Who Must Inburgeren in the Netherlands? Integration Obligation Explained (A2/B1)

If you've recently moved to the Netherlands on a long-term residence permit, there's a good chance you are legally required to inburgeren (civically integrate). That means learning Dutch to at least an A2 or B1 level, passing a set of language and knowledge exams, and completing several mandatory components — all within a three-year deadline. The exact exams and level you need depend on whether you fall under the Wet inburgering 2021 or the older Wet inburgering 2013. This guide explains who is and isn't required to integrate, based on official DUO and Rijksoverheid information (as of February 2026).

Key Points

The rules can feel complex, so here's a quick summary before we go deeper:

Non-EU/EEA nationals aged 18 to AOW age staying long-term are generally required to integrate.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens (and their close family members) are exempt.
Under the Wet 2021 (became inburgeringsplichtig on or after 1 January 2022): your municipality assigns you one of three leerroutes (learning routes) — B1-route, Onderwijsroute, or Z-route — at the A2 or B1 level.
Under the Wet 2013 (became inburgeringsplichtig before 1 January 2022): you arrange your own integration and pass exams at A2 level or higher.
You have 3 years (inburgeringstermijn) to complete the process. Missing the deadline can result in fines up to €1,000.
Certain diplomas, long-term residence, medical conditions, or temporary study in the Netherlands can lead to exemptions or waivers.

Who Is Inburgeringsplichtig (Required to Integrate)?

The Dutch government uses the word inburgeringsplichtig — literally "obligated to integrate" — for anyone who meets all of the following conditions:

You are between 18 years old and the AOW-leeftijd (state pension age, currently 67).
You hold nationality from a country outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
You hold a residence permit for a long-term purpose (not a temporary stay like a short work assignment, au pair arrangement, or student visa).

In practice, the most common groups that must integrate are asielstatushouders (refugees with a residence permit), gezinsmigranten (family migrants who moved to join a partner or family member in the Netherlands), and overige migranten (other migrants with a long-term permit, such as religious workers or certain labour migrants). If you fall into one of these categories, you'll eventually receive a letter from DUO confirming your integration obligation.

How It Starts: The Letter from DUO

You don't need to register for inburgering yourself. Once three conditions are met — you have a BSN (burgerservicenummer), a valid verblijfsvergunning (residence permit), and you are registered at a Dutch municipality — DUO sends you an official letter. This letter confirms that you are inburgeringsplichtig and that your three-year integration clock is about to start. It can take up to 8 weeks after these conditions are met for the letter to arrive.

If you fall under the Wet inburgering 2021, there is an extra step before the clock starts. Your municipality invites you for a brede intake — a thorough intake meeting plus a Leerbaarheidstoets (learning ability test). Together you and the municipality then create a PIP (persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie — personal integration and participation plan). The PIP specifies which leerroute (learning route) you will follow and which exams you must pass. Only after the PIP is finalised do you receive a second letter from DUO with the official start date of your inburgeringstermijn.

Wet 2021 vs. Wet 2013: Which Law Applies to You?

Which integration law governs your situation depends on when you became inburgeringsplichtig. If you are unsure, you can check in Mijn Inburgering.

Wet inburgering 2021 (On or After 1 January 2022)

Under the newer law, municipalities play a much bigger role. After your brede intake, you are assigned to one of three learning routes:

B1-route — the standard path for most newcomers. You take the Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I (B1-level language exams) plus knowledge exams (KNM and MAP). If after 600+ hours of lessons you can't reach B1, your municipality may agree to let you take exams at A2 instead.
Onderwijsroute (Education route) — mainly for younger newcomers preparing for MBO, HBO, or university. You take Staatsexamen NT2 at B1 or B2 level, plus knowledge exams.
Z-route (Zelfredzaamheidsroute) — for people for whom B1 or the education route is too difficult. You learn Dutch at A1 level and focus on social participation. Language and knowledge exams are optional. The route ends with a closing interview at the municipality. For more details, see our Z-route guide.

Your PIP specifies exactly which exams you need. You can always check in Mijn Inburgering. For an overview of all exam components, see our complete exam guide.

