Dutch-born, no documents, stuck abroad — is it possible to reclaim my nationality and return?
Posted by IDK--69@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 203 comments
Hi, I’m 18 and I’m trying to figure out if I have any realistic way of returning to the Netherlands and rebuilding my identity.
I was born in the Netherlands (Amersfoort) to parents who had Dutch nationality. When I was around 6–7 years old, I was taken to Syria and have lived here ever since. During that time, all of my Dutch documents were lost, and I’ve had no contact with Dutch authorities.
I’ve now turned 18 and I’m trying to fix my situation and understand if I still have Dutch nationality and whether I can apply for a passport or return.
I do have a Syrian document (individual registration extract) which states that I was born in the Netherlands.
My main questions are:
Is it still possible to prove Dutch citizenship after being outside the EU for so long with no documents?
Has anyone been in a similar situation and successfully regained their passport?
What are the realistic steps I should expect in a case like this?
I’ve already contacted the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and I’m waiting for a reply, but I wanted to ask here in case anyone has experience with similar cases.
Any advice or shared experiences would really help. I’m trying to build a stable future from a difficult background and don’t want to make mistakes.
Fatbongripper88@reddit
Please stay there.
charming-rattlesnake@reddit
Are your parents still alive? Let’s start with that…..
charming-rattlesnake@reddit
Overigens. Als jouw ouders besloten IS te steunen is er grote kans dat hun Nederlanderchap is komen te vervallen. Ik zou een bezoek brengen aan de Nederlandse ambassade waar je nu woont daar krojg je betere informatie dan hier (yes this is all written in Dutch, he should know what I’m talking about)
charming-rattlesnake@reddit
And where does your mother live now. BTW het zou echt helpen als je Nederlands zou spreken als je wil bewijzen dat je Nederlander bent.
IDK--69@reddit (OP)
My father passed away a while ago, and my mother is still alive
Deep-Hunt5829@reddit
La regola dei 13 anni: Se un cittadino olandese con doppia nazionalità (olandese e siriana) risiede fuori dall'UE per un periodo ininterrotto di 13 anni (termine esteso da 10 a 13 anni nell'aprile 2022) senza rinnovare il passaporto o richiedere un certificato di nazionalità, la cittadinanza olandese si perde automaticamente. Devi far chiarezza sui tuoi trasferimenti e parlare con qualcuno che sia pratico di queste cose. Ci sono sicuramente associazioni che si occupano di questo e ti potranno consigliare.
Few_Understanding_42@reddit
You don't have a Dutch nationality anymore since your parents decided to go back to Syria and you grew up there living there for >10 years, it's extremely unlikely to regain Dutch nationality and return.
Unfortunately children are often victim of their parents shitty decisions.
Odds you will obtain Dutch nationality may even be harder then for the average Syrian person, bc ppl going to Syria from the Netherlands that period your parents did: 🚩🚩🚩.
Zooz00@reddit
As you see in this thread, Dutch people are extremely bigoted against people who traveled back to Syria to save their country from the dictator (or against non-white people in general) and so you will probably have some issues coming back even if it wasn't your decision but your parents.
Alarming_Bottle2752@reddit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_fighters_in_the_Iraqi_conflict
https://npo.nl/start/serie/enkele-reis-naar-het-kalifaat/meer-informatie
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IpbJuft2MuE&pp=ygUcVm9vciBkZSB6b25kZW4gdmFuIGRlIHZhZGVycw%3D%3D The last is a documentary about these children. The title is: For the sins if their fathers. It is about these children trapped in Syria, and the debate in Western countries whether or not they should help and get them out.
Zooz00@reddit
It will be interesting and very predictable to compare this situation to the situation of volunteers who come back from Ukraine with their families in about 10 years.
Stravven@reddit
The difference is that Ukraine, unlike ISIS, is not designated as a terrorist group nor as an enemy of the Netherlands.
Zooz00@reddit
Did anybody say the OP's parents were with ISIS? There were many other groups there as well, such as Kurdish ones, which are not designated as terrorist groups.
ArcticWolfl@reddit
I'd say volunteering for the Ukrainian state is slightly different than fighting with ISIS, even if it's against a dictator. Ukraine doesn't have a habit of repressing and raping women of a different faith, decapitations with rusty knifes, burning people alive and suicide bombing innocent people just because they don't believe the same thing. Nothing to do with the color of their skin, but their deeds, you racist.
Mormacil@reddit
I assume that returning from volunteer service with an ally will be treated as other cases of serving an ally just as the Syrians are treated similar to historic cases of volunteering for an enemy of the state like the Dutch who served in Nazi Germany on a volunteer basis. Nothing to do with skin color but with political allegiances. The Dutch are historically quite harsh with those who aid the enemy.
Maleficent-Bed-7796@reddit
You're talking bullshit, youre talking about the us?
Gods_ShadowMTG@reddit
Being born in the netherlands does not grant you citizenship. You will have to prove that both your parents were citizens at the time
Acceptable_Usual1646@reddit
Both parents had the Dutch nationality
Kind_Physics_1383@reddit
They lost it when they decided to go to Syria.
reddit_tat@reddit
OP did not say this. Even if it is true, they were citizens at the time of OP’s birth, and OP was born in The Netherlands. (Assuming OP is correct about those things.) So the question OP asks stands: how does a person so situated get The Netherlands to determine their citizenship status? Presumably, The Netherlands has birth records as well as any records of the parents gaining and or losing citizenship. What does OP have to show, and to whom do they have to show it? It seems to me that OP needs an immigration attorney in The Netherlands.
