900 thousand dual nationalities

In recent years many foreigners have been granted the Dutch nationality. A large number of these people retained their original nationality. On 1 January 2003 there were 900 thousand persons in the Netherlands with a foreign nationality in addition to the Dutch nationality.

Persons with a foreign nationality whether or not in combination with the Dutch nationality

Almost half a million naturalisations since 1995

On 1 January 2003, 1.6 million persons in the Netherlands had a foreign nationality. Among them 900 thousand also had the Dutch nationality.

Due to naturalisation their number has grown considerably in recent years; by almost half a million compared to 1995. Another 700 thousand persons only have a non-Dutch nationality. The corresponding figure for 1995 was 759 thousand.

Persons with more than one nationality, 1 January

Retention of original nationality

Dutch people who also have the Turkish or Moroccan nationality account for nearly half of all people in the Netherlands with two nationalities. Considerably fewer Dutch people also have the German or British nationality.

Practically all naturalised Turks and Moroccans retained their original nationality. Legislation in their countries of origin disallows, for instance, Moroccans and Iranians to abandon their original nationality. The majority of Somali and Surinamese living in the Netherlands gave up their original nationality.

Non-Dutch nationality of persons with more than one nationality, 1 January

Ron Tas