Inburgeringsexamen 2026: Complete Guide to All Levels, Exams & Costs

The Dutch inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) is the test every non-EU newcomer must pass to live permanently in the Netherlands. Depending on your situation, you will take the exam at A1 level (before arriving), A2 level, or B1 level (after arriving). This guide covers all three levels in detail—exam components, exact passing scores, costs, and how registration works—so you know exactly what to expect in 2026.

Table of Contents

How the Dutch Integration System Works

The Netherlands requires most non-EU newcomers to demonstrate they can speak Dutch and understand Dutch society. This obligation is called inburgeringsplicht (civic integration obligation) and is governed by the Wet inburgering 2021, which took effect on 1 January 2022. The law applies to anyone aged 16 to the state pension age (AOW-leeftijd) who holds a non-temporary residence permit.

In practice, the integration process has two stages. First, if you are coming from outside the EU to join a partner or work as a religious minister, you must pass the A1-level basisexamen inburgering buitenland (basic integration exam abroad) before receiving your visa. Second, once you are living in the Netherlands, your municipality assigns you a learning route and you must pass the corresponding exam—usually at B1 level, or A2 as a fallback—within three years.

The Three Integration Routes

Under the Wet inburgering 2021, your municipality conducts a brede intake (broad intake assessment) that evaluates your education background, learning ability, and personal circumstances. Based on this assessment, you are placed on one of three routes.

The B1-route is the standard path. You must pass the Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I, which tests all four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing) at CEFR B1 level. There is no KNM component at this level—the society knowledge requirement is considered fulfilled if you passed KNS at the A1 stage or KNM at the A2 stage. If, after at least 600 hours of language classes, you still cannot reach B1, your municipality may allow you to afschalen (downscale) to the A2 exam instead.

The Onderwijsroute (education route) is for newcomers who want to enter Dutch education (MBO, HBO, or university). You follow a taalschakeltraject (language bridge programme) and must pass the Staatsexamen NT2 at B1 or B2 level, depending on your personal integration plan (PIP). The MAP module is waived on this route.

The Zelfredzaamheidsroute (self-sufficiency route) is for people who realistically cannot achieve B1 or follow the education route within the deadline. It focuses on practical language skills, self-reliance, and participation in Dutch society rather than passing a formal language exam.

A1 — Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland

The basisexamen inburgering buitenland is the entry-level exam you take before coming to the Netherlands. It is required for non-EU citizens who want to join a partner in the Netherlands or work as a geestelijk bedienaar (religious minister). Passing it is a prerequisite for your MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf) visa application. The exam takes place at a Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country.

The A1 exam has three components. All are taken on a computer—you do not need to write anything by hand. The total time at the embassy is approximately two hours, including instruction breaks between parts.

A1 Exam Components

The reading component requires 14 out of 19 correct answers to pass. Speaking is scored on adequacy and pronunciation. The KNS section covers topics like Dutch government, healthcare, education, and cultural norms—questions are read aloud so you listen and pick from two options shown with photos.

Note that listening and writing are not part of the official A1 exam. You only need to demonstrate speaking, reading, and society knowledge at this stage.

A1 Costs

Taking all three A1 components together costs €150. If you fail one part, you can retake just that component: speaking costs €60, reading €50, and KNS €40. Results are sent by DUO within 8 weeks (usually faster) as a PDF via email. Once you pass all three parts, you have one year to apply for your MVV—if you miss that deadline, you must retake the entire exam.

A1 Preparation

The official self-study package is called Naar Nederland and is available as a free download at naarnederland.nl in 33 languages. It includes sample exams. Many candidates also supplement this with additional practice materials to build confidence, especially for the speaking component where you must respond to video prompts within a time limit.

A2 — Inburgeringsexamen

The A2 inburgeringsexamen is the standard integration exam for people already living in the Netherlands. Under the old Wet inburgering 2013 this was the default level for everyone; under the current Wet inburgering 2021, A2 is mainly used as a fallback when a municipality determines that someone on the B1-route cannot realistically achieve B1 despite completing at least 600 hours of language classes. All A2 exams are administered by DUO at official exam centers.

