Inburgering FAQ: The Three Dutch Integration Exams Explained in English

The Dutch integration system is not one single exam — it is actually three separate exams at three different levels, each designed for a different stage of your journey to the Netherlands. Whether you are still abroad applying for a visa, newly arrived and required to integrate, or voluntarily pursuing permanent residence or citizenship, this FAQ explains which inburgering exam applies to you, what it contains, how much it costs, and how the three exams relate to each other.

Key Points

1. What is inburgering, exactly?

Inburgering (civic integration) is the Dutch government's process for ensuring that long-term residents can function independently in Dutch society. It covers two things: learning the Dutch language to a minimum standard, and understanding how life in the Netherlands works — from making a doctor's appointment to knowing your rights as a worker.

What confuses many English speakers is that "inburgering" is not one exam. Depending on your situation, you may encounter up to three different exams at three different language levels. Each exam serves a different legal purpose. Our full guide to what inburgering means goes deeper into the background, but this FAQ focuses on the practical differences between the three exams.

2. The Three Integration Exams at a Glance

The table below summarises the three exams side by side. Further sections explain each in detail.

3. Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland — The A1 Exam Abroad

The basisexamen inburgering buitenland (basic civic integration exam abroad) is the very first exam in the process. You take it before you move to the Netherlands, at a Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country. It is required for non-EU citizens who need a machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf (MVV, provisional residence permit) — typically family migrants joining a partner or spouse already in the Netherlands.

What does the A1 exam test?

The exam consists of three parts, all taken on a computer at the embassy or consulate. Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving (KNS, Knowledge of Dutch Society) takes up to 30 minutes. Leesvaardigheid (Reading) takes up to 35 minutes. Spreekvaardigheid (Speaking) takes up to 30 minutes. In total, expect to be at the exam location for about two hours. You do not need to write anything — all answers are given on screen or spoken aloud.

Notice that this exam does not include Listening or Writing — those are only tested at the A2 and B1/B2 levels inside the Netherlands.

How much does the A1 exam cost?

The full exam costs €150 for all three parts together. If you fail one part, you only retake that part: Speaking costs €60, Reading costs €50, and KNS costs €40. You register through DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) using the online registration form, pay the fee, and then book an appointment at your nearest Dutch embassy or consulate.

How long are the results valid?

Your results are valid for one year. You must submit your MVV application within one year of passing, otherwise you will need to retake the entire exam. Individual passed components remain valid while you retake any failed parts.

You can prepare using the free official self-study package "Naar Nederland", which is available in 33 languages at naarnederland.nl. It includes sample exams. For a deeper look at this exam, read our complete guide to the basisexamen buitenland.

4. Inburgeringsexamen — The A2 Exam in the Netherlands

Once you arrive in the Netherlands, the next stage is the inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam). This is the standard integration exam at CEFR level A2, designed for people who have an inburgeringsplicht (integration obligation). Most non-EU newcomers who arrived in the Netherlands on a family reunification visa or as asylum status holders are required to pass this exam.

The A2 inburgeringsexamen is also the exam you take if you are voluntarily integrating — for example, as an expat or skilled migrant applying for permanent residence or Dutch citizenship.

What does the A2 exam test?

The inburgeringsexamen has more components than the A1 exam abroad. There are four language exams plus knowledge and participation modules. All language exams are taken on a computer, except Schrijven (Writing), which is done with pen and paper.

Those who became inburgeringsplichtig on or after 1 October 2017 also need to complete a Participatieverklaringstraject (PVT, participation declaration), which is arranged through your municipality. Our overview of all integration exam components breaks down each part in detail.

How much does the A2 exam cost?

Each language component and KNM costs €50 per attempt. The ONA exam costs €40. A complete set of all exams comes to €290 under the Wet 2013, or €250 under the Wet 2021 (where ONA is replaced by the municipality-led MAP module). Under the Wet 2021, asylum status holders get their first two attempts at each component for free. Voluntary integrators pay all costs themselves. Our guide to costs, loans and fees has the full breakdown.

Where can I take the A2 exam?

DUO runs exam centres in cities across the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Zwolle. You register through Mijn Inburgering using your DigiD. Exam dates are available roughly six weeks out, and you choose your preferred city and date when registering.

5. Staatsexamen NT2 — The B1 and B2 Exams

The Staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal (State Exam Dutch as a Second Language, usually called "Staatsexamen NT2" or just "NT2") is the higher-level Dutch language exam. It comes in two programmes:

You do not have to take Programma I before Programma II — you can go directly to whichever level fits your situation. The Staatsexamen NT2 is especially relevant for people on the B1-route or Onderwijsroute under the Wet inburgering 2021, because those routes require B1-level language skills rather than A2. Passing the NT2 also satisfies the language component of the inburgeringsexamen, meaning you do not need to take the A2 language exams separately.

What does the Staatsexamen NT2 test?