Fruitpicker15@reddit
The crucial bit of information we're missing is whether OP also has Syrian nationality and whether their parents retained Dutch nationality. Having been born in the Netherlands is irrelevant. OP needs to show proof the parents are still citizens at the embassy and make a declaration of citizenship.
Bobzeub@reddit
What embassy ? It’s Syria ? The Dutch embassy bailed in 2012 and I doubt ISIS are issuing exit permits on a technicality.
karoxxxxx@reddit
Isis is more or less gone, he vould take a plane to turkey or Libanon where the embassy is responsible for Syria as well.
And consular services might still be available
Bobzeub@reddit
I believe you still need an exit permit . And to make it to the airport avoiding the checkpoints . Also most countries aren’t so forthcoming with visa when the person has a Syrian passport and who by his own admission , has parents connected with terrorist groups .
Sure as shit Europe wouldn’t be having any of it .
prancing_moose@reddit
That doesn’t just happen automatically - that is a process that requires investigation and case by case decision making at ministerial level.
We don’t know the details about OP’s parents, if they joined ISIS or not.
But that’s not that relevant- what is relevant is the ability for OP to demonstrate that at least one of his parents held the Dutch nationality at the time of his birth in the Netherlands and also the context of how that parent acquired the Dutch nationality is relevant.
So OP ideally needs the expired passport of one of his parents and needs his official Dutch birth certificate, either the original one or request a new one which does require him to be able to identify himself to the Gemeente Amersfoort (assuming he was born there).
The conditions around his parents is less relevant because it matters they were citizens at the time of OP’s birth. Also OP as a minor is not held responsible for the actions of their parent and can state that his relocation to Syria occurred without his consent as he was a minor at that time.
And I know that his is how the process works because I’ve actually been through this for my children who are born outside the Netherlands but qualify for Dutch citizenship because of my own nationality.
CarloWood@reddit
Which was clearly a mistake to begin with. Let's not make that mistake again.
Czechmate_27@reddit
Racist f*cks like you should loose their nationality. Clearly a stain on our society
alt-right-del@reddit
Are you the OP?
dntw8up@reddit
OP stated in their post that both parents are Dutch nationals.
UnearthyNitrogen@reddit
Not "are Dutch nationals", the post states that they "had" the Dutch nationality. Not sure how much to read into the use of the past tense but still.
ButterscotchSilver15@reddit
Can you read?
Acceptable_Usual1646@reddit
Are you Reading disabled?
Salty_Lychee_7518@reddit
😂
chefkoch_@reddit
As he was born there, he should be registered as a citizen already? The town he was born in should have all the Info needed .
Fruitpicker15@reddit
Expats with double nationality lose their citizenship after 13 years unless they retain it by making a declaration or renewing their passport.
Stravven@reddit
And in this case there is a good chance the government stripped them of their Dutch citizenship.
Schylger-Famke@reddit
Rule of thumb is that a minor looses their Dutch nationality when their parents loose their Dutch nationality. So OP will have to prove that at least one of his parents was still Dutch when OP turned 18.
Gabrovi@reddit
Both parents? What if only one was a citizen? Just curious here.
chefkoch_@reddit
https://ind.nl/en/dutch-citizenship/dutch-citizen-by-birth-acknowledgment-or-adoption
Gabrovi@reddit
So only one parent is my reading.
Kiyoshi-Trustfund@reddit
Yes. You only need one parent be a Dutch Citizen to be born a Dutch Citizen.
antizana@reddit
Are your parents willing to help them or are you working against them? If they had Dutch nationality and you have proof of that, that goes a long way. Another place you could start is requesting a copy of your birth certificate from the civil registry in the Netherlands. It probably won’t be proof of nationality although some times birth certificates do list the parents’ nationalities. Being born in the Netherlands on its own isn’t sufficient.
Acceptable_Usual1646@reddit
OP is 18 - no need for parents
ihavenosisters@reddit
But parents could make this a whole lot easier for OP.
Acceptable_Usual1646@reddit
There is no room for parents in the application form other than their names and dates of birth
Stravven@reddit
Asking them whether or not they still are Dutch citizens does matter a lot. If they voluntarily left for Syria during the ISIS years there is a good chance they have in fact lost their Dutch citizenship.
Acceptable_Usual1646@reddit
But their kid could still have it
Stravven@reddit
Unlikely, in most cases where parents lose their citizenship their minor children also lose said citizenship.
Content-Shower5754@reddit
They may have the documents OP needs, or better information. That is what the previous commenter was referring to.
AmericanIn_Amsterdam@reddit
Bro what are you on about? he can ask his parents about his BSN and birth certificate and they will be able to best assist him
arno14@reddit
Unless they are dead or imprisoned jihadis. Which, given the timeline and locale, isn’t entirely impossible.
ihavenosisters@reddit
What application form? If op has copies of parents Dutch passports it’ll be easier to prove their own citizenship. I image also easier to get an appointment at the embassy.
antizana@reddit
If OP’s parents are willing to help, for example by letting him or her look through their own documents and why they have that pertains to the Netherlands like what legal status they may have had if they weren’t actually citizens, make copies of their Dutch passports if they have them, etc, it will save a LOT of footwork. It’s also not always easy to request civil documentation of other people such as your parents, if OP were trying to prove the parents were Dutch by getting their birth certificates.
