Inburgering Exemptions (A2 & B1): Who Can Skip or Reduce Their Exams?

Whether you need to pass the A2-level inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) or the B1-level Staatsexamen NT2, there are situations where you may not have to sit every exam — or any exam at all. Dutch law provides for vrijstelling (exemption), gedeeltelijke vrijstelling (partial exemption), and ontheffing (permanent waiver). The rules depend on which integration law applies to you — the Wet inburgering 2021 or the older Wet inburgering 2013 — as well as your personal situation, diplomas, and work history.

This guide explains every route to fewer or no exams, based on the official DUO information (as of February 2026). If you're not sure whether you're even required to integrate, start with our guide on who needs to inburgeren.

Key Points at a Glance

Before diving into the details, here's a quick overview of the main ways you might avoid some or all of the inburgering exams:

Full Exemption (Gehele Vrijstelling): No Exams Required

A gehele vrijstelling (full exemption) means you are released from the entire inburgeringsplicht (civic integration obligation). You don't need to take any A2 or B1 language exams, nor the KNM or ONA/MAP components. This applies regardless of which law governs your integration.

Qualifying Dutch Diplomas

If you hold a diploma from a Dutch educational institution at or above a certain level, you can apply for a full exemption. The following diplomas qualify:

A diploma from Belgium or Suriname also qualifies, provided the program was taught in Dutch and you received a passing grade for the subject Nederlands (Dutch). For more about how diplomas and certificates work in the integration system, see our diploma and certificates guide.

Special case: if you hold a diploma from an entreeopleiding (MBO level 1) and became inburgeringsplichtig (subject to the integration obligation) before 1 January 2015, you may also qualify for a full exemption. If you became inburgeringsplichtig between 1 January 2015 and 1 January 2022, an MBO level 1 diploma only exempts you from the ONA exam — not the full requirement.

Currently Enrolled in a Dutch Program (Temporary Exemption)

If you are currently studying at a Dutch institution and your program would grant a full exemption upon graduation, you receive a tijdelijke vrijstelling (temporary exemption). Under the Wet inburgering 2021, this is automatic — you don't need to apply. Under the 2013 Act, you must submit the form 'Aanvraag vrijstelling van de inburgeringsplicht' to DUO, and you must have started the program within 2 months of turning 18.

Once you graduate, the temporary exemption becomes a full exemption. If you drop out or finish without obtaining the diploma, your integration clock starts (or resumes). You'll receive a letter from DUO within 8 weeks.

Long-Term Residents: Aantoonbaar Voldoende Ingeburgerd

Have you lived in the Netherlands for a long time and built a life here? You may qualify for an exemption or waiver on the grounds that you are aantoonbaar voldoende ingeburgerd (demonstrably sufficiently integrated). The conditions are:

To apply, you submit a form to DUO along with a werkgeversverklaring (employer statement). DUO will then invite you for a paid interview (€90) to assess your Dutch. Under the 2021 Act, you use the 'Aanvraag vrijstelling inburgeringsplicht' form. Under the 2013 Act, you use the 'Aanvraag advies of ontheffing' form. DUO decides within 8 weeks after the interview.

AOW Age Reached

If you have reached the AOW-leeftijd (state pension age), you are no longer required to integrate. Your integration obligation runs until you reach the AOW age — after that, you don't need to take any more exams and you can no longer borrow from the DUO loan scheme.

Partial Exemptions (Gedeeltelijke Vrijstelling): Fewer Exams

In many cases you won't be exempt from the entire integration process, but you can skip specific components. This is a gedeeltelijke vrijstelling (partial exemption). The most common scenarios are covered below.

Staatsexamen NT2 Certificates (B1/B2)

If you have already passed one or more onderdelen (components) of the Staatsexamen NT2 — Programma I (B1) or Programma II (B2) — you are exempt from the corresponding language exams in your inburgering. For example, if you passed Staatsexamen NT2 Lezen (Reading) at B1, you don't need to take the A2 or B1 reading exam again.

Under the 2021 Act, this happens automatically — DUO already has your results. Under the 2013 Act, you need to apply for the vrijstelling yourself using the form 'Aanvraag vrijstelling van de inburgeringsplicht'. If you became inburgeringsplichtig before 1 January 2015 and hold a full Staatsexamen NT2 diploma, you may qualify for a complete exemption from all exams.

ONA Exemptions (Multiple Routes)

The Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt (ONA) is the labour market orientation exam under the 2013 Act. There are several ways to get an ONA vrijstelling, depending on your work situation. For a full explanation of both ONA and its 2021 Act counterpart MAP, see our MAP & ONA guide.

Worked in the Netherlands: If you worked in paid employment for at least 6 months (minimum 48 hours per month) in the past 12 months, you can apply for an ONA exemption through Mijn Inburgering. You need to request this yourself. DUO decides within 8 weeks.

Completed MAP: If you successfully completed the Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie (MAP) with your municipality and are integrating under the 2013 Act (or voluntarily pursuing an A2 diploma), you receive an automatic ONA exemption. Your municipality reports the completion to DUO, and you'll get a confirmation letter within 8 weeks.

Self-employed: If you run your own business in the Netherlands, you may qualify if you've been registered with the Kamer van Koophandel (Chamber of Commerce) for at least 6 of the past 12 months with a minimum profit of €4,478.97, if you receive Bbz2004 (self-employed assistance from the municipality), or if your residence permit is for 'Arbeid als Zelfstandige'. Apply using the 'Aanvraag Vrijstelling ONA — zelfstandig ondernemer' form.

