Free Self Help Resources

Habsburg Legal Services ltd champions the rights of individuals and their international free movement and nationalities. As such we do believe that legal advice or assistance should ideally not be needed. Because the world is unfortunately not ideal and laws and bureaucracy can be quite complex we are still here and we will ignore this self defeating well intended heartfelt intro. Read below and find the links underneath.

Know the Law!
When doing it yourself it is good to read up on the law and understand how it works. The law can be complex. One law may relate to another. However, not everyone understands the legal mumbo jumbo. Don’t forget that if and when you are a dual, triple or a multiple national you deal with not just one country’s law, but all of them. Where it is too complex get help from us or others. Where possible we provide our clients links to the respective laws so that they can learn, and verify, while being helped. If you get advise or a statement from an official (or anyone) ask them on which law, and which article of law and paragraph, this is based on. It is easy for someone to say,… “it is the law”. Let them show you.

Get it in writing
Are you told something is approved, not approved, not allowed, etc. Get it in writing, especially from government officials. Keep your written approvals and other documentation. It can perhaps help you, or your (grand)children, later.

Question authority!
This is our founder’s favourite. If it is not what you wanted, if it doesn’t seem right or just, question authority. Stay polite and friendly but persist. And if you get no (further) cooperation ask for help elsewhere. Get help from us or others.

When not to self help yourself by doing it all yourself!
What a contradiction and confusion! Any self help is good and, where reasonable, supported by us. Just saying,… contacting us is also a form of self help!

• Not sure what you are doing?
  Warning! If you are not sure if what you are doing is right, you need to get additional and likely professional help. Get help from us or others.
• High risk of a major disappointment or negative impact?
  If what you do could result in a big financial loss or even the loss of your nationality, get professional help. Get help from us or others.
• High risk of a negative impact on others?
  Think how your actions could impact on others (family, children) and when you are not sure on how to safeguard them from a negative impact get professional help. Get help from us or others.
• Risk of a negative mark on your name?
  When what you try to do can result in an official refusal it may in some cases result in a negative mark against your name. From credit reports to immigration and… Don’t even start or stop and get help from us or others.
• When in doubt…
  …don’t do it until you get things clarified with professional advice. Get help from us or others.
• Trying alternative or doubtful methods…
  Do not undertake any actions which are not legal. This will likely backfire, now if not later. There are ways to be legally creative but you want to be confident it is indeed legal. If you are not sure…. get help from us or others.

OH NO!!!!! Can I/we/you fix it!?
Have you been told that it is your own fault, that you are too late, or that you are not allowed, or that it is impossible? Fines, deportation, refusals? We don’t like these negativities. Positive thinking please, chill out, peace man!… Get in touch and let us review your situation and see what can be done to fix things. There are no miracles, but there is a lot possible that people don’t really know and/or understand. Get help from us or others.

SELF HELP

Have you read all the above? Compulsory reading!

on Dutch Nationality
Facebook’s Dutch Nationality group is where you can discuss questions on the Dutch nationality law.

We sponsor the voluntary and not for profit organisation Nederlanders in den Vreemde (The Dutch in Foreign Parts) with advice and information on the Dutch nationality law. This information is a good resource to read and may result in you being able to help yourself. Other organisations such as the Stichting GOED and SNBN also copied and make use of the same information and support individuals and Dutch nationals.

The Dutch government has a few websites with relevant information. The main ones are from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Naturalisation Service. You would suspect the government purposely aren’t always clear or explain everything. No, we haven’t got anyone admitting to that and they use a valid excu… point, “the laws are complex and differ per person and situation, it is not possible to put all possibilities clearly on the internet”. Please note, they are listening and improving their website and services.

Self Help on other matters
Over time we will update this page with some more appropriate links and information.