Dutch citizenship guidance changes how driving disqualifications are assessed from 1 November
The amendments distinguish short individual driving bans from cumulative cases and update the residence-and-conduct declaration for the option procedure.
Specified Dutch nationality-handbook amendments took effect on 1 November. WBN 2026/2, published in August, and the September supplementary decision WBN 2026/3 address driving disqualifications in naturalisation and option procedures and update declaration forms. The remaining provisions of WBN 2026/3 take effect on 1 January 2027.[1][2]
In the relevant assessment paragraph, WBN 2026/3 says an individual driving disqualification shorter than 60 days does not, by itself, justify refusing naturalisation or an option declaration. Multiple bans have separate cumulative rules. Other criminal-history and public-order conditions still apply, so the duration of a single ban does not establish eligibility.[1][2]
The updated option declaration also requires applicants to notify the municipality immediately of subsequent changes that could affect their residence permit. The official explanation links the changes to the administrative court’s 16 October 2024 judgment and corrections to the earlier amendment; conduct and continuing lawful-residence requirements remain.[1][2]
Official sources
This article provides general information. Individual applications are subject to the applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment.