Inburgering Costs, Loans & Fees: What You'll Pay and How to Finance It

Between exam fees, course tuition, and study materials, the financial side of inburgering (civic integration) catches many newcomers off guard. The total cost depends on which law applies to you, whether you hold asylum status, and how many exam attempts you need. Some people pay nothing out of pocket; others face bills of several thousand euros. This guide lays out every cost you can expect, explains exactly who is responsible for paying, and walks you through the DUO loan system — including how to apply, what the loan covers, and when your debt can be forgiven.

Key Points at a Glance

Here is a quick summary before we dive into the details:

Exam Fees (2025 Figures)

DUO sets fixed prices for every exam component. These fees are the same regardless of which school you attend or where in the Netherlands you live. The exact exams you need to take depend on whether you fall under the Wet inburgering 2021 or the older 2013 Act.

Under the 2021 Act, ONA has been replaced by the Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie (MAP), which you complete through your municipality at no cost. That brings the DUO exam total to €250 under the 2021 Act, or €290 under the 2013 Act. Keep in mind these are per-attempt fees. If you fail a component and need to retake it, you pay the fee again for each new attempt.

Course Costs and Other Expenses

Unlike exam fees, course tuition is not standardised. Each language school sets its own price, and costs can vary significantly depending on the format (group classes vs. private lessons), intensity, and location. An A2-level course might cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand euros. Always request a detailed price breakdown from the school before signing up, and confirm the school is DUO-approved if you plan to use a loan. You can check approved schools on zoekinburgerschool.nl. For help choosing, see our guide on how to pick a taalschool.

There are a few other costs worth knowing about. The participatieverklaringstraject (PVT, participation declaration trajectory) is free under the 2021 Act. Under the 2013 Act it is also free for asylum status holders, but costs €150 for other integrators. Some municipalities reimburse travel expenses if you study outside your hometown — ask your gemeente. And if your children attend childcare while you take a DUO-approved course, you may be eligible for kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare benefit) from the Belastingdienst.

Who Pays for What?

Your financial responsibility depends on two things: which law applies to you, and your immigration status. The table below summarises the main scenarios. If you are unsure which law applies, check Mijn Inburgering or read our article on who must integrate.

The DUO Loan Explained

If you need to borrow, the DUO lening (loan) is the standard financing option. It works differently from a regular bank loan: DUO pays your school or exam centre directly, so the money never enters your bank account. The amount DUO pays on your behalf becomes your debt.

Who Can Borrow

Almost all integrators can apply for a loan, with one major exception: asylum status holders under the 2021 Act cannot borrow, because the municipality already covers their costs. Everyone else — gezinsmigranten, other migrants under either act, and even voluntary integrators from EU/EEA countries (income-dependent) — can apply. You can only use the loan for courses at a school listed on zoekinburgerschool.nl.

How to Apply

Log in to Mijn Inburgering with your DigiD and go to 'Lening aanvragen' (Apply for loan). If you cannot log in, you can also submit a paper form called 'Aanvraag lening' (available as a PDF on the DUO website). Processing takes up to eight weeks.

How Much Can You Borrow

The maximum depends on your situation. Asylum status holders under the 2013 Act can borrow up to €10,000. For non-asylum integrators the amount is based on your household income — DUO decides the exact figure after reviewing your application. As a general rule, you can borrow a maximum of €1,250 per quarter. If your income has dropped significantly since DUO's reference year (two years ago), you can submit a 'Verzoek ander inkomensjaar' form to have them reassess based on your current earnings.

What the Loan Covers (and What It Doesn't)

You can use the DUO loan for language courses at an approved school (A2, B1, or B2 level), literacy courses, a 'taalschakeltraject' (language bridging programme, under the 2021 Act), course materials like textbooks and workbooks, and exam fees. However, the loan does not cover laptops or tablets, enrolment or administration fees, intake costs, copying costs, or travel expenses. When your school sends an invoice, it appears in Mijn Inburgering. You review it and click 'accepteren' to let DUO pay, or 'weigeren' if something looks wrong.

Loan Forgiveness (Kwijtschelding)

One of the most important things to know about the DUO loan is that you do not always have to pay it back. Whether your loan is forgiven depends on your status and whether you meet your deadline.

Full Cancellation

If you are an asylum status holder (or the partner, parent, or child of one) integrating under the 2013 Act, your entire loan is forgiven in three situations: you obtain your inburgeringsdiploma on time, you receive a full ontheffing (exemption) within the deadline, or you are granted a complete vrijstelling (exemption based on prior qualifications). In all three cases the loan converts into a gift and you owe nothing. This is a powerful incentive to finish within your integration deadline.

Partial Cancellation

If you miss your deadline but still have no more than two exam components left, you may qualify for partial forgiveness — provided you complete those components within six months. You can also qualify if you receive an exemption based on demonstrated effort (AGI) or a 'leerbaarheidstoets' (learning ability test) within those six months. You do not need to apply for partial cancellation yourself; DUO assesses this automatically and notifies you by letter.

For gezinsmigranten and other non-asylum integrators, loan forgiveness does not apply. The full amount borrowed must be repaid with interest. Missing your deadline can also result in a fine from DUO, which is added on top of the loan repayment.

Repayment and Interest

If your loan is not forgiven, repayment begins six months after you finish integrating. You get ten years to pay it back, and DUO collects a fixed monthly amount via automatic bank withdrawal. The monthly amount can be adjusted: if your income drops, you can request a lower payment through the 'Verzoek verlagen maandbedrag schuld' form. You can also choose to repay faster or settle the full balance early by contacting DUO through their online form.

Interest accrues on your outstanding balance from the moment you borrow. The rate is set annually by DUO and stays fixed for five-year periods (the 'rentevaste periode'). Recent rates have been:

If you move abroad, you are still required to repay. You must notify DUO of your new address using the 'Wijziging Terugbetalen lening en/of boete' form.

How to Prepare and Next Steps

Understanding the costs is the first step. Here is what to do next to make sure you are financially prepared for your integration journey:

Official Sources

The information in this article is based on the following official DUO and government pages (as of 2025):