Inburgeringsexamen: A1, A2, B1 Levels, Exams, and Costs Explained

The inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) is the Dutch test most non-EU newcomers must pass to live in the Netherlands long-term. Which exam you take depends on your situation. If you are joining a partner from abroad, you take the A1 basisexamen inburgering buitenland at a Dutch embassy before you get your visa. Once you are living in the Netherlands, your gemeente (municipality) decides your level — usually B1 under the Wet inburgering 2021, or A2 if B1 turns out to be too hard. This guide explains each level in plain English, with current costs, where you register, deadlines, and what to do next.

• How Dutch integration works (Wi 2021 vs Wi 2013)
• The three learning routes
• A1 basisexamen abroad (before MVV)
• A2 inburgeringsexamen (in the Netherlands)
• B1 Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I
• KNM and KNS: society knowledge
• What it costs
• Where you register
• Exemptions and dispensations
• Deadlines and fines
• Exam day rules
• Summary and next steps

If you live in the Netherlands on a non-temporary residence permit and you are between 18 and the AOW pension age, you are usually inburgeringsplichtig — you must integrate. That means learning Dutch and learning how the country works, and proving it by passing exams. Two laws still matter today: the older Wet inburgering 2013 for people who started before 1 January 2022, and the current Wet inburgering 2021 for everyone after that.

Under the Wi 2021, your gemeente (municipality) does a brede intake with you (a long talk plus the Leerbaarheidstoets, a learning-ability test). Then they write your PIP — your personal integration and participation plan. The PIP says which learning route you follow, which exams you must pass, and at which level. From the day your PIP starts, you have 3 years to finish.

Under the Wi 2021, there are three learning routes. The municipality picks one with you. You don't choose freely on a website.

If you started under the older Wi 2013, you take exams at A2 (or higher) and the path is fixed. Most people do speaking, listening, reading, writing, KNM, ONA and (since October 2017) PVT.

The A1 basisexamen inburgering buitenland is the small Dutch exam you take before you move to the Netherlands. Most people take it because they want a Dutch MVV visa to join a partner here, or to work as a religious worker (geestelijk bedienaar). You take it at a Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country. Passing it is a condition of your MVV application.

The exam has three parts, all done on a computer. You don't have to write anything by hand. You can take all three on the same visit (about two hours total) or one at a time.

There is no writing or listening exam at A1. The free official study package is called Naar Nederland and you can download it in 33 languages, with sample exams included.

The A2 inburgeringsexamen is the standard exam for people already living in the Netherlands. Under the Wi 2013 it was the default for almost everyone. Under the Wi 2021 it is mainly used as a fallback when the gemeente decides B1 is not realistic, usually after at least 600 hours of Dutch lessons. DUO runs the exam at official exam centres.

There are five separate exams. You can take them on different dates and in any order. Each exam starts with about 15 minutes of instructions.

Two surprises catch people out: writing is still done with pen and paper, while everything else is on a computer; and you talk to the computer (not a human) for speaking. DUO grades reading, listening and KNM automatically. Writing and speaking are checked by trained DUO assessors. You get the result in Mijn Inburgering within about 8 weeks.

If you started under the Wi 2013, you also need ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt — orientation on the Dutch labour market). Under the Wi 2021, ONA is replaced by the MAP (Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie). You do the MAP at the gemeente and it is free.

The Staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2) is the higher-level Dutch exam. Programma I is at B1 and is the standard exam for the B1-route under the Wi 2021. Programma II is at B2 and is mainly used for the Onderwijsroute or for jobs and study programmes that ask for higher Dutch. The exam is made by CvTE and run by DUO.

The NT2 has only the four language parts. There is no KNM at this level — your knowledge of Dutch society is assumed to come from earlier study or from the KNS exam at A1. You take all four parts on a computer, and you type your answers in the writing exam (no more pen and paper).

For reading and writing you may bring the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2). No other dictionaries are allowed, and no dictionary at all during listening and speaking. Your result appears in Mijn DUO about 5 weeks after the exam. The pass mark is a converted score of 500 or higher per part. Once you pass all four parts, DUO posts your diploma to your home address. The diploma is valid for life.

Two different society-knowledge exams exist, and which one you take depends on your level.

• KNS (Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving) — at A1, taken abroad. 30 questions with photos. Each question is read aloud; you choose from 2 options.
• KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij) — at A2, taken in the Netherlands. About 40 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes on themes like work, healthcare, education, housing and rights.

At B1 and B2 there is no separate society exam. You are expected to have covered this earlier.

DUO sets the fees per exam part, per attempt. If you fail a part, you only pay again for that part — passed parts stay valid forever. These prices are checked against inburgeren.nl in May 2026 and apply to the Netherlands-based exams. The A1 abroad has its own pricing.

