Who is eligible for Dutch citizenship?

Many Israelis are now embarking on the process of obtaining a European passport. The most popular passports are German and Polish, but have you heard about the possibility of obtaining Dutch citizenship? In this article you will find all the necessary information explaining who is eligible for Dutch citizenship.

Tulip fields, bicycles, windmills, liberalism and a progressive drug policy. Almost anyone can find something to dream of in the Netherlands, and the fantasy of living for a long or short period in the picturesque European country of canals and tulips is now within reach, even if you are Israeli.

Nowadays, many Israeli citizens are eligible for a European passport, assuming they can provide proof of family ties and ancestral roots in a particular country. The Netherlands too is part of the long list of countries in the European Union whose citizenship can be obtained on the basis of blood ties, a connection to the land, or being born there. However, there is another path to obtaining Dutch citizenship, open to people who intend to invest in the country financially.

Who is eligible for Dutch citizenship?

Holland has been a member of the European Union since its inception. Approximately 17.4 million people live there as of today. Although the Netherlands is one of the European countries which has preserved its royal monarchy, the modern-day Netherlands is known for its tolerant, progressive and liberal views, in all aspects of life.

Despite its liberal policies, Holland will not grant you citizenship if you do not meet certain criteria. Who is eligible for a Dutch passport? Anyone having at least one parent who is a Dutch citizen, even if they do not live in the Netherlands. Marrying a Dutch citizen, on the other hand, does not automatically entitle you to Dutch citizenship.

Obtaining Dutch citizenship, if you meet the requirements, is a great way to broaden your horizons. It enables you to live, study, receive scholarships and stipends, work, and invest in real estate or other assets, in any member country of the European Union.

The process of applying for a Netherlands passport as an Israeli begins at the Dutch Embassy in Israel, located in Ramat Gan. You must submit a passport application form at the embassy, along with documents authenticated with an apostille stamp which show you are eligible for Holland citizenship (translated by a notary public into Dutch), and special letters of confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Religion.

Obtaining Dutch citizenship via financial investment

Even Israeli residents who do not have family ties or ancestral roots in the Holland can obtain Netherlands citizenship. Some countries in the European Union, including the Netherlands, grant citizenship to foreign investors who financially invest in the country. The investment must exceed 250,000 euros, with the exact amount varying according to each country’s requirements.

Types of investments that can grant citizenship:

Investing in capital funds in the Netherlands
Investing in a Dutch company
Investing in properties in the Netherlands

Family reunification

The Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service, the IND, under the Dutch Ministries of Justice and Defense, is the institution which examines the citizenship applications of foreign citizens, whether for the purpose of immigration, studies or business in the Netherlands. The IND also examines the long-term residency visa applications of students, foreign workers, spouses of Dutch citizens or asylum seekers.

Israeli residents who have family in the Netherlands and wish to move there to join them, are required to go through different procedures, depending on the type of application. These may include: a person applying to reunite with a spouse living in the Netherlands, a minor applying to reunite with his parents, or parents applying to reunite with their children who currently live in the Netherlands.

Aside from the above, there are additional cases in which someone may apply for citizenship in Holland, including children from other countries who have been adopted by Dutch families, family members of refugees and more. Young people wishing to stay in the Netherlands temporarily for work purposes will need a temporary residence permit and sometimes also a specific work permit.

Advantages of a Holland passport

Dutch citizenship grants you various benefits throughout Europe. Some of these benefits include:

Residence and work visa – you can obtain a residence and work visa in any country in the European Union.
Subsidized medical care – if you need medical treatment, you can obtain subsidized treatment in countries in the European Union.
Free entry to the United States of America – thanks to Dutch citizenship you will no longer need a visa to the US, allowing you to fly there freely whenever you want.
Opening a business – with Netherlands citizenship you can open a business and receive unique benefits in any European Union country of your choosing.
Subsidized academic studies – a European passport grants you significant discounts on academic studies, with some European Union countries even offering free enrollment.
Real estate investments – Dutch citizenship also grants you the ability to invest in real estate throughout the European Union.

Obtaining Holland citizenship with the help of an immigration lawyer

Dutch citizenship may be your ticket to obtaining a European passport. We recommend conducting the application process with the help of an expert immigration lawyer, who is deeply familiar with immigration law and the Dutch authorities, and who will be able to assist you in the best possible way.

Our office provides immigration services to the Netherlands in particular, as well as to many other countries around the world. Our team of experts will be happy to provide you with immigration services, starting from the moment you decide to pursue Dutch citizenship, through checking your eligibility for citizenship, until you finally receive citizenship at the end of the process. Contact us for more details.