Anyone who voluntarily adopts another nationality as a Dutch citizen will automatically lose their Dutch citizenship. However an exception is now made for Dutch people in England. A plan by D66, which is currently being submitted to joint initiative legislation with VVD, GroenLinks, PvdA and 50Plus.

Adverse effects

“This is a safety net,” said lawmaker Sjoerd Sjoerdsma of D66. “In the very exceptional case of Brexit, this would allow Dutch citizens in the UK to adopt British citizenship without losing their Dutch citizenship. This is extraordinary, but it is necessary to avoid the negative consequences of a no-deal Brexit. .”

An estimated 100,000 Dutch people live in England. There are many concerns, for example whether they will still have the same rights after Brexit. Applying for a British passport is an option, but then they automatically lose their Dutch passport. There is an exception for Dutch people who marry English people.

‘I don’t want to lose either’

One of these Dutch people is Tom Haije. He has lived in England for 33 years, but always keeps his Dutch passport. “I’m also Dutch, I was born in the Netherlands and I don’t want to lose that at all,” Tom told RTL News.

He has his own company with British staff. But with a no-deal Brexit on the horizon, Tom is worried about his rights: will he be able to continue running his business without problems? He is also afraid of his hobby. “I’m also a volunteer police officer and if Brexit goes ahead, especially if there’s a no-deal Brexit, then I’ll have to throw in the towel too. Because as a Dutch person you can no longer work in the police. ”

Dual citizenship is a sensitive topic in politics in The Hague. However, these five parties have now made an exception for the Dutch in England. “Because they had to face the unpredictable British government, with a situation that made them afraid to live, work, study or care for their parents,” said Sjoerdsma. “They don’t know what they can or should do and this is the only thing we in parliament can do for them.”

‘Very drastic’

“British politicians are playing poker with public safety at stake,” said PvdA faction leader Lodewijk Asscher. “Dutch people living in the UK are in a very uncertain situation. This is especially drastic if you live there with your family. With this emergency law we are offering them a solution.”

Sjoerdsma will try to pass the emergency law through parliament before October 31. The law applies retroactively: anyone who has renounced their Dutch citizenship and received a British passport can reacquire a Dutch passport.

For Tom Haije, emergency law is a good solution. “If this continues, it would be amazing. I don’t want to lose my Dutch identity.”