Complete Inburgering Exam Guide 2026: Components, Registration & Costs

The inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) is the formal requirement for most non-EU immigrants to settle permanently in the Netherlands. Whether you arrived before or after January 2022, passing these exams proves you can function independently in Dutch society. This guide covers every component in detail—exact formats, time limits, passing scores—along with registration, costs, and practical tips so you know exactly what to expect.

Key Points at a Glance

Who Must Take the Inburgering Exam?

If you come from outside the EU to live in the Netherlands long-term, you are inburgeringsplichtig (obligated to integrate). DUO sends you a letter confirming this obligation. You then have 3 years (the inburgeringstermijn) to pass all required exams. People who are not obligated—such as EU/EER citizens—can still integrate voluntarily, for example to apply for naturalization or a stronger residence permit.

You are exempt from the integration requirement if you hold nationality of an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, or Switzerland. You are also exempt if you are under 18, above the AOW pension age, lived in the Netherlands for at least 8 years during compulsory school age, hold a qualifying Dutch-language diploma, or are in the country temporarily for study or work. For a full overview of exemptions, see our guide on who must integrate.

Which Law Applies to You: Wi2013 or Wi2021?

There are two integration laws in force, and which one applies to you depends on when you became inburgeringsplichtig. Under the Wet inburgering 2013 (Wi2013), which covers people who became obligated before 1 January 2022, you arrange your own courses and take exams at A2 level. Under the Wet inburgering 2021 (Wi2021), for newcomers from 1 January 2022 onward, your municipality guides you through a personal plan and the target is B1 level (Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I).

The Wi2021 offers three learning routes: the B1-route (the default, targeting B1 exams), the Onderwijsroute (education route, targeting B1 or B2 for mbo/hbo entry), and the Zelfredzaamheidsroute (Z-route, for those where B1 is too difficult, focusing on A1-level self-sufficiency). If you have been following the B1-route for 600+ hours and B1 proves too ambitious, your municipality may allow you to take the A2 exams instead. For more detail, see our guide on the 2021 Integration Act and the A2 vs B1 comparison.

The Six Exam Components in Detail

The inburgering exam consists of four language tests plus KNM and ONA (or MAP). Below you will find the exact format for each component at both the A2 and B1 levels. Every exam includes a 15-minute instruction period before the timer starts.

1. Lezen (Reading)

The reading exam tests your ability to understand written Dutch texts about everyday topics like work, education, and daily life. At A2 level, you answer multiple-choice questions on a computer with texts displayed on screen. You have a maximum of 65 minutes, and the exam is graded automatically by the computer.

At B1 level (Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I), you receive a booklet with 6 texts and 36 multiple-choice questions, answered on computer. Time limit: 110 minutes. Questions range from identifying a text's subject and audience to interpreting conclusions and combining information across passages. You may use a Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek NT2 dictionary during this exam. You need a score of 500 or higher to pass. For focused preparation advice, see our reading exam guide.

2. Luisteren (Listening)

The listening exam measures how well you understand spoken Dutch. At A2 level, you listen to audio and video material and answer questions on a computer. Duration: 45 minutes. The topics cover everyday situations like work, education, and daily life. Grading is automatic.

At B1 level, you hear approximately 5 or more listening texts plus 1–3 video clips, with around 40 multiple-choice questions total. Time limit: 90 minutes. You get 25 seconds to read each question before the audio plays. Speakers may have slight accents but never dialect. Each audio fragment plays only once, so you must focus carefully. No dictionary is allowed. For more tips, check our listening exam guide.

3. Schrijven (Writing)

At A2 level, writing is the only exam done on paper (all others are on computer). You complete 4 writing assignments—such as filling in a form or writing a short letter—within 40 minutes. Your work is graded by certified human assessors.

At B1 level, the exam is computer-based and lasts 100 minutes. It includes three task types: zinstaken (sentence tasks—write or complete a sentence), deelschrijftaken (short messages, filling in forms), and korte schrijftaken (short texts like notes or brief letters). You may use the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek NT2. Two trained assessors grade your work. See our writing exam guide for detailed preparation strategies.

