Basisexamen inburgering buitenland (exam abroad): prepare for A1 (basic Dutch)

Check whether you need the exam or qualify for an exemption before you pay.

You pass the basisexamen when you score at least 6 out of 10 in each part.

You take the exam on a computer at a Dutch embassy, consulate or another listed location abroad.

Passing the exam abroad is one step in your inburgering (civic integration). After arrival, you may still need to integrate in the Netherlands.

You must pass the exam before applying for an MVV if you need that visa to live with your partner in the Netherlands. The exam also applies if you need an MVV to work publicly as a geestelijk bedienaar (religious minister). Check whether an exemption applies before you pay.

The IND (External site, opens in a new tab) (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst, the immigration and naturalisation service) lists the exceptions. Your nationality, age, residence purpose, previous Dutch-language education and personal circumstances can affect whether you need the exam.

If you are joining your partner, the MVV family reunification guide explains the residence application and the documents you need.

The exam tests knowledge of Dutch society and A1 Dutch reading and speaking. Lezen (reading) takes 5 minutes longer than either of the other parts. These are the official formats in October 2026.

KNS covers life in the Netherlands, including rules, health care, work, school and how people deal with each other.

Lezen tests simple Dutch words and everyday texts. For practice, read signs and short messages.

For Spreken, you record your answers through a headset. The computer presents the questions; you do not have a live conversation with an examiner.

For each part, use the guides to KNS, A1 reading and A1 speaking. The official exam and practice formats (External site, opens in a new tab) show what each task involves.

In 2026, the full exam costs €150. A separate KNS, Lezen or Spreken part costs €50. If you pay €150 for all three parts and later resit only Lezen, your exam fees total €200.

Use the name in your passport and check your email address before you register.

Use Naar Nederland (To the Netherlands) (External site, opens in a new tab), DUO’s exam website, to register and pay. Follow these steps in order:

1. Check the exam locations by country (External site, opens in a new tab).
2. Register for the parts you want to take.
3. Pay the exam fee.
4. Use DUO’s confirmation and candidate number to book your appointment with the embassy, consulate or listed location.

DUO sends the email confirmation within 5 working days after payment. Postal confirmation takes longer. Keep your confirmation and result records.

If your country has no exam location, check a nearby country. You may need a visa to travel there. Ask that country’s embassy about the visa before making travel plans.

You can ask to change your exam date once. Submit the request at least 24 hours before the exam. Contact the embassy or consulate to check whether it can arrange the change. The Examenreglement basisexamen inburgering (External site, opens in a new tab) sets these limits.

For more booking details, use the basisexamen registration guide.

Start with the official Naar Nederland self-study package (External site, opens in a new tab). It covers KNS, reading and speaking. You can download it for free or use the online lessons. You need an account for the online lessons. A physical package is also available to buy.

Use these study tasks to practise all three parts:

• Study the KNS film and the photo questions by theme.
• Practise a little Dutch each day, including reading and speaking.
• Record your speaking answers and check that each answer responds to the question or completes the sentence.
• Take the official DUO practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab) to practise the tasks and timing.

The real exam screen looks different from the official practice screen.

For extra practice from Inburgering.org, use the free A1 study resources. You can also try the free A1 reading mock exam, free A1 speaking mock exam and free KNS mock exam. These are our own practice materials.

Bring all three documents: your appointment confirmation, a valid passport and a recent colour passport photo. The photo must meet the official passport-photo rules.

Staff check your passport, take your fingerprints and enter your details in the computer.

You can take all three parts on one day or on separate days. Taking the whole exam on one day takes about 2 hours, including instructions and breaks.

DUO sends the result within 8 weeks, often sooner. Each part gets a grade from 1 to 10. A computer marks KNS and Lezen. People mark Spreken using the official assessment model. Save the result PDF and include it with your MVV application.

If you fail a part, register and pay again for that part only. Your passed parts remain valid while you work towards passing the whole exam. Once you pass all three, the one-year MVV application window starts.

A vrijstelling means you can apply without taking the exam. Exemption groups include people under 18, people at AOW-leeftijd (state pension age), citizens of certain countries and people with qualifying Dutch-language diplomas. Some residence purposes also qualify. Check the IND exemption list (External site, opens in a new tab) for your situation and the evidence you need.

You can ask for an ontheffing if medical circumstances prevent you from passing. You can also ask if personal circumstances stopped you from passing an exam or part you attempted. IND assesses your request and evidence with the MVV application.

The basisexamen exemptions and waiver guide explains the different cases and evidence. Check the rules before paying for the exam.

After you pass all three parts, you or your referent (sponsor) must apply for the MVV within 1 year. On the partner route, your partner in the Netherlands is your sponsor. If you wait longer than 1 year to apply, you must pass the whole basisexamen again.

After arrival, keep your contact details current with your gemeente (municipality). Keep letters from DUO and the gemeente: they explain your further integration duties. The inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) guide explains the later exams.

If you may qualify for an exemption or waiver, check the IND conditions and evidence before booking.

If you need the exam, study all three parts and use official practice before you register.

If you have passed all three, save your result PDF and submit the MVV application within 1 year of passing. Applying after that window means taking and paying for the whole exam again.

Continue with one of these guides or resources:

• Free A1 study resources
• Basisexamen registration guide
• After the basisexamen: MVV and arrival steps