FreeFortuna@reddit
If OP’s parents are willing to help, I’d also have them request their birth certificates and anything relevant to their citizenship.
PatientInitial882@reddit
Isn't this just Basisregistratie Personen?
It's pretty much a certainty that you were registered in your city when you were born. That Syrian document should have the same name, date of birth, etc. on it as your old city has. So you should already be registered as a citizen, just one who got lost at some point.
cappupcino@reddit
Being registered is not the same as having dutch citizenship (anyone living in NL for more than 4 months will be registered). OP's registration record should however show their birth in NL and nationaltities and who their parents are.
OP, this is called a BSN registration and could be a helpful papertrail.
Stravven@reddit
However, and it will all hinge on this: did his parents lose their Dutch nationality? If they did when OP was a minor then he lost his Dutch citizenship as well.
Timinime@reddit
You need to contact the Dutch authorities - locate your birth certificate, which may list your parents nationality.
Otherwise you’ll have to prove your parents nationality with citizenship or birth records.
Stravven@reddit
If his parents lost their Dutch citizenship before OP turned 18 then OP also lost his Dutch citizenship.
BetOrnery6293@reddit
Did your parents have another nationality which you, as their child, automatically obtained by birth? If you have another nationality and live abroad and did not renew your passport in time, you automatically lost/loose your Dutch nationality after 13 years. Source: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/nederlandse-nationaliteit/nederlandse-nationaliteit-verliezen
reddit_tat@reddit
If OP just now turned 18, would they have expected to have renewed their passport as a minor?
boundlessbio@reddit
I don’t think so. There were minor children in Tjebbes if I recall, but it’s been a minute since I’ve read it. Proportionality and reasonableness would still be at play regardless. EU citizenship can’t be easily stripped, not without weighing the proportionality of that loss on a case by case basis.
BetOrnery6293@reddit
Some interesting background in this report: https://ind.nl/nl/documenten/04-2025/onderzoeksrapport-invoeringstoets-evenredigheidstoets-bij-automatisch-verlies-nederlanderschap.pdf The check for proportionality and reasonableness seems to involve the question whether the person was using his rights as EU citizin or whether it could be foreseen that he was going to use his rights at the time he lost citizinship. In most cases (90%), the answer is "no". Then the Dutch government is allowed to cancel Dutch nationality. The report further mentions this also applies to children. The check for proportionality and reasonableness concerned children in 130 cases.
boundlessbio@reddit
Interesting. Do you have this in English by chance? It’s been a bit since I’ve been deep in ECJ case law. I think there are a few cases that go into how proportionality tests should be conducted. It would be interesting to see how NL has been implementing Tjebbes in practice and if they are leaving themselves open to further challenges.
BetOrnery6293@reddit
No, I'm afraid this report is only available in Dutch
boundlessbio@reddit
Too bad, thanks though. I’ll try to run it through a translator when I have time. (:
BetOrnery6293@reddit
Note that you could only loose Dutch nationality if you have another nationality as well. You would have another nationality if your father or mother or grandfather or grandmother is from a country, like Marocco or Turkey (and perhaps more countries), that pass down citizinship from the parents regardless of where you are born (jus sanguinis)
Schylger-Famke@reddit
That clock starts ticking at 18. But on the other hand: if a parent looses their Dutch nationality, so does their minor child generally.
boundlessbio@reddit
There was an ECJ case related to this. I think the clock starts ticking for folks by age 21 as well? I can’t recall the exact age, but the years abroad is different for minor children if I recall correctly. OP has a right to an assessment of proportionality and reasonableness under EU law regardless, per the Tjebbes ruling.
SpaceBetweenNL@reddit
Why are you still in Syria? I thought all younger people left the country in the 2010s. Even Syrians without any connection to the Netherlands nicely live here.
Contact the nearest Dutch embassy, showing them your birth certificate and submitting your biometrics.
Responsible_Guess637@reddit
You have a reddit account but cant google the Dutch? Give us a break.
NewParticular3038@reddit
Maybe you should change your profile picture on reddit (and other social media) to non military pictures.
Having moved to Syria at that time and now showing military affiliation will not help your case
Quiet_Falcon2622@reddit
This. ⬆️
Entebarn@reddit
Did you arrive in Syria with a Dutch passport?
ErrorReplaceUser@reddit
This might be a difficult question, but it is relevant considering the timing. Did your parents travel to Syria to join ISIS? The situation for those that travelled to Syria for that reason and their children is particularly complicated and if so you would not go trough any standard procedure.
chefkoch_@reddit
That doesn't affect is citizenship.
Tall-Firefighter1612@reddit
It doesnt but it can make it complicated to return
chefkoch_@reddit
Why should it? He was propably under 10 when they took him there.
Afaik they have revoked the citizenship of 20 people, and i would guess a lot more went there.
Minskdhaka@reddit
A lot of countries still have not taken back the kids born in Syria or Iraq to their citizens who were members of ISIS. They're stuck in limbo in Syria, for the most part. It's quite unfortunate.
chefkoch_@reddit
But he was born in NL and is citizen.
Alarming_Bottle2752@reddit
Can you hold children accountable for the sins of their parents? Obviously not but goverments do not want to be so graceful and offer support to potential terrorists. That is political suicide.
