Netherlands explains how long foreigners must stay in country to become citizens. The combined total of their time in the Netherlands must reach at least ten years, and a valid permit must have been held throughout all those years. A three-year continuous residency route also exists for those living with a Dutch partner. The Dutch partner must hold Dutch nationality at the time the application is submitted, though they do not need to have held it throughout the preceding three years. Even if the Dutch partner passes away during the naturalisation procedure, the applicant may still be granted Dutch citizenship.