A2 Civic Integration Exam (Inburgeringsexamen): Parts, Costs, and Results

The full A2 inburgeringsexamen is the Dutch civic integration exam at A2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Under the Civic Integration Act 2013 (Wet inburgering 2013), it has five parts: four language exams — Spreken (speaking), Schrijven (writing), Lezen (reading), and Luisteren (listening) — plus Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM, knowledge of Dutch society). You register for and take A2 and KNM through Mijn Inburgering. Under the 2021 Act, A2 downscaling applies only inside the B1-route. After you have followed 600 hours of Dutch-as-a-second-language (NT2) lessons at a qualifying provider and the relevant facts show sufficient effort, your gemeente (municipality) may decide that one or more language components will be examined at A2. The gemeente records those components in the Persoonlijk Plan Inburgering en Participatie (PIP, personal integration and participation plan).

• The full A2 exam under the 2013 law has five parts: Spreken, Schrijven, Lezen, Luisteren and KNM. Some people under that law also take Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt (ONA, orientation on the Dutch labour market).
• You register for A2 and KNM in Mijn Inburgering. Mijn DUO is the portal for Staatsexamen NT2.
• Most parts cost €50 each as of May 2026. ONA, when it still applies under the 2013 law, is €40.
• Reading and writing allow a paper Van Dale NT2 dictionary; speaking, listening and KNM do not.
• A2 and KNM exams are offered in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle.
• You pass each part separately and retake only the parts you fail. DUO sends results within eight weeks.

Whether A2 is your level depends on which law applies and what your gemeente decided. Under Wet inburgering 2013, A2 is the standard inburgering level. Under Wet inburgering 2021, A2 is not a separate downscaled route. Downscaling applies only inside the B1-route. After 600 followed NT2 course hours at a qualifying provider and evidence of sufficient effort during those lessons, the gemeente may record one or more A2 language components in your Persoonlijk Plan Inburgering en Participatie (PIP).

Not sure whether you need A2 or B1? Compare the levels in A2 vs B1 Dutch, and read the B1-route guide if your PIP records one or more B1-route components at A2.

Four parts test language and one tests knowledge of Dutch society. The language parts follow the official A2 format; KNM is a separate multiple-choice exam. Each part has its own timing and rules.

Each part has its own guide: speaking, writing, reading, listening and the KNM exam.

You book A2 language exams and KNM in Mijn Inburgering with DigiD. You choose each part, a city and a date, and you pay per part. As of May 2026, each A2 language exam and KNM costs €50; ONA, which applies only under the older 2013 law, is €40. A full five-part A2 exam therefore costs €250, or €290 when ONA is included. If you are inburgeringsplichtig, you may be able to pay with a DUO loan or use a free attempt.

Exams take place in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle. After payment, DUO sends an oproepbrief (call letter) with the exact place and time. Bring it together with a valid ID, and arrive early.

For step-by-step booking, see registering in Mijn Inburgering, and check the full costs, loans and fees guide.

DUO sends results within eight weeks and also shows them in Mijn Inburgering. Reading, listening and KNM are scored by computer; speaking and writing are assessed by trained assessors. You pass each part on its own, so you only retake the parts you fail, and you keep the parts you already passed.

See A2 results and resits for timing and rebooking, and the results timeline if you are still waiting.

• Confirm A2 is your level by checking Mijn Inburgering and your PIP before you book anything.
• Use the official practice environment on inburgeren.nl so the screen and question style feel familiar.
• Practise each skill separately, then combine them in a weekly plan before your exam.
• For reading and writing, practise with a clean paper Van Dale NT2 dictionary, but do not rely on it for every word.
• An invalid ID or missing call letter can block your exam. Read the exam-day rules before you go.

Start with our free exam practice, then read how to prepare for the inburgering exam and try the free practice tests.

After you pass all five parts, read what happens after passing. For citizenship or a permanent permit, read inburgering for naturalisation and inburgering for permanent residence.