Nationality - what would you do?

[Dahlemma]

My 21 yo son has dual British and Dutch nationality. Born and lived in uk, Dutch father. He’ll lose his Dutch nationality if in the next 10 years he doesn’t live in a Dutch territory or EU country.

I can envisage that he will live in Holland or the EU in that time, however if he doesn’t, he’ll have to relinquish one of his passports. Obviously it’s 10 years away and things change however if the choice was to be made now, which would you keep?

Is he in higher education? Would a year at university in NL be enough to satisfy the requirement?

Relinquish the British passport, its worth nothing . Your son needs a European passport . You are severely limiting his options if he has a British passport.

Up to him.

He's an adult, it's his choice.

I can envisage that he will live in Holland or the EU in that time, however if he doesn’t, he’ll have to relinquish one of his passports
So it's a non-problem.

He'll lose his citizenship.

So would relinquishing British nationality mean he couldn't come back here unless he met certain criteria (salary threshold etc)? If so I can see why it's be tricky. Is his life here?

No, he opted not to go to uni, instead he’s saving/studying towards a professional career that could facilitate time abroad (not because of the citizenship issue, it’s always been his ambition)

Thanks for the correction

Of course it’s his choice. But we talk though different options, as we’ve always done

I share your view. As does he right now

What does 'live in' even mean? Residency for a certain amount of time?
Does he have to be ordinarily resident?
Why can't he keep his British passport? Are you saying he has to choose between one of them?

It is for now. Good point to consider re salary, thank you

I would keep the British one, obviously, if he plans to live in the UK. I have 2 passports, but I’d gladly give my other one up if I could. It’s a hassle to have dual nationality more than a help (I’d never live in my home country again and I barely ever travel there). My dc both have dual nationality and again it’s cool to have and maybe they would travel a bit when they’re older, but it’s more hassle than anything else. I haven’t even renewed their passports this time because of the cost of the passports and the travel to the embassy and the lost days of work and school absences, etc.

It nice to have, but more work than use, and obviously he needs to be a citizen of the country he plans to live in.

I would relinquish the British passport if he wants to travel around. There are many more places he would be able to go. Why does he have to relinquish one passport?

There is no definition. Wee we wondered could he set up an address at his uncles home for instance. That’s simplistic I know but that’s what we’re exploring.

Due to brexit really. Holland allow you 13 years of living in another country (excerpting but none applicable to me son). At 21 he has another 10 years to meet the requirements.

I'd keep whichever country my life was at that time. But if I were him now, I'd move to EU country for a year sooner than later, to keep possibilities open in the future.

Residency means also taxes. Many other countries also keep much closer track of residents than UK does.

I think he should spend a year in an EU state before the 13 years are up - ireland probably easiest, he could even work in Northern Ireland and live in the Republic. That way he keeps his Dutvh passport, and he won't lose UK nationality by living abroad.

I'm really surprised that Dutch nationals can lose citizenship in this way.

It was a rule introduced in 2003 just before he was born, didn’t matter till UK left the EU. In 2022 they extended the “must live in” from 10 years to 13. I think it’s great motivation to live and work in the EU and generally use the freedom his Dutch passport affords him.

Thank you for that perspective

Another good consideration.

In 10 years, yes. Dutch rules of dual citizenship. it wouldn’t matter if uk was still in the EU

He has an EU passport. I would take a year in EU to keep it.

We have dual citizenship children. We planned yesrs ahead.

Thanks @MumChp. I think it’s a no brainer both for the citizenship issue and life experience in general