Spare_Night_2695@reddit
Yep and look at the UK
Shamima begum and her kids lost citizenship
And it would be very political suicide for any party to try undo it cause it’s one thing everyone seems to agree on that she should lose it regardless if they are right or left wing
chefkoch_@reddit
She has no living kids?
Spare_Night_2695@reddit
Oh I assumed kids don’t have citizenship simply cause you need a parent to be British to have British citizenship. Which would mean her kids are the exception
Since she had no citizenship I assumed = not citizen
Obv this depends when they were born so I assumed the ones born after she lost it were stateless
ChaoticMornings@reddit
I think its even more complicated.
I think at a certain time it had to be your mother who's British to apply
And nowadays it can be both of your parents but they also need to have lived or live in the UK.
My grandmother is English, moved to another EU country, my father had both nationalities, but never lived/didn't live in the UK. Which makes me the second generation not being born/living in the UK and I can't apply.
Not that I want UK citizenship so badly, but, after the pandemic, and everything else that is currently going on in the world, I figured more escape-back-ups might be a wise thing.
Spare_Night_2695@reddit
Fair in my case my dad was born British and my mum emmigrated here and through my dad I got citizenship, although by that point my mum had been a citizen for about 6 years
Didn’t know you had to live to maintain it , I assumed it was the Swiss model where you had to confirm you wanted to keep it
Like my parents heritage is from Bangladesh, and technically your able to claim Citizenship from there if your Dad had citizenship , in my case he did , inherited from his dad
But at the same time Bd has strict dual citizenship laws , plus the country is a bit shite so I don’t think I’ll ever bother claiming it
user2196@reddit
Isn’t that requirement only when the child is born? If a parent renounces British citizenship and takes a new country’s citizenship, I don’t think the child automatically loses their citizenship.
Fickle_Syrup@reddit
Jemima Begum would like a word
EveningAnt3949@reddit
She didn't travel with her parents. She willingly joined a terrorist organization without the consent of her parents. Also, a British court ruled that Begum was a citizen of Bangladesh, which means that it was not illegal to revoke her British citizenship.
I wish people would make an effort to read: OP states his parents took him to another country when he was seven years old.
OP claims to be born in the Netherlands and that both parents were Dutch citizens at the time who did not leave the Netherlands out of his own accord.
Spiritual-Loan-347@reddit
Having worked in Syria, trust me, Al Hol refugee camp is full of kids and women who claim European nationality that the authorities will not acknowledge and talk to - many of them innocent kids brought when they were young or who are children of European fighters etc. the rights on ‘paper’ and the reality of being in the desert in a locked camp are very far away from each other. Many countries acknowledge that such cases exist but refuse to rectify it.
Banjoschmanjo@reddit
They aren't asking about IS citizenship, they're asking about Dutch citizenship
IDK--69@reddit (OP)
I understand why you’re asking.
I was a child at the time and had no control over my parents’ decisions. I’m not involved in any of that, and my situation now is about my own legal status and future.
I’m just trying to understand what options I have as someone who was born in the Netherlands and wants to resolve their documents and move forward
ErrorReplaceUser@reddit
In your situation I recommend reaching out to the Red Cross restoring family connections program. (I assume you will have some relatives that are still in the Netherlands). The Red Cross has experience in dealing with people in your specific situation. Here is their Dutch page: https://www.rodekruis.nl/wat-doen-wij/hulp-in-nederland/restoring-family-links/
Minskdhaka@reddit
Was this an ISIS-type situation? Just thinking out loud. Anyhow, if I were you, I would try to contact a Dutch lawyer and see if they can offer any suggestions, and how much they would charge for it.
LittleLion_90@reddit
Do you remember if you still have family that stayed in the Netherlands? They might be willing to help find things out with you and depending on the exact legal situation, be willing to be legally responsible for you if you are able to come.
IDK--69@reddit (OP)
I do have some family in the Netherlands (grandparents and an uncle), but I’m not currently in contact with them and don’t have a way to reach out.
That’s part of why I’m trying to figure this out on my own and through official channels
Alarming_Bottle2752@reddit
You should contact Dutch journalist Sinan Can. He has made several documentaries about the people that went to Syria. He has interviewed lots of grandparents and siblings that stayed behind. Perhaps he can get you in touch with your grandparents or uncle. https://www.ad.nl/buitenland/klaas-ziet-na-tien-jaar-zijn-geradicaliseerde-dochter-terug-in-syrie-eindelijk-oh-mijn-meisje~a9dc827d/
Or contact journalist Marcel van der Steen, who wrote an article about a reunion between grandparents and grandchildren.
Or just contact Algemeen Dagblad https://www.ad.nl/
Alarming_Bottle2752@reddit
https://nos.nl/artikel/695205-jihadist-amersfoort-is-jermaine-w
There were 2 families from Amersfoort that went to Syria. The so called Syriëgangers. Jermaine had been killed in action. https://nos.nl/artikel/2040260-jermaine-w-een-geliefde-die-een-foute-keuze-maakte Are both of your parents still alive? Did you contact your other relatives who are still in the Netherlands? You can contact a journalist from a news paper. They can get you in touch with your grandparents, aunts or uncles.
About your nationality, I am not sure. The Dutch nationality of your parents might have been revoked if they helped IS/ Daesh.
balletje2017@reddit
If I remember correctly the W brothers also had American nationality. At least the one that tried to throw a grenade at the police but hit himself with it.
