Renouncing Dutch citizenship

If you wish to renounce your Dutch citizenship, you can submit a declaration to the municipality. By doing so, you give up your right to a Dutch passport. If you renounce your Dutch citizenship, your minor children will also lose their Dutch citizenship—unless your partner retains Dutch citizenship.

How does it work?

You can only renounce your rights if:

  • you are of legal age
  • you have dual citizenship

What should I do?

You must make a waiver in person. Only if you are unable to come due to physical or mental reasons may you authorize someone to make the waiver on your behalf.

  • The municipality will review your statement against the applicable regulations and determine whether your statement has legal effect.
  • If your declaration results in a change of nationality, this change will be recorded in the Basic Register of Persons (BRP) based on the declaration you have made.

What do I need?

  • your valid ID
  • all travel documents in your possession
  • proof that you hold another nationality in addition to Dutch citizenship

Additional Information

There are other ways you can lose your Dutch citizenship:

  • You have voluntarily acquired another nationality.
  • You have committed fraud in connection with an application to become a Dutch citizen by option or naturalization. As a result, you will lose your Dutch citizenship.
  • You have been convicted of a crime against the Dutch state. As a result, you will lose your Dutch citizenship.

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