Can you keep your Netherlands citizenship when you become a U.S. citizen?
Allowed with conditions
Only in some cases
Dutch citizens who voluntarily become U.S. citizens generally lose their Dutch citizenship unless an exemption applies.
What the law says
- From 1 April 2003, loss of Dutch citizenship upon naturalisation in another country is still automatic unless at least one exemption applies.
- A person over the age of majority who voluntarily acquired another citizenship before 1 April 2003 automatically lost Dutch citizenship.
- Exemptions include Dutch nationals who naturalise in another country and are exempted from the loss rule, such as those married to a national of that country.
- Dutch nationals with dual nationality also lose Dutch citizenship if they reside outside the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the European Union for ten years.
- Dutch nationals are not allowed to renounce their nationality if doing so would make them stateless.
“From 1 April 2003, loss of Dutch citizenship upon naturalisation in another country is still automatic unless at least one of the following exemptions applies”
What about the U.S. side?
The United States allows dual citizenship. At the oath ceremony you promise to renounce allegiance to other countries, but U.S. law does not make you formally give up your other passport. The question is only whether Netherlands lets you keep yours.
Source: Dutch nationality law (Wikipedia, summarized on 2026-11-11). Laws change — confirm with the Netherlands embassy or consulate before your oath ceremony. This is not legal advice.
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