A2 or higher exam proof can count for naturalisation
For Dutch naturalisation, you can use an inburgeringsdiploma at A2 or higher. A Staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2, State Exam Dutch as a Second Language) diploma at B1 or B2 also counts. A vrijstelling (exemption) or ontheffing (dispensation) may apply. In the Netherlands, your gemeente checks your proof. Abroad, the Dutch embassy or consulate checks it.
Which exam level do you need?
An inburgeringsdiploma at A2 or higher counts for Dutch naturalisation. Naturalisation means becoming a Dutch citizen. The Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND, Immigration and Naturalisation Service) (External site, opens in a new tab) checks whether your proof meets the integration requirement.
The Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO, Dutch education service) (External site, opens in a new tab) runs the inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam). For NT2, DUO calls the B1 exam Programma I (programme I) (External site, opens in a new tab) and the B2 exam Programma II (programme II).
You apply for naturalisation at your gemeente in the Netherlands. The IND decides.
Exam proof meets only the integration requirement. You also need to meet the IND naturalisation requirements (External site, opens in a new tab) for residence, identity, public order, the ceremony and giving up your current nationality where required. For help understanding your residence status, see Dutch residence permits: choose the right route. For the wider integration rules, see What is inburgering?.
Which proof can you use?
A zelfredzaamheidsroute (Z-route, self-reliance route) certificate needs a positive advies aantoonbaar geleverde inspanningen (advice on demonstrable efforts) from DUO for a dispensation. The IND rules on naturalisation exam proof (External site, opens in a new tab) list an NT2 diploma as an exam exemption. The table compares the main proof routes.
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| Proof | How it counts | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Inburgeringsdiploma | Proof at A2 or higher. | Keep the digital file: a print of a digital diploma is invalid. |
| NT2 diploma | Exam exemption at B1 or B2. | Use the complete diploma covering reading, listening, writing and speaking. |
| Naturalisation test abroad | Four A2 language exams and Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM, Knowledge of Dutch Society). | Register at a Dutch embassy or consulate. If you take the exam in the Netherlands, you also take Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt (ONA, Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market). |
| Vrijstelling or ontheffing | May cover all or part of the exam requirement. | If you apply in the Netherlands, show originals to your gemeente. If you apply abroad, show them to the Dutch embassy or consulate. |
| Z-route certificate | Records completion of the Z-route. | You also need positive DUO advice on demonstrable efforts. |
A Belgian diploma or certificate can exempt you from the naturalisation integration exam. The education must have been in Dutch and above primary level. The qualification must have been awarded under Belgian education law and bear an apostille (authentication stamp). Show the original to your municipality before booking exams. The IND diploma conditions (External site, opens in a new tab) give the full list.
A qualifying Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (CNaVT, Dutch as a Foreign Language certificate) at A2 or higher exempts you from the language parts and PVT (participation statement process) for naturalisation. You still need the Dutch society and labour-market parts unless another exemption applies. Ask your municipality to check your certificate against the IND partial-exemption rules (External site, opens in a new tab).
Which exams do you take if you live abroad?
The IND naturalisation exam rules (External site, opens in a new tab) list five parts: A2 reading, listening, writing and speaking, plus KNM. You register at a Dutch embassy or consulate. If you live abroad but take the exam in the Netherlands, register with DUO. You also take ONA.
If you think an exemption applies, show your original evidence to the Dutch embassy or consulate. It advises you which parts you need. Give that advice to DUO if you need to take only some parts in the Netherlands.
Which parts do you take voluntarily?
If you live in the Netherlands without an inburgeringsplicht (duty to integrate), you can take the A2 exam through vrijwillig inburgeren (voluntary integration). The IND exempts voluntary candidates from the Participatieverklaringstraject (External site, opens in a new tab). Unless another exemption applies, you take six parts: reading, listening, writing, speaking, KNM and ONA.
DUO issues the digital inburgeringsdiploma when you complete all required parts. If you have an inburgeringsplicht, Mijn Inburgering (My Integration) shows the parts of your own route.
For A2 exam practice, start with DUO’s official practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab). Then use Inburgering.org’s extra free mock exams for more practice.
How do you complete ONA?