The A2 exam has five components—four language skills plus a society knowledge test. Unlike the A1 exam, writing and listening are now included. Each component is taken separately, so you can spread them across multiple exam dates.

A2 Exam Components

A key difference at A2: the writing exam is done on paper (pen and paper), not on a computer. The speaking exam is against a computer—you watch video clips and record your answers through a microphone. Reading, listening, and KNM are all computer-based multiple-choice. Each exam starts with 15 minutes of instruction before the actual test begins.

Under the Wet inburgering 2013, you also needed to complete the ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt) module, which cost €40. Under the Wet inburgering 2021, this has been replaced by the MAP (Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie), which is arranged through your municipality at no additional cost.

B1 — Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I

The Staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2) Programma I is the B1-level exam required for the standard integration route under the Wet inburgering 2021. It is also the exam you need if you want to work or study at MBO level 3 or 4. The exam is developed by the College voor Toetsen en Examens (CvTE) and administered by DUO. Unlike the A2 exam, registration happens through Mijn DUO (duo.nl), not through Mijn Inburgering.

The B1 exam has four language components. There is no KNM or society knowledge test at this level—the Wet inburgering 2021 assumes you have already covered this at the A1 or A2 stage. All four exams are taken on a computer, including writing (you type your answers, unlike the handwritten A2 writing exam).

B1 Exam Components

The B1 exam is significantly more demanding than A2. Writing jumps from 40 minutes with pen and paper to 100 minutes of typed tasks. Listening nearly doubles from 45 to 90 minutes, and you only hear each fragment once. Reading gives you 110 minutes but the texts are substantially longer and more complex. Speaking is scored by two trained human assessors on content, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and tempo.

For the reading and writing exams, you are allowed to bring your own Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2). No other dictionaries are permitted, and no dictionary is allowed during listening or speaking. You receive a paper booklet with the reading texts while the questions appear on screen.

Results are available after approximately 5 weeks via Mijn DUO. The official pass mark uses a converted score of 500 or higher on DUO's scale. Passing all four components earns you the diploma Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I, sent by registered post within 4 weeks. The diploma is valid indefinitely.

KNM & KNS — Dutch Society Knowledge

The integration system includes two different society knowledge exams, and which one you take depends on your level. At A1, you take the KNS (Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving)—30 questions with photos, where each question is read aloud and you choose from 2 options. At A2, you take the KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij)—40 standard multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, covering customs, education, healthcare, housing, history, and geography. You need 26 out of 40 correct to pass.

At B1 and B2 levels, there is no separate society knowledge exam. The assumption is that you have already demonstrated this knowledge at an earlier stage.

Exam Costs Overview

Exam fees are set by DUO and apply per component, per attempt. If you fail a component, you pay again to retake it. Here is a complete breakdown of what each level costs as of 2026.

If you have asylum status (asielstatushouder) and fall under the Wet inburgering 2021, your first two attempts at each component are free—but only at the level specified in your PIP or higher. Additional attempts beyond the second must be paid for. For everyone else, these costs can often be covered by a DUO social loan (lening) or through municipal funding. Payment is via iDEAL at registration, or by invoice up to 3 weeks before the exam.

How Scoring Works

The scoring system differs between the A2 exam and the Staatsexamen NT2 (B1/B2). Understanding how each works can help you set realistic expectations and focus your preparation.

At A2, reading, listening, and KNM are scored automatically by computer. Writing is graded by certified human assessors, and speaking is scored partly by computer and partly by humans. Results are expressed as geslaagd (passed) or niet geslaagd (failed) along with a grade. You receive results within 8 weeks by letter and through Mijn Inburgering.

At B1, reading and listening are computer-scored, while writing and speaking are each graded by two trained human assessors using standardized assessment guidelines. Raw points are converted to a score on a scale; you need a minimum of 500 to pass each component. Results appear on Mijn DUO after approximately 5 weeks.

At both levels, each component is scored independently—if you fail one, you only retake that specific part. Passed components remain valid indefinitely, so there is no rush to pass everything at once.

