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Diplomats and employees of International Organisations are granted special status which is termed ‘privileged’. The Dutch Aliens Act does not apply to them and instead they are issued a residence permit or residence document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Based on the Aliens Act, holders of a privileged status document may only apply for an indefinite residence permit following a period of 10 years of uninterrupted official residence in the Netherlands. Among the additional possibilities following this length of residence is that of acquiring the Dutch nationality.
The issuance of an indefinite residence permit does mean however forfeiting the privileged status assigned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Loosing this status, especially for the main income earner, means that all other family members also lose their privileged status. Furthermore, no distinction is made between family members who would qualify for an indefinite residence permit and those who would not. It is therefore strongly advised to inform yourself fully about the consequences before deciding to forfeit one’s privileged status.