Inburgering (Civic Integration) Exemptions: When You Can Do Fewer or No Exams

You may be able to do fewer inburgering exams, or no exams, if DUO accepts an official reason such as a Dutch diploma, passed components of the Staatsexamen Nt2 (Dutch as a Second Language state exam), long residence with work in the Netherlands, a serious illness or disability, or a very exceptional personal situation. Vrijstelling and ontheffing mean different things. Vrijstelling usually means an exemption because you already meet a requirement. Ontheffing means DUO releases you because you cannot reasonably meet it.

• Your law, route and required level decide which rule can apply. First check Mijn Inburgering and your personal integration and participation plan (PIP).
• A full vrijstelling removes the integration obligation. A partial vrijstelling removes only one or more exam parts.
• Diplomas and certificates are not accepted automatically in every case. DUO may ask for a form and proof.
• Under Wet inburgering 2021, Staatsexamen Nt2 parts at the level in your PIP or higher usually do not need a separate application.
• Check whether an adapted exam or extra time meets your needs before applying for medical ontheffing.
• The 600-hour or AGI waiver belongs to Wet inburgering 2013. If you are under Wet inburgering 2021, talk to your gemeente when your PIP is not realistic.

Start with the situation that matches your evidence. The table below is not a decision from DUO, but it shows which official route is usually worth checking first.

A diploma can support a full vrijstelling when it meets DUO's conditions. DUO says a full exemption may be possible with vmbo, havo, vwo, mbo level 2 or higher, hbo or university education followed in Dutch, or a Dutch-language diploma from Belgium or Suriname with a sufficient mark for Dutch. DUO can also accept certain documents for partial exemption, such as Staatsexamen Nt2 parts, some Dutch final-exam certificates, or a foreign diploma showing you passed Dutch language parts at least at A2 for Wi2013 or B1 for Wi2021.

• Full exemption means you do not have to complete the inburgeringsplicht.
• Partial exemption means you still complete the parts DUO has not exempted.
• If your proof is foreign, DUO checks whether the institution is recognised by that country's government.
• Do not send original diplomas unless the official form specifically asks for them. DUO usually asks for copies and evidence.

If you already passed Staatsexamen Nt2 Programma I or II components, those parts can count for your inburgering language exams. Under Wi2021, the passed component must match the level in your PIP or be higher. Under Wi2013, you usually request the exemption yourself. Exemptions for Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt (ONA, Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market) remove only the ONA exam. They may apply after MAP completion, recent paid work, self-employment, some international-organisation work, full occupational disability or full early retirement.

Long residence and work is a different route. DUO describes it as vrijstelling wegens aantoonbaar voldoende ingeburgerd under Wi2021 and ontheffing under Wi2013. DUO lists four core conditions: DUO must have told you that you are inburgeringsplichtig, you must have lived in the Netherlands continuously for at least 10 years, you must have worked or volunteered here for at least 5 years, and your Dutch must be good enough. DUO invites you for a conversation, which costs €90 as of May 2026.

A health problem may qualify you for a change to the exam format, the deadline or the obligation itself. DUO can adapt A2 and knowledge exams. DUO may give extra time in some illness situations. In serious lasting cases, DUO can decide on a medical ontheffing after advice from Argonaut. The medical application costs €225 as of May 2026. DUO refunds it only if the ontheffing is granted.

BIO means bijzondere individuele omstandigheden, or special individual circumstances. DUO considers BIO only when no other exemption or extension route applies. You must be inburgeringsplichtig and have tried to learn Dutch. Your situation must prevent you from integrating and be unlikely to change.

The 600-hour rule is an ontheffing wegens aantoonbaar geleverde inspanningen, usually called AGI. It applies to some people under Wet inburgering 2013 who have done many classroom hours and still cannot finish. For the common A2-course path, DUO lists conditions such as a term that started at least 2.5 years ago, at least 600 registered classroom hours, an approved school at the start of the course, and at least 3 attempts at every exam. The 600-hour AGI route does not apply under Wet inburgering 2021. Contact your gemeente if your PIP is no longer realistic.

If you are currently following a Dutch education programme that would give full exemption after you graduate, you may be able to get a temporary vrijstelling. Under Wi2021 this can be automatic, but contact DUO if you received an obligation letter and have been enrolled for more than one month. Under Wi2013 you normally apply with a form, and one condition is that you started the programme no later than 2 months after your 18th birthday. If you reach AOW pension age, the inburgeringsplicht stops, but naturalisation or a stronger residence permit may still need separate proof from the IND or municipality.

• Open Mijn Inburgering and write down your law: Wet inburgering 2013 or Wet inburgering 2021.
• Check your PIP if you are under Wi2021. It says your route, level and required parts.
• Choose one route first: diploma, NT2, ONA, long residence/work, illness, BIO or AGI.
• Use the official DUO form or Mijn Inburgering flow for that route. Do not mix forms from Wi2013 and Wi2021.
• Collect proof before sending: diplomas, certificates, employer statements, Mijn UWV insurance record, school-hour records or other documents named on the form.
• For medical ontheffing, do not send medical papers with a paper form unless DUO asks. DUO explains that Argonaut gives the medical advice.
• Save copies and note the date. DUO says it decides within 8 weeks after receiving a complete application.

If you are not sure whether you are required to integrate at all, start with who must integrate. If the problem is illness or disability, read the medical exemption guide. If you are under Wi2013 and have many course hours, use the 600-hour rule guide. For deadline problems, check extra time for inburgering. If you are taking the A1 basisexamen abroad before an MVV, use the separate basisexamen exemption guide because IND rules are different.