You complete ONA with a portfolio and either an eindgesprek (final interview) or a 64-hour approved course. The portfolio has eight resultaatkaarten (result cards) about work and job hunting. You add evidence such as a CV (work and education history). DUO’s ONA instructions (External site, opens in a new tab) give the exam fee as €40 in 2026. The ONA guide explains the tasks.
For the portfolio and interview route, follow these steps:
- Submit your portfolio to DUO for checking. DUO can take up to six weeks.
- Register for the eindgesprek after DUO approves your portfolio.
- Attend the interview. DUO says it takes place within six weeks of registration.
You can take a 64-hour ONA course instead of the interview. The school must appear on the approved-school list linked from DUO’s ONA course instructions (External site, opens in a new tab). You still submit a portfolio. If you submit it by post, DUO requires the interview route.
When can you skip ONA?
You may qualify for an ONA exemption if any one of these situations applies. The examples below come from the IND naturalisation rules (External site, opens in a new tab) and DUO’s ONA exemption rules (External site, opens in a new tab):
- You have reached the AOW (state pension) age.
- You worked in loondienst (as an employee) in the Netherlands for at least six of the 12 months before your exemption request, at least 48 hours in each of those six months.
- You run your own business and meet the conditions for self-employed people.
- You are completely and permanently unable to work, or you have fully retired before state pension age.
- You completed the Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie (MAP, Labour Market and Participation Module) at your gemeente.
In the Netherlands, your gemeente checks which evidence counts for naturalisation. Abroad, the Dutch embassy or consulate checks it. For self-employment, check both the IND naturalisation conditions and DUO’s ONA conditions.
After MAP, your gemeente informs DUO. The request route depends on your reason. The DUO ONA exemption page (External site, opens in a new tab) gives the routes below.
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| Reason | Who contacts DUO | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | You | Mijn Inburgering |
| Self-employment | You | Separate form by post |
| Full incapacity or full early retirement | You | General ONA exemption form |
| Completed MAP | Your gemeente | Informs DUO automatically |
DUO replies to ONA exemption applications within eight weeks. The general ONA exemption form (PDF, 135 KB) (External site, opens in a new tab) also gives this deadline for incapacity and early retirement. DUO does not refund an ONA fee you already paid, so request an exemption before paying.
An ONA exemption covers only part of the exam requirement for naturalisation. In the Netherlands, show your original exemption documents to your gemeente. Abroad, show them to the Dutch embassy or consulate. The office checks your originals. It advises you which exams you need. The ONA exemption guide explains the different cases.
If you need ONA and plan to apply soon, allow time for the portfolio check and interview.
How do you get a copy of your diploma?
After you pass, download your diploma in two steps:
- Choose “Diploma” in Mijn Inburgering to open Mijn diploma’s (My diplomas).
- Download your digital inburgeringsdiploma.
DUO’s diploma guidance (External site, opens in a new tab) says your digital diploma has the same value as a certified copy. Use the digital file. A print of that file is invalid.
You can also request one free paper diploma under “Diploma” in Mijn Inburgering. DUO sends it to your home address within eight weeks. If you cannot log in, contact DUO (External site, opens in a new tab) for help.
What if you cannot pass the exam?
If you live in the Netherlands, you may be able to request an advies aantoonbaar geleverde inspanningen from DUO. The IND dispensation rules (External site, opens in a new tab) distinguish people without an integration duty from people who completed the Z-route. A Z-route certificate alone is insufficient: you also need positive DUO advice.
For the course-and-exam route, DUO requires at least 600 approved-school course hours. You must have attempted each unpassed exam part at least three times. Per language part, at most two attempts may be NT2. The DUO effort-advice form (PDF, 191 KB) (External site, opens in a new tab) gives these conditions.
You can combine A2 and NT2 course hours. If you include literacy-course hours in this route, at least 200 hours must be an A2 integration course. Check DUO’s naturalisation guidance (External site, opens in a new tab) for the course conditions before requesting advice.
The literacy route requires at least 600 approved-school course hours and a learning-ability test. DUO (External site, opens in a new tab) says at least 300 hours must be literacy lessons. IND (External site, opens in a new tab) describes either 600 literacy hours or a mix of at most 300 literacy hours and at least 300 integration hours. These descriptions differ. Ask DUO which mix it accepts for your naturalisation advice before paying for the test.
