Poorter

In the Dutch Republic, this poorterrecht or poorterschap (citizenship) could be gained by paying 40, later 50 guilders, and registering with the magistrate of the city.

There were also religious restrictions, and numerous cities forbade Jews from attaining citizenship.

Some cities also had grootburgers (grand burghers), who received more rights than normal citizens, but had to pay a higher price to acquire it.

[1] The privileges were abolished after the French invasion of the Austrian Netherlands and the Dutch Republic in 1794-1795.

There was a distinction between the ordinary inhabitants of the city (residents) and the poorters, who enjoyed a higher status because of their origin, education, income, craftsmanship and so on.