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Visas and permits

Married to a Dutch national? Naturalise after 3 years and skip the permanent-permit prerequisite

The normal citizenship rule is 5 years plus first holding a permanent/EU-LTR permit. But if you are married or registered-partnered with a Dutch citizen and have lived together 3 years, you can naturalise after 3 years - and without first getting a permanent residence permit. Unmarried partners: 3 years continuous cohabitation with a valid permit. You still need the civic-integration exam (A2) and to keep living together throughout.