If illness, disability or very exceptional personal circumstances prevent you from passing, check the dispensation rules. In the Netherlands, ask your gemeente which evidence the IND needs. Abroad, ask the Dutch embassy or consulate. An exemption or dispensation from the integration duty does not always meet the naturalisation rules.
How do you apply for naturalisation?
For an application in the Netherlands, follow the IND naturalisation procedure (External site, opens in a new tab) in this order:
- Check the requirements for your age, residence history, current permit, identity, public order and giving up your nationality.
- Collect the documents on the IND list for your situation. These include a passport or other travel document, birth certificate, proof of lawful residence and integration proof. Your gemeente can confirm any exceptions or extra documents.
- Apply at the gemeente where you live. It checks your documents and sends the application to the IND.
The IND’s decision period is 12 months from the date you pay the application fee. The IND can extend it if more time is needed. Your letter gives the decision deadline. You can follow the application in Mijn IND, linked from the IND naturalisation procedure (External site, opens in a new tab).
After approval, the King must sign the Koninklijk Besluit (Royal Decree). You become Dutch at the required naturalisation ceremony. Attend within one year of the positive decision; otherwise you need to apply again.
If you are married to, or the registered partner of, a Dutch citizen when the Royal Decree is signed, Dutch law allows you to keep your existing nationality. Your other country’s law can still cause automatic loss of that nationality. Check the IND nationality-renunciation rules (External site, opens in a new tab) for the timing and country rules.
Which proof should you arrange first?
In the Netherlands, ask your gemeente to check your proof. Abroad, ask the Dutch embassy or consulate. If you already have a diploma, arrange this check before booking more exams. Keep a digital diploma as a digital file. If you need an ONA exemption, request it before paying the ONA fee. If you cannot pass the exam, check the advice or dispensation route with the office handling your application before applying for naturalisation.
Official Sources
- IND - Civic integration for naturalisation (External site, opens in a new tab) - exam parts including ONA, the PVT exemption for people without an integration duty, ONA exemptions, dispensation, the originals-only check, and the abroad route.
- IND - Becoming a Dutch national through naturalisation (External site, opens in a new tab) - application steps, requirements, decision period, and ceremony.
- DUO - Naturaliseren (naturalisation) (External site, opens in a new tab) - A2 and NT2 routes, exams abroad, Z-route certificates, demonstrable-effort advice and state-pension-age ONA exemption.
- DUO - Kennisexamens (knowledge exams) (External site, opens in a new tab) - ONA eligibility, €40 fee, portfolio, interview timing and the 64-hour course alternative.
- DUO - Vrijstelling ONA (External site, opens in a new tab) - ONA exemption conditions and request routes, 8-week replies and the rule against refunding a paid ONA fee.
- DUO Inburgeren - Diploma (External site, opens in a new tab) - Digital diploma validity, download steps, one free paper diploma and delivery within 8 weeks.
- IND - Inburgering for naturalisation (Dutch source) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Source of record for accepted diplomas, voluntary participation, exemptions, dispensations, original documents and exams abroad.
- IND - Becoming Dutch through naturalisation (Dutch source) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Residence and document requirements, application steps, the 12-month decision period and the ceremony deadline.
- DUO - How Staatsexamen NT2 works (External site, opens in a new tab) - Programma I at B1, Programma II at B2 and the four language skills.
- DUO - Official practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official practice for A2 language skills and knowledge of Dutch society, with links to B1 and B2 practice.
- DUO - ONA exemption application (PDF, 135 KB) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Form for employment, incapacity or early retirement, including the 8-week reply deadline.
- DUO - Advice on demonstrable efforts application (PDF, 191 KB) (External site, opens in a new tab) - 600-hour course requirements, three attempts per unpassed part, the NT2 attempt limit and the literacy-course route.
- DUO - ONA result-card instructions (PDF, 110 KB) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Evidence for the ONA portfolio, including a CV.
- DUO - Contact about inburgering (External site, opens in a new tab) - Contact routes for help with exams, forms and Mijn Inburgering.
- IND: renouncing nationality (External site, opens in a new tab)