Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Dutch Citizens Abroad

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the Dutch diaspora policy infrastructure and key policies (e.g. cultural, economic, and political) implemented in the Netherlands. While presenting some key characteristics of the (history of the) Dutch diaspora, it also discusses a recent controversy over dual citizenship, which provides a relevant context to analyse the architecture of diaspora engagement policies in the Netherlands. Subsequently, we discuss the degree to which the Netherlands implements social protection policies that aim to provide assistance to Dutch nationals residing abroad. Overall, we show that the Netherlands is characterized by a political climate that prioritizes immigration policies over emigration policies and also appeals to individual responsibility whether it concerns Dutch citizens living in the Netherlands or abroad.