LaAndala@reddit
Oh no the ages line up with the oldest son of Jermaine, poor kid…
I don’t know how it works if your parents leave to join a terrorist organization, but my son (born outside NL) was born with the Dutch nationality because I’m Dutch, and he can’t lose it automatically unless I lose my nationality, even after he turns 18 he has several years to choose which nationality he wants to keep. So probably depends on whether your parents lost their citizenship.
I think this is far above Reddit pay grade, and your best option is the ministry of foreign affairs and a lawyer, but I feel for you.
PlentyShare6905@reddit
Y’all…. This is bait.
IDK--69@reddit (OP)
Just to clarify since a few people mentioned it:
I understand why my profile picture might seemed confusing. I’m currently in the military here, but that wasn’t really a “choice” in the way people might think.
I grew up in a very unstable environment and didn’t have access to proper education or normal opportunities. At 18, this was one of the only ways available to me to have some income and basic stability.
Alarming_Bottle2752@reddit
Did one of your parents have a different nationality other than Dutch? Perhaps those countries are easier to get a passport of.
https://kinderenteruguitkalifaat.nl/artikelen-rapporten-en-boeken/
Also you should contact this foundation Their goal is to get children back who have been taken to Syria/ Iraq.
FalconSudden1639@reddit
You´re right! look at all the other posts this person made. They simultaneously live in syria, a germanic country and San Diego apparently...
Thebedless@reddit
Right? He is not replying to questions and his profile picture is definetly something...
Maleficent-Bed-7796@reddit
Why did you wait so long? Why didn't you tried this when you were like 16? If you have no papers, no evidence, nothing, dan it wil not work.
IDK--69@reddit (OP)
At that time I had just come out of a very unstable and difficult environment, and I wasn’t in a position mentally or practically to deal with something like this. I also didn’t have the information or guidance to even know where to start.
Now that I’m 18 and in a more stable position, I’m trying to take responsibility and figure things out properly.
Maleficent-Bed-7796@reddit
I can help you a little bit, i can give you a couple of telephone numbers, from dutch government organisations who are able to help people like you. But give me a day, i am busy with my work.
Spiritual-Loan-347@reddit
Listen, can’t say anything on the process, wishing you best of luck.
I would say, based on reading your responses to spend some time to think what exactly you want to do in the Netherlands or why you want to go. It’s pretty hard right now to find work in Europe and the economy is unstable - Dutch housing is notoriously expensive and universities are also very expensive for which you’d need to likely take debt to study. A lot of manual labor jobs in NL require the local language - and doesn’t seem like you speak Dutch. I only flag this because I’ve met and seen a lot of Syrians coming to Europe thinking it’s going to be great and they’re going to make tons of money and succeed etc. and many of them did not. A lot are in debt. Many complain about how they are treated (needless to say the days of sympathy for Syrian refugees is long over - and you will be looked at like a refugee). Before spending a lot of time and money on this, just think really what you want to get out of it first.
IvanStarokapustin@reddit
If your parents had Dutch passports, probably as simple as going to the nearest embassy with that proof.
octopodes_not_octopi@reddit
If the parents were immigrants, and traveled to join the caliphate, they likely either have already had their NL citizenship revoked, or would have upon trying to return.
How that would affect their child is unclear, but I can guarantee you it won't be simple.
arno14@reddit
It also depends on what the child did during his stay in Syria.
There are plenty of stories of kids as young as 14 being trained as ISIS fighters with sufficient fear or radicalization later in life. There’s a name for them: “cubs of the caliphate”. OP’s profile picture certainly doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzies.
I read a report that there were approximately 50,000 family members of ISIS fighters in camps under security of Kurdish forces.
chihuahuafromhell@reddit
What was the profile picture if I may ask??
arno14@reddit
Wearing military fatigues, face (chin to under eyes) largely covered with a fabric mask and wearing black sunglasses.
Schylger-Famke@reddit
Generally if a parent looses the Dutch nationality, so does their minor child. There are exceptions though.
arno14@reddit
Unless the parents are dead or imprisoned jihadis. Which, given timeline and location, isn’t exactly impossible.
Endflux@reddit
It’s tough to see why someone would want to bring a child to Syria to raise them there during difficult times. I’m not sure what you know about our country beyond what you’ve been told, and I can’t help but wonder how it shapes your reasons for wanting to come back at age 18. I’m sorry for the tough situation your parents put you in, hope you find peace and happiness.
Live_Cauliflower7790@reddit
It's not tough to see. His parents were brainwashed jihadists. I empathise with OP, it was not his choice, but on the other hand, he can be just as they are, we don't know.
IDK--69@reddit (OP)
I understand why people might be cautious, but I want to be clear about this
I don’t support any extremist ideology or violence in any form. What I experienced growing up actually had the opposite effect on me — it made me question everything and reject those beliefs completely.
I was a child and had no choice in that situation. Right now I’m focused on building a normal, stable life and moving forward in a positive way.
Sad-Car-7532@reddit
I would get in contact with Dutch legal counsel for nationality law. I can recommend you a firm.
CPD1960@reddit
OP, you say your parents ‘had Dutch nationality’ rather than simply saying they ‘were Dutch’. You then say your family moved to Syria when millions were trying to get out of that country. I conclude that your family was of Syrian origin, and your parents became naturalised Dutch. This doesn’t necessarily exclude you establishing Dutch citizenship but it will likely not be straightforward.