4. Spreken (Speaking)

Both A2 and B1 speaking exams are done on a computer—you speak into a microphone, not to a person. At A2 level, you watch videos and respond to questions. The exam takes 35 minutes and is graded partially by computer, partially by human assessors.

At B1 level, the exam lasts approximately 30 minutes and has two parts: 8 korte spreekopdrachten (short tasks, 20 seconds each) and 8 middellange spreekopdrachten (medium tasks, 30 seconds each). A beep signals when to start and stop speaking. No dictionary is allowed. Two trained assessors evaluate your recordings. For detailed tips, see our speaking exam guide.

5. KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij)

The KNM exam tests your knowledge of Dutch society—healthcare, education, housing, government, work, and social norms. It consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with audio and video material, completed on a computer in 45 minutes. You need at least 26 correct answers (roughly 65%) to pass. The KNM is the same regardless of whether you are on the A2 or B1 track—it does not have separate levels. The exam is graded automatically. For a deep dive into the themes and preparation approach, see our KNM exam guide.

6. ONA and MAP (Work Orientation)

The work orientation component differs depending on which law applies to you. Under Wi2013, you must complete the ONA (Orientatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt): a portfolio of 8 result cards covering career orientation, networking, and Dutch work culture, followed by either a 64-hour ONA course or an eindgesprek (final interview, ~30 minutes with two DUO employees).

Under Wi2021, ONA is replaced by MAP (Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie), which is organized by your municipality and is free of charge. MAP has two parts: labor market orientation and participation (including practical assignments like volunteering or an internship). For a full explanation of both components, see our ONA and MAP guide.

Registration and Scheduling

How you register depends on which exam level you are taking. In both cases, you need a DigiD to log in. If you have trouble with DigiD, see our DigiD troubleshooting guide.

A2 Exams (Inburgeringsexamen)

Register through Mijn Inburgering (mijn.inburgeren.nl) using DigiD, or submit a paper form if you cannot log in. Allow at least 6 weeks of lead time before your desired exam date. DUO sends an oproepbrief (call-up letter) about 1 week before the exam. You can change the date or location up to 14 days before the exam with a full refund. After that deadline you can still cancel up to 1 day before, but without a refund. For more detail, see our Mijn Inburgering guide.

B1/B2 Exams (Staatsexamen NT2)

Register through Mijn DUO (duo.nl) approximately 8 weeks before the exam. Registration opens at 09:00 on dates published in the exam roster—spots fill quickly, so be ready. DUO sends an oproepbrief 10 days before the exam. You can cancel with a refund up to 4 weeks before the exam by emailing nt2@duo.nl. After that, you must still pay.

All exams take place in one of six cities: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Zwolle. You must arrive 30 minutes before the exam starts.

Exam Costs (2025/2026 Figures)

Each attempt at a language component costs EUR 50, regardless of whether it is at A2 or B1 level. You pay per component, per attempt—if you fail, you must pay again to retake.

Payment options include iDEAL and invoicing. Many integrators can borrow from DUO to cover course and exam costs. Under Wi2021, asielstatushouders (asylum permit holders) get their first two attempts per component paid by the municipality. For a full breakdown of costs, loans, and financial support, see our costs and loans guide.

What to Bring on Exam Day

Knowing exactly what to bring (and what to leave behind) can save you stress on exam day. DUO is strict about these rules.

You may bring your own food and drinks (bottles with caps only, placed on the floor). For a complete checklist, see our exam day rules.

Results and Diploma

For A2 exams, results arrive within 8 weeks by letter and in Mijn Inburgering. Computer-graded components (Lezen, Luisteren, KNM) tend to come back faster than human-graded ones (Schrijven, Spreken). For B1/B2 (Staatsexamen NT2), results appear in Mijn DUO after approximately 5 weeks. Once you have passed all components, DUO sends your diploma within 4 weeks. Certificates and diplomas are valid indefinitely. For a more detailed timeline, see our guide on waiting for results.

How to Prepare: Next Steps

Structured preparation is the single biggest factor in passing your exams on the first attempt. Here is a practical approach:

For a week-by-week study plan, see our 30-day study plan.

Official Sources

Source: DUO (inburgeren.nl), CvTE (staatsexamensnt2.nl), Rijksoverheid. Costs and rules as of 2025/2026.