Booking & Registration

How you register depends on which exam you are taking. The A1 basisexamen is booked through a Dutch embassy or consulate abroad—you fill in an application form, register with DUO, pay the fee, and then schedule your appointment. The A2 inburgeringsexamen is registered through Mijn Inburgering (inburgeren.nl) using your DigiD. The B1 Staatsexamen NT2 uses a separate system: Mijn DUO (duo.nl), also with DigiD. Do not confuse the two portals—A2 and B1 registrations are handled on entirely different websites.

Registration for the Staatsexamen NT2 opens approximately 8 weeks before each exam date, at 09:00 on the date shown in the official exam schedule. Popular cities fill up fast—Amsterdam and Rotterdam slots often book out within days. If you have flexibility, smaller cities like Zwolle or Eindhoven tend to have more availability.

Both A2 and B1 exams are held at DUO exam centers in six cities: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Zwolle. Centers are open Monday through Friday, 9:00–16:30. You must arrive 30 minutes before your exam starts. You will receive an oproepbrief (invitation letter) by post approximately 10 days before your exam date.

Cancellation rules differ by exam. For the A2 exam, you can cancel with a refund up to 14 days before the exam. For the Staatsexamen NT2, the deadline is 4 weeks before the exam—cancel via nt2@duo.nl. Late cancellations receive no refund. If you fall ill on exam day, contact DUO within 10 days with supporting documents to request a replacement exam.

Exemptions & Dispensations

Not everyone has to take the exam. The Wet inburgering 2021 provides two forms of relief: vrijstelling (exemption) and ontheffing (dispensation).

Exemptions apply to people who have already proven their Dutch skills or who are not subject to the integration obligation. You are exempt if you: are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen; have spent at least 8 years in Dutch compulsory education; hold a Dutch educational diploma (MBO 2 or higher, HAVO, VWO, HBO, university); have the Staatsexamen NT2 diploma (Programma I or II); or hold certain comparable diplomas from Belgium, Suriname, or the Dutch Caribbean. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, the US, Switzerland, and Vatican City are also exempt from the A1 exam abroad.

Dispensations are for people who genuinely cannot pass the exam due to circumstances beyond their control. Medical dispensation requires a doctor's examination arranged through the embassy (for the A1 exam) or through a recognized process in the Netherlands—the medical declaration cannot be older than 6 months. Dispensation for personal circumstances requires documented evidence of your efforts (including exam results and scores) and an explanation of why you cannot prepare for or pass the exam.

Deadlines & Fines

Under the Wet inburgering 2021, you have 3 years to complete your integration obligation, starting from the day after your PIP is established. Extensions are possible if you can demonstrate the delay is not your fault and that additional time will lead to completion. The municipality decides on extensions.

Missing deadlines has real financial consequences. The Wet inburgering 2021 specifies the following fines:

Fines for failing to complete the PVT, MAP, or learning route on time can be repeated every 2 years if you remain non-compliant. No fine is imposed if your social assistance (bijstand) has already been reduced for the same reason. The DUO social loan entitlement expires if you have not completed integration within 6 years after the original 3-year deadline.

What to Expect on Exam Day

For A2 and B1 exams at DUO centers in the Netherlands, the experience is similar. Arrive 30 minutes early with your valid ID and oproepbrief. All personal items—phone, watch, jacket, bags—must go in a locker. You will not have access to them during the exam.

Exam content is strictly confidential. You must sign a confidentiality declaration and are not allowed to take photos, make copies, or record anything. If you are caught with a phone or other prohibited item during the exam, your result may be invalidated.

For the reading and writing components (both A2 and B1), you may bring the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek NT2—no other dictionaries are allowed. Dictionaries are not permitted during listening or speaking exams. You can bring food and bottled drinks (cap required, bottle on the floor). DUO provides free coffee and tea in the waiting area, but you must bring your own cup.

Summary / Key Points

Official Sources

How to Prepare / Next Steps

Source: DUO, CvTE/StaatsexamensNt2.nl, Wet inburgering 2021, Rijksoverheid.nl (2026 figures)