VisKopen@reddit
Most people that went to Syria were not Syrian, but many dual nationals went to Syria and OP may have lost Dutch citizenship in the process.
Topdropje@reddit
I wonder if that's the case they still have the Dutch nationality because they risked being stripped of the Dutch nationality by going to Syria at the time. Don't know all the in and outs though.
VisKopen@reddit
If your parents had any other nationalities they might have lost their Dutch citizenship and you may have lost it as well.
If you are a dual citizen and live outside of the EU or the kingdom of the Netherlands for over 13 years as an adult without having a Dutch passport you will lose your Dutch citizenship though you can prevent that from happening with a declaration that you do intend to keep your Dutch citizenship. So don't let that happen and make sure you get a Dutch passport by the age of 31.
If your parents are Dutch citizens and aren't any citizens of any other country and never have been then you are a Dutch citizen and you cannot lose it unless you get a second nationality. So if this applies to you then do not take up Syrian citizenship.
The problem is going to be evidence. You'll need to prove your Dutch citizenship and you need to prove you haven't lost your Dutch citizenship and you may need to find legal advice.
If you have lost your Dutch citizenship you may be able to reacquire it through the option procedure though I can imagine this might be difficult in your situation.
I imagine your parents travelled to Syria as jihadis which likely means that Syria does not want you and the Netherlands will not want to help you either.
Your starting point would be this: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/passport-id-card/abroad
Gather all your documents and figure out whether you are Dutch or not. Good luck.
TobiNL88@reddit
For everyone wondering, just click OP’s name and see what profile picture he uses for everyone to see.. Casually a big gun in the background..
paraguayian@reddit
Honestly I don’t understand how people are trying to help him
elrobbo1968@reddit
What do you mean by "fixing my situation"?
MF-Geuze@reddit
Your parents took you from the Netherlands, to Syria, eleven years ago? That is such a puzzling decision
settembre55@reddit
magari uno dei due era siriano, che problema c'è la siria è un posto come un'altro con una storia e cultura antichissima. le persono non sono diverse da noi magari avranno religioni diverse ma chi se ne importa? non è che tutti sono feroci terroristi!
uchuskies08@reddit
The ones who went there specifically to join ISIS are though.
pasta-and-panda@reddit
And you know for a fact that is the reason why OPs parents went there? And even if that were the case, what is wrong with what OP above said?
swellfog@reddit
Wow, most naive statement on Reddit today. Impressive.
Only_Plum_8187@reddit
ISIS wannabe terrorists. And frankly we dont want them back.
LadyWithABookOrTwo@reddit
Lots of people travelled to Syria to live in the ISIS caliphate 11 years ago, this person could be their child
MF-Geuze@reddit
Faaaaack. Talk about your parents' life choices fucking you over...
Strong_Revenue_3780@reddit
A bit offtopic.. other parents give there 6 year old a fatbike so the can kill themselfs on that. Bad parenting comes in many ways
BaselessLogic@reddit
Going to live with IS or a fatbike are not even in the same universe of bad parents
HeWhoChasesChickens@reddit
A bit? Yea?
Usual-Package7120@reddit
Yes this one's a doozy isn't it 🤣🤣🤣
Educational_Gas_92@reddit
Unfortunately, that's how life is.
Bored-Viking@reddit
One advantage, there are some authorities in the Netherlands who know exactly who he is...One disadvantage, there are some authorities in the Netherlands who know exactly who he is...
The_Curious@reddit
Look up ISIS Brides Australia
PublicCheesecake9450@reddit
Your best bet is to speak to the Dutch consulate. Call them and go through the menu to speak to someone. You’ll end up speaking to someone who can tell you where to start. This is way too complicated to get a proper response for on Reddit.
Generally speaking, if you have since acquired citizenship of your current country, you may have lost your citizenship rights:
“ As a rule, you lose Dutch citizenship if you voluntarily acquire citizenship of another country. There are 3 exceptions to this:
You were born in the country whose citizenship you have acquired and that country was your principal country of residence when you acquired its citizenship.
As a minor, your principal country of residence for an uninterrupted period of at least 5 years was the country whose citizenship you have now acquired. “ https://www.government.nl/topics/dutch-citizenship/loss-of-dutch-citizenship/automatic-loss-of-dutch-citizenship
If I were in your shoes, I’d contact rechtshulpverlening in the municipality where you were born for legal assistance.
The Netherlands is quite strict about its citizenship rules. If your parents have lost their citizenship then your chances could be slim.
Ridge_Thermal_Wave@reddit
O
wannaBuildASnowplow@reddit
Just start with writing an Email to the embassy. Request your Dokuments.
You’ll need to find a birth certificate. If you can find the city your parents lived in, contact them
Primary-Angle4008@reddit
Op I’d start with requesting a birth certificate from the Gemeente where you were born (town hall of Amersfoort I assume) I’m 46 and just a few weeks ago requested a copy of mine and they send it to me. Just email them, give them your full birth name and date of birth so they can find you and asks them to post it I live in the UK and they posted it to me, just wrote 2 emails and paid £25. I haven’t lived in the Netherlands since I was 5
Then find your nearest embassy and take the birth certificate and any other id documents you have and hopefully they can assist you getting a new passport explaining your situation They will very likely have records of your old passport. You might as well need to fill out a form saying that it has been destroyed or lost I would really do this now though as you just became an adult and that might works in your favor
They will potentially do background checks snd interview re affiliation with isis etc
ArcticWolfl@reddit
No ID needed whatsoever for that birth certificate? That's identity theft waiting to happen after the odildo hack.