Wet inburgering 2013 (Before 1 January 2022)

If you became inburgeringsplichtig before 1 January 2022, the older law applies. Under this law, you arrange your own integration: you choose a language school, follow a course, and pass the inburgeringsexamen at A2 level or higher. The specific exams you need depend on when you became inburgeringsplichtig. For example, people who became inburgeringsplichtig on or after 1 October 2017 must also complete the PVT (participatieverklaringstraject) and the ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt) exam. You can check Mijn Inburgering for the exact list of exams that apply to you.

Who Is Exempt from Inburgering?

Several groups are not required to integrate at all. If you belong to one of the categories below, you have no integration obligation and will not receive a letter from DUO.

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens: if you hold a passport from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you are exempt. This also extends to their close family members, even if those family members hold a different nationality.
Under 18 or past AOW age: if you are younger than 18, you are not yet required to integrate (though you can start voluntarily once you are exempt from compulsory education). If you have reached the AOW-leeftijd (currently 67), you no longer need to integrate.
Temporary stays: people in the Netherlands for a temporary purpose — such as expats on a short assignment, au pairs, or international students — are typically exempt because they do not hold a long-term residence permit.
Eight years of Dutch schooling: if you lived in the Netherlands for at least eight years during the compulsory school age (leerplichtige leeftijd), you are exempt.
Qualifying Dutch diplomas: holding a Dutch diploma at VMBO level or higher (HAVO, VWO, MBO-2+, HBO, or WO) can give you a full exemption. Diplomas from Belgium or Suriname also count if the program was in Dutch and you passed the Nederlands subject. See our exemptions guide for the full list.

There are also situations where you remain technically inburgeringsplichtig but can get an ontheffing (waiver) — for example because of a serious illness or disability, or because you have lived and worked in the Netherlands for over 10 years. These aren't automatic exemptions; you have to apply for them at DUO.

Voluntary Integration

Even if you are not required to integrate, you can choose to do so voluntarily (vrijwillig inburgeren). This is common for people who want to naturalise (become a Dutch citizen) or apply for a stronger residence permit — both of which require proof of Dutch language skills. If you choose to integrate voluntarily, you follow the same process and take the same exams as someone who is obligated to do so.

The Three-Year Deadline and Fines

Once your inburgeringstermijn (integration deadline) starts, you have three years to pass all required exams and complete any other components (such as the PVT or MAP). If you don't finish on time and you have no right to an extension, DUO can impose fines. Under the Wet 2021, fines for not completing your learning route on time can reach €1,000. Separate fines of €340 apply for missing the PVT or MAP deadlines.

After receiving a fine, you do get extra time — typically between 6 months and 2 years depending on how much progress you've made. But the obligation doesn't go away. For full details on deadlines and extensions, see our three-year clock and extra time guide. For a breakdown of fines, see our fines guide.

How to Prepare / Next Steps

If you've received a letter from DUO — or expect to receive one soon — here's what to do:

Check Mijn Inburgering. Log in at inburgeren.nl with your DigiD to see which law applies to you, your start date, your deadline, and which exams you need to pass.
Understand your exams. Read our complete exam guide to understand every component — Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, KNM, and (if applicable) ONA or MAP.
Check for exemptions. If you hold a Dutch or foreign diploma, or if your personal situation is unusual, check whether you qualify for an exemption or waiver before investing time and money in exam preparation.
Start studying early. Three years sounds like a lot, but reaching B1 level takes most people serious effort. You can practice with our exam practice courses, which mirror the format of the real exams at both A2 and B1 level.

Official Sources

For the most up-to-date and legally authoritative information, consult these official sources:

Inburgeren.nl — U gaat inburgeren — DUO's main portal explaining the integration process, learning routes, and deadlines.
Rijksoverheid — Moet ik inburgeren? — the Dutch government's FAQ on who must integrate.
Wet inburgering 2021 (full legal text) — for those who want to read the law itself.

Source: DUO (inburgeren.nl), Rijksoverheid, Wet inburgering 2021 — information current as of February 2026.

Inburgering.org