International organisation or DGA: If you are a directeur-grootaandeelhouder (DGA, director-major shareholder) or work for a Dutch branch of an international organisation that does not pay Dutch social premiums, you can request an ONA exemption using the 'Aanvraag vrijstelling ONA internationale organisatie' form.

Fully disabled or early retirement: If you are volledig arbeidsongeschikt (fully incapacitated for work) or on volledig vervroegd pensioen (full early retirement), you can apply for an ONA exemption using the general 'Aanvraag vrijstelling ONA' form.

Foreign Diplomas and Other Documents

A foreign diploma, certificate, or getuigschrift (testimony) can grant a partial exemption if it proves you have achieved at least A2 level (under the 2013 Act) or B1 level (under the 2021 Act) in one or more language skills. The institution must be recognised by the government of that country. You apply via the 'Aanvraag vrijstelling inburgeringsplicht' form, and DUO decides what exemption you receive.

Additionally, if you took the Toets Gesproken Nederlands (TGN, spoken Dutch test) as part of the Basisexamen inburgering before 1 November 2014 and scored 37 or higher, and your PIP (persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie) requires A2-level exams, you may qualify for an exemption from the Spreken (Speaking) exam.

Waivers (Ontheffing): When You Cannot Meet the Requirements

An ontheffing (waiver) is different from an exemption. Where a vrijstelling says 'you don't need to because you already qualify', an ontheffing says 'you can't reasonably be expected to meet the requirements'. A waiver permanently releases you from the integration obligation.

Medical Waiver

If a serious, long-term physical or mental health condition makes it impossible for you to learn Dutch or take the exams, you can apply for a medical ontheffing. DUO may refer you to a medical assessment. The condition must be permanent or long-lasting — temporary illness (even if severe) typically leads to extra time rather than a waiver. If you have health issues, the Divosa brochure explains what options are available, including extra time and reduced exams.

Demonstrable Effort — the 600-Hour Rule (Wet inburgering 2013 Only)

This route — officially called ontheffing wegens aantoonbaar geleverde inspanningen (AGI) — only applies if you integrate under the 2013 Act. It does not apply under the 2021 Act. If you've been unable to pass all exams despite genuine effort, you may qualify for a waiver. The conditions depend on the type of course you followed.

For an A2-level (NT2) course, you must have completed at least 600 course hours (only in-person hours count, not online), your integration deadline must have started at least 2.5 years ago, and you must have attempted each exam at least 3 times (with no more than 2 Staatsexamen NT2 attempts counting per exam). You can combine A2 and B1/B2 course hours to reach the 600 total. For a literacy course (alfabetiseringscursus), at least 300 of the 600 hours must be literacy instruction.

If you haven't attempted every exam 3 times, you can still apply — but DUO will then require you to take a paid assessment (leerbaarheidstoets, €150) to evaluate whether you are actually able to learn Dutch. If DUO concludes you can learn the language, the waiver is denied. You must actively participate in the assessment; refusing to answer also results in denial.

For a deep dive into this specific route, including common myths, read our dedicated article on the 600-hour rule.

Exceptional Personal Circumstances (BIO)

In very rare cases, you may receive an ontheffing bijzondere individuele omstandigheden (BIO, waiver for exceptional individual circumstances). This is a last resort — it only applies if no other exemption or waiver route is available, you cannot get extra time, and your personal situation permanently prevents you from integrating. You must have genuinely tried to learn Dutch, and the situation must not be expected to change. Because this is so strict, DUO grants BIO waivers only in truly exceptional cases.

Wet Inburgering 2021 vs. 2013: What's Different?

Which integration law applies to you affects which exemptions are available and how you apply. If you're unsure which law applies, check your PIP or read our article on the Wet inburgering 2021 changes. Here are the main differences regarding exemptions:

Exemptions for Naturalisatie and Stronger Residence Permits

Even if you're not subject to the inburgeringsplicht — for example, because you're integrating voluntarily — you still need an inburgeringsdiploma (civic integration diploma) if you want to apply for naturalisatie (Dutch citizenship) or a stronger verblijfsvergunning (residence permit), such as a permit for onbepaalde tijd (indefinite stay) or EU long-term residency.

The IND handles exemptions for the inburgeringsvereiste (integration requirement for immigration purposes) separately from DUO. You may qualify for an IND exemption if you already hold an integration diploma, have Belgian or Luxembourgish nationality, are under 18 or have reached AOW age, attended Dutch school for 8+ years during leerplichtige leeftijd (compulsory education age), have a qualifying diploma, or can prove medical inability. The process involves filling in the 'Bijlage Inburgeringsvereiste' form and submitting proof to the IND along with your residence or naturalisatie application.

How to Apply for an Exemption or Waiver

The application process depends on what you're applying for, but follows a general pattern:

Next Steps

If you think you may qualify for an exemption, start by checking your status in Mijn Inburgering. Even if you believe you're eligible, it's wise to keep studying while your application is being processed — DUO's 8-week processing time can stretch longer, and you don't want to lose momentum if the exemption is denied.

Not sure whether you need to take exams at A2 or B1 level? Our guide on A2 vs B1 levels explains the difference and which route applies to your situation. If you do need to take exams, you can start preparing with our practice courses while you wait for DUO's decision.

Official Sources