The Limited Europeanization of Domestic Citizenship Policy: Evidence from the Netherlands

This article analyses the Europeanization of domestic citizenship policy by focusing on the attempt to introduce the principle of multiple nationality in the Dutch Nationality Act. Considering that citizenship is often seen as a last bastion of national sovereignty, it is not surprising that neither the European Union nor the Council of Europe could play a decisive role. Nevertheless, the evidence from the Netherlands shows that, resulting from negative integration, the importance of Brussels could increase after a landmark ruling by the Court of Justice, and also that Strasbourg‐based European norms should not be underestimated as they can substantially ‘frame’ domestic discourses.