlands. This means that you must always have applied for an extension before your permit expired.

You can submit your application for naturalization if you satisfy all the conditions outlined below:

• You are of age, in other words 18 or above. If you are under 18, you are deemed to be of age if you are married or have been married;
• You have been a legal resident in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba for 5 years or more. “Legal” means that you are entitled to residence;
  There are a few exceptions to this rule, including the following:
  You are married to, the registered partner of, or are living with, a Dutch man or woman (both of you being unmarried). In that case, you can submit an application for naturalization after 3 years of marriage and continuous cohabitation;
• You have a residence permit for a non-temporary purpose, such as family reunification or paid employment. If you have a residence permit with a purpose of a temporary nature – for example, for study or medical treatment – you cannot be naturalized;
• You are sufficiently integrated and can speak and understand the Dutch language. You must demonstrate this by taking a naturalization test. If you have already successfully passed an integration test (NT2 level 2 or higher) or have a similar qualification, you do not need to take a naturalization test. This also applies to people who are unable to take the test on account of a physical or mental disability.
  Furthermore, as someone who is “integrated” it is not appropriate for you to be married to more than one man or woman simultaneously;
• You have not received a prison sentence, training order, community service or large fine during the past 4 years.

Naturalization documents

The following documents are required for the purposes of assessing your application:

• Valid passport;
• Residence permit;
• Birth certificate (if born outside the Netherlands);
• Marriage certificate (if you want to become a Dutch national by virtue of marriage to a Dutch national, and the marriage ceremony took place outside the Netherlands);
• Proof that you have lived with a Dutch man or woman for three years or longer, if you are applying for Dutch citizenship in connection with this;
• Naturalization test certificate or comparable qualification

Naturalization application

The naturalization application is submitted to the Department of Civil Affairs at your local council. The application form is completed by an employee of the Department of Civil Affairs at your local council. The employee will complete the form with you. If your partner also wants to be naturalized, he or she must also be present for the submission of the application. If you have children you can also apply for Dutch citizenship for them. Their names and dates of birth must therefore be completed on the form. Incidentally, children aged 12 and above must indicate themselves that they agree with the application. To this end they must provide a signature and consequently be present for the submission of the application.

Granting or rejecting an application
When the municipal officer has compiled all the information he will carry out an investigation into whether you are who you say you are and whether you have been in trouble with the police. Then he will provide a written recommendation as to whether or not Dutch citizenship should be granted. He will send your file with his recommendation to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) in the Netherlands who will assess your application. If the application is granted, a proposal will be sent to the Queen. She will sign the proposal allowing you to become a Dutch national.
Ultimately, there are two possible responses to your application to become a Dutch national:
1. Your application is granted: you obtain Dutch nationality. You then receive a letter from the IND, in which the Queen awards you Dutch nationality.
2. Your application is rejected. You receive a letter (the ruling) explaining why you cannot become a Dutch national. Your children also receive a separate refusal ruling.
You are entitled to register a complaint against this. The ruling outlines the procedure involved.

For Germany these rules are kind a similar beside that they have separate rules for children, they don't have the option rules and the child can wait with this decision until she/he is the year of 18 or above. Further Germany also request again for sufficient income and other or more documents.

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