SNBN Newsletter April 20: Update on dual nationality
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Dear Dutch nationals abroad and interested parties!
Welcome to this newsletter from the Foundation for Dutch People Abroad.
This time with the following topics:
Update on the dual nationality bill
Results of the House of Representatives election survey
Retrospective: Emigration Fair
Insights LeerlingVizier 2025 (NOB)
Dual nationality bill: UPDATE
The website of the House of Representatives announces that the private member's bill to amend nationality law by Jan Paternotte (D66) and Songül Mutluer (GroenLinks/PvdA) is expected to be debated in plenary session in the House of Representatives in week 24 (from 8 to 12 June). Unfortunately, this date has already been postponed a few times. We hope that this time it is final, although this will depend in part on the international geopolitical situation, which is currently unstable and to which the House must respond on an ad hoc basis.
This bill dates back to the previous legislative term and goes further than what is stated in the current coalition agreement (specifically, this bill also provides for the possibility of dual nationality for 'new' Dutch citizens, not just for existing Dutch citizens). It will therefore be particularly interesting to see how other parties stand on this, especially coalition parties CDA and VVD.
The SNBN is not only closely monitoring developments but is already actively working behind the scenes. In addition, we are considering public steps; more on that soon.
Questions or comments? Please contact us via info@snbn.nl . The SNBN will release a new update no later than next month.
Results of the House of Representatives election survey
Following the recent House of Representatives elections, the SNBN inquiry committee distributed a questionnaire with the aim of gaining more clarity regarding the functioning of these elections for Dutch citizens living abroad. The survey was completed by 1,492 participants residing in more than 100 countries, particularly in Europe (53%) and North America (24%). The majority of participants already had experience voting from abroad (1,316 of the 1,492).
The most striking findings are:
Voting from abroad is still difficult ; 31% are satisfied, 35% dissatisfied. In total, 18% (275 people) reported concrete problems, with not receiving the ballot being the most frequently mentioned problem;
Although voting by mail is the most popular method, it entails many practical issues, uncertainty, and frustration . People also encounter practical problems when voting via embassies and consulates, such as closed embassies, strikes, limited opening hours, and a lack of responses.
Only a small number of people use proxy or vote during a visit to the Netherlands. This group generally trusts that their vote is cast correctly;
Many Dutch people abroad actively follow Dutch politics , but find it difficult that they often have to cast their vote before the election debates begin. In addition, there is a feeling that political parties pay little attention to their situation;
There is clear support for digital voting among the constituency: nearly 70% say they want to make use of it.
A more extensive report, including graphs, can be read here .
The Board would like to express its sincere gratitude to the inquiry committee for its efforts and these findings. For many years, the SNBN has been committed to opening up digital voting to Dutch citizens living outside the Netherlands, whether on a trial basis or not.
The current government’s coalition agreement states: “ We are making significant progress in digital services for citizens and businesses. Estonia’s service provision serves as the example. All government services must be accessible online .” Organizing elections is pre-eminently a government task. The findings above align seamlessly with this! The SNBN is therefore actively working to convey this message to politicians.
Retrospective: Emigration Fair
The annual Emigration Fair took place at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht during the weekend of March 21-22 . The SNBN was present and produced a special emigration warning leaflet for the occasion. designed and handed out to as many visitors as possible.
Questions regarding taxes and pensions came up in particular – other points were listened to by visitors with surprise, such as the fact that you can lose your Dutch citizenship outside the EU.
It has become clear to us that the SNBN has a role here and meets an information need.
Our sincere thanks to everyone who wanted to participate in this !
Whether behind the scenes or on the exhibition floor itself – it is a pleasure working with you, Monique, Frans, Miranda, Henriette, Han, Carlo, Bernard, and Olaf!
Insights LeerlingVizier 2025 (NOB)
Recently, the Foundation for Dutch Education Abroad (NOB) published the LeerlingVizier 2025 , the biennial survey among parents and students worldwide who receive Dutch education. The key findings were:
60% of parents view multilingualism as a reason to have their child study Dutch abroad due to the positive influence on their future prospects;
38% of the students take Dutch language education (partly) because they might want to go to school in the Netherlands or Flanders again later;
Parents appreciate this education because it offers their children a sense of stability in language, culture, and identity development.
These results underscore once again why the SNBN is a fervent supporter of the NOB, and we look forward to continued good cooperation. The full publication LeerlingVizier 2025 can be downloaded here .
Without you, there would be no SNBN:
Help out!
The Foundation for Dutch People Abroad (SNBN) works daily, entirely on a voluntary basis, for the interests of Dutch people abroad .
Whether it concerns nationality issues, voting rights, pensions, or other practical and political obstacles: we ensure that your voice is heard in The Hague. But we cannot do this alone. Our activities depend on support from stakeholders like you. With your contribution — large or small, one-off or recurring — we can continue to stand up for the rights of Dutch citizens abroad. Every donation makes a difference . Together, we make policy fairer, more understandable, and more accessible for everyone with a Dutch passport, wherever in the world you live.
Thank you for your support!