Who is Kris?

Kris is ‘the’ Specialist Dutch Nationality Lawyer (jurist) and founder of our company. He assists with most Dutch nationality / citizenship cases and related immigration matters. He loves to focus on (repair of) Dutch nationality/citizenship. But also has an affinity for EU Freedom of Movement rights and related residence permits.

He comes with a lot of practical experience where other lawyers refer to him in Dutch as “ervaringsdeskundige” (expert by experience). Starting Habsburg Legal Services he wanted to help those in need being challenged with nationality issues. He brings lots of practical and legal knowledge about being a migrant or expat in Netherlands, Australia, United Kingdom, Schengen, Europe/EU and to some extend Thailand and the USA. We have written a little bit more about Kris below the general contact form. When Kris is busy this general contact form can also be answered by colleagues.

In which country are you formally registered as resident? If in more than one, include all.
If you know it use country code. For example, UK is +44, Netherlands is +31, USA is +1, South Africa is +27, China is +86, etc.
Please explain your situation, challenges and your desired outcome. Also let us know how and ‘when’ we can best contact you. Keep time differences in mind.

Background and Future
Kris von Habsburg, a Dutch-Australian-Brit resident in the EU, is the founding director of Habsburg Legal Services ltd. Born and raised in the Netherlands from a family with a truly European history he was one of those backpackers who left after their study to discover the world. He lived and worked in a number of countries. Kris worked for the Dutch government as consular officer and was taught (amongst others) how to deal with the nationality law.

He got courses and was traditionally trained by an old fashioned consul with a couple of shelves full of law books with people waiting at the counter. With a multinational family background himself he had a keen interest in the subject and over time he was described by others as a leading expert on the Dutch nationality law and its history.

Kris von Habsburg currently advises Dutch and foreign lawyers, not for profit foundations, government, politicians, a university and individuals on the subject of nationality/citizenship law. His dream is one where families, loved ones, are no longer separated by our unnatural borders and thus nationalities. The vision he gave to Habsburg Legal Services is that we can help others in their quests for nationality, liberty and security. The security of a (family) life across borders and nationalities. Kris is motivated by “the injustice of it all and my own values and sense of morality” and a very personal motivation as well.

During Covid from our first UK office. Assisting others navigating challenges.
1998 at Royal Netherlands embassy issuing a passport

The good old times!? Not only are passports applications now centrally handled and issued in The Hague. Embassies only take in the applications. These days lots of other consular services have been the victim of centralisation and funding cuts. This has resulted that a lot of front line knowledge is lost. And we can only imagine the work load and pressures on those with knowledge in The Hague. We should question this loss of consular knowledge and skills.