Primary-Angle4008@reddit
No they didn’t ask anything, I send one email asking for it with all my details, they send an email back explaining how to pay, I paid and after another email confirming payment and digital copy attached I received it a week in the mail as well. I think they made a mistake as well as I got 2 letters with one birth certificate each
I have to say it’s a really small village but that’s how it went for me
DM_ME_SALAH_GIFS@reddit
You definitely need to ID yourself. He probably used DigiD.
SecondPrior8947@reddit
Are you able to request a copy of your birth certificate from Dutch authorities, and go from there? That said if your parents went to Syria to join IS and live in their so-called Caliphate I imagine your "repatriation" process might be a bit difficult though hopefully not impossible.
WorldSenior9986@reddit
Maybe you should stay there since that is where your family is. What support system would you have if you moved back?
Pretend-Grape-7308@reddit
When I see your profile picture I prefer you do not come back.
Own_Plum4199@reddit
Legal, illegal, terrorist, saint , rapist, king, it doesnt matter. NL will admit anyone to the country
BaselessLogic@reddit
Sounds like bullshit to me.
CandidContract2030@reddit
This is obviously rage bait.
2kokuoyabun@reddit
If your parents are professionals engaging in professional conduct and you have proof, then who knows.
If they are not professionals and defo not Islamist, and you are educated and lucid enough to stake a claim, who knows.
You'd want to make this claim inside of Holland not outside but it depends.
Are the documents linking you to Holland water tight?
Sea-Ad9057@reddit
Contact the dutch consulate or embassy
fanetje@reddit
Try contacting a Dutch immigration lawyer, many of them around
Chi60614NL@reddit
Hi, my son has dual citizenship and one of them is the Dutch nationality. When getting his first passport, the Embassy clearly warned that he loses his nationality in case his passport expires. Therefore I guess your Dutch citizenship expired as well as the maximum expiration time of Dutch passport is 10 years (in case you still had it in your possession). The case might be different in case you didn’t had the Syrian nationality but it seems you have! Let me know if you have any questions, happy to help!
Haunting-Wonder208@reddit
Your parents traveled to Syria at the height of the war? Oof. That might make things complicated.
thugmastershake@reddit
no it doesnt
Tall-Firefighter1612@reddit
You are not even Dutch how do you know
gina9481@reddit
Yeah, probably IS sympathizers. Let's hope these people and their offspring stay over there.
MF-Geuze@reddit
Why their offspring? OP was 7, hardly his fault
gina9481@reddit
Because it's a obviously a huge risk? They were probably raised in an extremist/fundamental islamic environment, who says they haven't adopted a similar belief system that could form a treat to national security. This is already a huge concern in Western European countries in the past two decades.
It's not OP's fault nor the Netherlands' fault, their parents f*cked up their future and these are sadly the consequences.
gina9481@reddit
u/weltkaiser no need to insult & do a quick delete. Leave it up pookie.
Mysterious-Art8838@reddit
Those were removed by a mod
stipikipi@reddit
Damn, youre allowed to have an opinion i guess, bur it doesnt make you a very pleasant person.
Ordinary_Ad_2690@reddit
The truth hurts
Weary_Hold_5634@reddit
I agree with him, no use to bring war-Born children to our country.
Weltkaiser@reddit
By that logic none of us can ever live or move anywhere. Brainless take.
imnotagodt@reddit
Because Isis is everywhere? Ofcourse you can move to places.
octopodes_not_octopi@reddit
The NL might have an obligation to the kid of terrorists, if he held citizenship and revoking it would leave him stateless. They'll likely do everything in their power to revoke it though.
Weltkaiser@reddit
Nothing in the post suggests anything even remotely. You made all of this up based on your racist bias. Please, educate yourself to a point where you can be a valuable member of society and not just a racist loser.
shammy_dammy@reddit
There is a Dutch Embassy in Damascus.
Historical_Angle_123@reddit
If you were born here, then you are Dutch. That's my opinion. Whatever shitty choice your parents made to live under a caliphate should not influence that fact, in my opinion.
Can't imagine they would deny you of being Dutch, to be honest.
Topdropje@reddit
That's going to be hard. Esspecially if you or your parents are related to terrorist attacks or helping that organisation. It could also be that they took your nationality so you are "stateloos" now if you do not have a Syrian nationality either.
I have a feeling your parents didn't move there because they liked the country...
reddit_tat@reddit
Would they take a child’s citizenship because of actions of the parents?
Topdropje@reddit
I don't know but I do remember the government at the time warned people that if they went there to fight for IS that they might loose their Dutch nationality and that they will not get help if things go bad and they want to come back. A while ago they helped some women and children to come back but they will get interrogated and put detention before they have to apear in court. Children will be given to child protective services.
So OP's case will be complicated, he went there as a child with his parents but wants to come back as an adult without having the correct documentation.
Ambitious-Car-537@reddit
I would try checking what the hospitals in the area you lived have on record for births. If born in a hospital would require at least some paperwork. I think best to get some documented facts would be your first step. There has to be a process for getting a reissued birth certificate, the Dutch have a thorough documented process for such things.
reddit_tat@reddit
If OP’s parents took him/her to Syria, with what passport did they do that? If a Dutch passport was ever issued, that should be easy to find.