The exam has four components, all taken on a computer. Unlike the A2 inburgeringsexamen, the NT2 does not include a KNM or ONA/MAP component — it is purely a language test. However, if you are integrating under the Wet 2021 and follow the B1-route, you will still need to pass KNM and MAP separately.

You need a minimum score of 500 on each component to pass. You can bring a Van Dale Pocket Dictionary (NT2 edition) for the Reading and Writing exams, but no dictionary is allowed during Listening and Speaking. For detailed exam formats and tips, see our guides for Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.

How much does the Staatsexamen NT2 cost?

Each component costs €50. The full exam (all four components) costs €200, the same price for both Programma I and Programma II. You register through Mijn DUO with your DigiD about eight weeks before the exam date. The NT2 is offered in six cities: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Zwolle. If you are inburgeringsplichtig, you may be able to pay from your DUO loan or use a free exam attempt.

6. Do I actually have to integrate?

Many English-speaking expats and skilled migrants are surprised to learn that inburgering is not mandatory for everyone. Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland are exempt. People on temporary visas for work (including kennismigranten), study, or exchange are also typically exempt. Additionally, you are exempt if you are under 18, have reached the AOW pension age, spent 8+ years in the Netherlands during school age, or hold certain Dutch or Belgian/Surinamese educational diplomas.

However, the integration requirement kicks in the moment you apply for a permanent residence permit (onbepaalde tijd) or Dutch citizenship (naturalisatie). Even if you were never inburgeringsplichtig, you will need to demonstrate Dutch language proficiency for these applications. For the full picture on exemptions, read our guide to exemptions and special cases and who must integrate.

7. A2 or B1 — which level do I need?

If you fall under the Wet inburgering 2013, the minimum language level is A2. You take the inburgeringsexamen at A2 and you are done. If you fall under the Wet inburgering 2021 (meaning you became inburgeringsplichtig on or after 1 January 2022), the target level is B1. Your municipality assigns you to one of three learning routes — the B1-route, the Onderwijsroute, or the Z-route — and this determines which exam you take.

On the B1-route or Onderwijsroute, you take the Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I (B1). On the Z-route (zelfredzaamheidsroute), the target is A1 and your municipality arranges the assessment. For voluntary integrators pursuing citizenship, A2 is the minimum, but many choose to aim for B1 because it gives access to better job opportunities and is required for MBO-level education. Our A2 vs B1 comparison guide helps you decide.

8. Is the exam entirely in Dutch?

Yes, all three exams are conducted entirely in Dutch. There are no English translations of questions or instructions during the exam itself. That said, the A1 exam abroad provides study materials in 33 languages through the "Naar Nederland" package, and DUO's website has some pages available in English. But on exam day, everything — instructions, questions, and answer options — is in Dutch.

9. How long do I have to pass?

Under both the Wet 2013 and Wet 2021, you have three years from the date you become inburgeringsplichtig to pass all required exams. Extensions are possible if you can demonstrate that you made a genuine effort, but DUO can impose fines if you miss the deadline without good reason. For the basisexamen abroad, the one-year validity of results is the key deadline — you must apply for your MVV within one year of passing.

Voluntary integrators (e.g. expats pursuing citizenship) are not bound by the three-year rule, but individual exam results do not expire, so you can work at your own pace. For more details, see our guide to the three-year deadline and extensions.

10. Wet 2013 vs Wet 2021 — which law applies to me?

The Wet inburgering 2013 applies if you became inburgeringsplichtig before 1 January 2022. Under this law, you arrange and pay for your own courses, and the target level is A2. The Wet inburgering 2021 applies if you became inburgeringsplichtig on or after 1 January 2022. Under this law, your municipality plays a bigger role: they assign your learning route, help you find a school, and create a Plan Inburgering en Participatie (PIP, integration and participation plan) with you. The target level is B1.

The biggest practical differences are: under the 2021 law, the municipality guides you and the ONA exam is replaced by the MAP (Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie) which you complete with your municipality. Under the 2013 law, you navigate the process more independently. Check Mijn Inburgering to see which law applies to you, or read our guide to the Wet inburgering 2021 changes.

11. Can the Staatsexamen NT2 replace the inburgeringsexamen?

Yes — partially. If you pass the Staatsexamen NT2 (Programma I or II), you satisfy the language requirement of the inburgeringsexamen. You do not need to take the four A2 language exams (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) separately. However, the NT2 is a language-only exam, so you still need to pass the KNM exam and the ONA/MAP module to complete your inburgering. The NT2 diploma is also directly useful for getting into Dutch educational institutions or proving your Dutch level to employers.

12. What if I fail?

You can retake any failed component without having to redo the parts you already passed. For the A1 exam abroad, you re-register and pay for the individual component you failed. For the A2 inburgeringsexamen, you sign up again through Mijn Inburgering and pay €50 per retake. For the Staatsexamen NT2, you register through Mijn DUO. There is no limit on the number of retakes, but each attempt costs money and you need to wait for your results before registering again.

How to Prepare and Next Steps

Knowing which exam you need is the first step. From there, the path depends on your situation and level.

Official Sources