Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland: A1 Exam Abroad, MVV, and Next Steps

The basisexamen inburgering buitenland is the A1 civic integration exam that some MVV applicants must pass before applying to come to the Netherlands. It has 3 parts: Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving (KNS), reading and speaking. You register with DUO through Naar Nederland, take the exam at a Dutch embassy or consulate, and apply for the MVV within 1 year after passing all 3 parts.

• The exam is before the MVV application, not after you arrive in the Netherlands.
• The 3 parts are KNS, Lezen and Spreken: knowledge of Dutch society, reading and speaking.
• You do the exam on a computer at a Dutch embassy, consulate or listed exam location abroad.
• A score of 6 or higher is enough for each part. You pass the full exam only when all 3 parts are passed.
• If you fail one part, you register and pay again only for that failed part.
• Passing the A1 exam abroad does not finish inburgering. After arrival, you may still need to integrate in the Netherlands.

The IND says the basisexamen is normally required if you need an MVV and want to live in the Netherlands with your partner, or if you will work publicly as a geestelijk bedienaar, such as a religious minister. The exam is tied to the MVV and residence-permit process.

Do not guess based only on someone else's story. Nationality, age, residence purpose, previous Dutch education and special personal circumstances can change the answer. If you are unsure, check the IND page before you pay for an exam.

• KNS: you learn basic facts about life in the Netherlands, such as rules, health care, work, school and how people deal with each other.
• Lezen: you read simple Dutch at A1 level. The tasks use short everyday words, signs, messages and questions.
• Spreken: you answer short questions and finish simple spoken sentences in Dutch. You speak into a headset; there is no live conversation with an examiner.

For focused practice, use the separate guides for KNS, A1 reading and A1 speaking.

The simple route is: register with DUO through Naar Nederland, pay for the exam, receive the confirmation and candidate number, then make the appointment yourself with the embassy or consulate. If your country has no exam location, you may need to choose a nearby country and check whether you need a visa to travel there.

• Full exam: €150 as of May 2026.
• Separate KNS, reading or speaking part: €50 per part as of May 2026.
• Confirmation: usually within 5 working days after payment in the digital route.
• Appointment change: the exam regulation allows one change, up to 24 hours before the exam, if the location can arrange it.

Start with the official Naar Nederland self-study package. It is made for the A1 exam abroad and includes KNS, reading and speaking practice. You can download it for free, use the e-learning route, or buy the package if you prefer the physical materials.

• Study the KNS film and photo questions first, because they explain Dutch society in a predictable way.
• Practise a little Dutch every day instead of waiting until the last week.
• Record your speaking answers so you hear whether your answer is clear and complete.
• Use official practice exams to understand the screen, timing and question style.
• Keep your passport name, DUO confirmation and email address consistent so registration and results are easier to track.

Bring your appointment confirmation, a valid passport and a recent colour passport photo. At the location, staff check your passport, take your fingerprints and put your details into the computer. If you take all 3 parts on one day, the visit takes about 2 hours.

DUO sends the result within 8 weeks, often sooner. You receive a grade from 1 to 10 for each part. KNS and reading are checked by computer; speaking is assessed by people using the official model. Save the result PDF, because you need it for the MVV application.

Some people do not have to take the basisexamen. Common exemption groups include people under 18, people who reached AOW age, citizens of certain countries, people with specific Dutch-language diplomas, and some residence purposes. A waiver may be possible if medical or personal circumstances make passing impossible.

This is a sensitive part of the process, so use the IND rules and evidence list. For more detail, read the basisexamen exemptions and dispensation guide.

After you pass all 3 parts, you or your referent must apply for the MVV within 1 year. Your referent is usually the person in the Netherlands with whom you will live. If the MVV is not applied for within that year, you must pass the whole basisexamen again.

When you get the MVV and move to the Netherlands, stay reachable for the municipality. The A1 exam abroad is only the first step. Read what to do after the basisexamen and the main inburgeringsexamen guide to understand the later steps.

• Check with IND whether the basisexamen applies to your MVV route.
• Download the Naar Nederland package and plan regular A1 practice.
• Register with DUO only when your passport details and exam location are clear.
• After passing, save the DUO result PDF and start the MVV application early.
• After arrival, keep letters from DUO and the gemeente, because they explain your next inburgering duties.