However, they could have travelled on Syrian passports. But there must be a birth record for OP. It would show the parents. Then, it seems to me that the Dutch embassy/government should have records of the parents entering The Netherlands and what their status was at any given time while there. So it should be straightforward to establish that OP was born in The Netherlands to Dutch citizen parents if that is indeed the case. The question would be if the citizenship of the parents was ever revoked, and if so, how does that affect their minor child?
Due-Weight5949@reddit
Get in touch with the Dutch ‘gemeente’ in Amersfoort. They should have documents that prove that you were born there and your parents were citizens. Explain your situation and ask what is possible and what you would have to do to return to the Netherlands. I would start there
FreakyFridayFR@reddit
OP's Reddit pfp by the way
Usual-Package7120@reddit
Isn't there a birth, deaths, marriage registry you can visit? If you show them your Syrian ID they should be able to provide you with at least a birth certificate and give further instructions to see if you're still a citizen or not.
Silent-Surround-1659@reddit
I would suggest making a video as well on YouTube and TikTok. Tag all government officials and buildings affiliated with the Netherlands.🇳🇱
davidswelt@reddit
Start with a consulate or an embassy that handles cases where you live now. They are part of the MoFA which you have already contacted. It appears there is an embassy in Lebanon, while the one in Damascus is not operating. Right now might not be a good time to be hanging out in Lebanon, but they have a WhatsApp number:
https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/contact/embassies-consulates-general/lebanon/embassy-beirut
If you had paperwork and likely a Dutch passport at some point, there will be records, and you are a citizen without needing to have to "claim" that back. (Your parents must have brought you to Syria with some kind of passport back then.) The consular officer will likely need to advice on a process for finding your records in lieu of you providing your birth certificate. If you can get your birth certificate from your parents, that would be a good start, but just contact the embassy there.
LittleLion_90@reddit
Do we Dutch people even have birth certificates? I have never known about having one and I'm twice OPs age. I think they're only created when needed for other countries, otherwise being registered in a city should be sufficient for things one would have a birth certificate for.
That said Amersfoort should be able to find him in the system.
lillythenorwegian@reddit
Ye of course you can request a copy of them from the gemeente.
Primary-Angle4008@reddit
Yes we have! You can request it at the local Gemeente where you have been born
It’s super easy, I requested mine recently, haven’t lived there in 41 years and moved away as child, two emails and £25 and they posted it to me to London
Invest_help_seeker@reddit
Yes we have the geboortakte which is required by other countries normally in case of any other application.. within NL it’s not required in general and that’s the reason you haven’t heard of it
NielsHNL@reddit
Yes we do, and you need them for certain things.
davidswelt@reddit
Interesting. I'm German + American, and I just made an assumption here. In Dutch it appears to be called "geboorteakte", does that ring a bell?
So for OP, the question is what is needed to issue a passport? It would make most sense that they just look him up in a computer and establish his identity. It's 2026 after alll.
Acceptable_Usual1646@reddit
There is an online form that can be filled out
NoidZ@reddit
Can't you go ask the Embassy? Even it's the Embassy in Beirut? Try and email them at least. They are good people who work there. But I have no idea, since you would become like somewhat seen as a Dutch-Syrian refugee-ish situation. I can ask for you on Friday probably. I probably meet some of them.
I have Syrian friends that I met in Lebanon, some of them were able to move to the US, some stay here and some went back. But it sounds easier from Lebanon. However, Lebanon is relatively expensive right now to sit out this process. Which might take like 6+ months. You would need 10k for 6 months right now I think in order to live a bit ok (rent/electricity/groceries/phone). But it's gonna be nothing fancy, but doable.
Rent: 350-550$
Electricity: 100-200$ (Summer)
Water: 60$ (Summer)
Data: 30$
The rest is groceries and other stuff, but these are certainties
Ok_Willingness_9619@reddit
This remind me of similar situation of ‘ISIS brides’ trying to return to Australia with their kids and government trying their best to stop them. And they have the papers. You no doubt will face much tougher challenges. Due to the fault of your parents and not you. Sorry mate and good luck.
Wonderful_Plenty8984@reddit
no clue that gonna be a hard one
i doubt it ,
Goats_for_president@reddit
r/dualcitizenshipnerds could probably help. Definitely post this there
Eppo_de_Pep@reddit
after 10 years abroad defiantly no and second did your parents register your birth and do you have it still after 10 years it is a no go anymore.
Sue-Jones-123456@reddit
*definitely
cheese2042@reddit
So, your parents traveled to Syria during the civil war and your reddit profil picture is you in military clothes in an outpost in the desert ?
If this is what i think, stay and die in Syria because the only thing waiting for you in Europe is prison.
gina9481@reddit
We don't want the offspring of ISIS-supporters back in our country.
nemmalur@reddit
See if your birth certificate is still on file with Amersfoort and whether your parents were in the personal registry.
alrightfornow@reddit
If you are Dutch it doesn't matter if you have lost your passport or documents. You're Dutch, and you can just contact the Dutch embassy closest to where you are now. They can take the first steps to help you further.
Acceptable_Usual1646@reddit
Yes you can, google it, there is a formal procedure for people like you.