If you have asylum status under the Wi 2021, your first 2 attempts at each exam are free, as long as you take the exam at the level in your PIP or higher. The MAP and PVT through the gemeente are free. Family migrants can borrow from DUO to pay the course and exams (only at goedgekeurde approved schools).

More on borrowing and on what happens if you cannot pay: see the costs and DUO loan guide.

The registration website is different for each exam family. Many people get this wrong on the first try, so check before you log in.

• A1 (basisexamen abroad) — fill in DUO's A1 registration form, pay, then book a date with the Dutch embassy or consulate.
• A2, KNM and ONA — book in Mijn Inburgering on inburgeren.nl with DigiD. You can change or cancel up to 1 week before the exam.
• B1 and B2 NT2 — book in Mijn DUO on duo.nl with DigiD. Registration opens about 8 weeks before each exam at 09:00. You cancel through nt2@duo.nl up to 4 weeks before.

A2 and B1/B2 exams are held at DUO centres in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle. Be there 30 minutes early. You will receive an oproepbrief (call letter) by email and post about a week before the exam, with the address and time.

Step-by-step booking screens for each path are in our exam registration guide.

Not everyone has to take the exam. Dutch law uses two different words. A vrijstelling (exemption) means you don't need to integrate, usually because you already have proof of Dutch. An ontheffing (dispensation) means you must integrate but cannot reasonably do so, usually for medical reasons or after serious effort.

Common exemptions in the Netherlands: an EU/EEA/Swiss nationality, a Dutch school diploma (MBO 2 or higher, HAVO, VWO, HBO, university), or a Staatsexamen NT2 diploma (Programma I or II). 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.

For dispensations, the IND (for the A1 abroad) or DUO/your gemeente (in the Netherlands) decide. A medical dispensation needs a doctor's report. A dispensation on personal grounds needs proof that you tried — for example, exam attempts, course hours and a clear reason why you cannot finish.

Detailed lists, forms and conditions are in our exemptions and special cases guide.

Under the Wi 2021 the inburgering term is 3 years, starting the day after your PIP is set. Two months before the end, DUO sends a reminder. After the deadline, you receive the Vooraankondiging termijnoverschrijding letter, telling you DUO can give a fine. Extensions are possible if the delay is not your fault — your gemeente decides.

After a fine you still have to integrate, and DUO gives you extra time (6 months to 2 years, depending on how many exams you already passed and which route you follow). For the older Wi 2013 the maximum fine for missing the diploma deadline is €1,250 and you also get 2 extra years.

All A2 and NT2 exams in the Netherlands follow the same basic rules. You arrive 30 minutes early with a valid ID and your call letter. Phone, watch, jacket, books and bags go in a locker — you cannot take any of them into the exam room. Before the exam, you sign a confidentiality form: you may not photograph or share any exam content.

Allowed: a valid ID (Dutch passport, EU ID card, residence document, EU driving licence or comparable), your oproepbrief, the Van Dale NT2 dictionary (only for reading and writing), water in a bottle with a lid (kept on the floor), and a cup if you want the free coffee or tea in the waiting area.

Not allowed: phones, smartwatches, your own paper or notes, electronic dictionaries, Google Translate, headphones (DUO provides them), or a dictionary during listening or speaking. If a staff member sees a forbidden item, your exam can be invalidated.

• A1 abroad: 3 parts (speaking, reading, KNS) at a Dutch embassy. Total €150. Result valid 1 year for the MVV.
• A2 in the Netherlands: 5 parts (speaking, writing, reading, listening, KNM). €250 under Wi 2021, €290 under Wi 2013 with ONA.
• B1 NT2 Programma I: 4 language parts, all on computer. €200. Pass mark 500 per part. No KNM.
• Wi 2021: gemeente decides your route (B1, Onderwijs or Z) in your PIP. 3 years to finish. Asylum status holders get 2 free attempts.
• A2 / KNM register in Mijn Inburgering. NT2 (B1/B2) register in Mijn DUO. Different websites.
• Six exam cities for A2 and NT2: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Zwolle.
• Bring a valid ID and oproepbrief. Van Dale NT2 dictionary only for reading and writing.
• Fines for missing the deadline go up to €1,000 (Wi 2021) or €1,250 (Wi 2013), plus extra time.

• Find your level. If you are abroad: A1. If you are in the Netherlands under Wi 2021: check Mijn Inburgering and your PIP. If you started before 2022: A2 under Wi 2013.
• Read our level-specific guides: A1 abroad, A2, Staatsexamen NT2 (B1/B2).
• Try a free practice round in our free exam practice to see where you are.
• If B1 looks too hard after 600+ hours of class, ask the gemeente about downscaling to A2 in your PIP.
• Buy the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek NT2 if you are taking the A2 reading/writing or any NT2 exam.