A full NT2 diploma counts for naturalisation
Yes. A full Programma I (programme I, B1) or Programma II (programme II, B2) diploma exempts you from the inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) for naturalisation. Bring the original diploma to your gemeente (municipality). The IND (External site, opens in a new tab) checks your proof and the other citizenship requirements.
Getting your full NT2 diploma
You receive the full diploma after you pass all four parts of Staatsexamen NT2. DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, the Dutch education service) (External site, opens in a new tab) sends the diploma by post if you passed the last part after 1 January 2021.
If you passed all four parts before 1 January 2021 and only have certificates, email nt2@duo.nl to exchange them for a diploma. Contact DUO before your municipality appointment.
NT2 proof for your municipality appointment
Bring a full NT2 diploma as proof of your exam exemption. If you have certificates, check whether they cover all four parts.
You can scroll wide tables sideways.
| Proof | Level | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| NT2 Programma I diploma | B1 | Bring the original diploma as proof of your exam exemption. |
| NT2 Programma II diploma | B2 | Bring the original diploma. B2 is above the A2 level normally required for naturalisation. |
| NT2 certificates for individual parts | B1 or B2 | Check which of the four parts you have passed. The IND lists the full diploma for the NT2 exemption. |
| All four parts passed before 1 January 2021 | B1 or B2 | Email nt2@duo.nl to exchange your certificates for a diploma. |
The IND requires original documents for the exemption. NT2 diplomas and certificates earned after 1 January 2011 are in Mijn diploma's (DUO's diploma register) (External site, opens in a new tab). A free digitaal uittreksel (digital extract) has the same value as the diploma or certificate it records. Ask your municipality how to supply it. For an older document, ask DUO how to obtain official proof.
Prepare for your municipality appointment in this order:
- Read the IND naturalisation requirements (External site, opens in a new tab).
- Contact DUO if you need to exchange your old certificates or obtain official diploma proof.
- Book an appointment at the municipality where you live.
- Bring the original documents the municipality requests.
Other naturalisation requirements
The NT2 diploma covers the exam requirement for naturalisation. The IND also checks the other conditions for becoming Dutch, including all of these:
- You prove your identity and nationality with valid documents.
- You meet the residence and residence-permit conditions that apply to your situation.
- You meet the public-order and national-security conditions.
- You renounce your current nationality, unless an exception applies.
For help identifying your residence route, see Dutch residence permits: choose the right route.
The municipality checks your documents and sends your application to the IND. The IND decides. After approval, the King signs the Koninklijk Besluit (Royal Decree). You become Dutch at the required naturalisatieceremonie (naturalisation ceremony).
If you hold a permanent asylum residence permit, you do not need a national passport for naturalisation. You need a birth certificate only if you were born outside the country you fled. Ask your municipality to apply the IND document exceptions (External site, opens in a new tab) to your evidence list.
Partial NT2 results during civic integration
For the NT2 naturalisation exemption, the IND lists the full diploma. Certificates for individual parts show which language exams you have passed. If you also have to complete inburgering (civic integration), DUO has separate rules for those results:
- Under Wet inburgering 2021 (Civic Integration Act 2021), you keep NT2 passes at the level in your PIP (persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie, personal integration and participation plan) or higher. You do not have to repeat those exams or apply for an exemption.
- Under Wet inburgering 2013 (Civic Integration Act 2013), apply to DUO for vrijstelling (exemption) from the NT2 language exams you have passed.
Check DUO's rules for passed NT2 exams (External site, opens in a new tab) for your law. For help reading your plan, use the PIP guide.
If you still need exam parts or diploma proof, use the NT2 results and resits guide and the diploma and certificates guide.
Naturalisation from abroad
If you qualify for naturalisation from abroad (External site, opens in a new tab), apply at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country where you live. If you already have an NT2 diploma, discuss an exam exemption with that office before booking another exam. Show your original proof.
If you need the naturalisatietoets (naturalisation test), you can take it abroad or in the Netherlands. Abroad, it covers A2 reading, writing, speaking and listening, plus Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM, knowledge of Dutch society). For a test in the Netherlands, you must also pass Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt (ONA, orientation on the Dutch labour market) if you live abroad. An ONA exemption removes this requirement. DUO's naturalisation page (External site, opens in a new tab) explains these exam routes.
NT2 proof mistakes to avoid
A screenshot or informal email is not original diploma proof. Bring the original or ask your municipality how to supply the official digital extract.
Your proof before you apply
If you have a full NT2 diploma, prepare your original proof and check the other naturalisation requirements. If you have only certificates, check your passed parts with DUO before your appointment. If you are choosing an exam, compare A2 and NT2 before you register: naturalisation normally requires at least A2, while NT2 tests B1 or B2.
- Author
- By Inburgering.org team
- Reviewer
- Reviewed by Kirill Svavolia
Official Sources
- Staatsexamens NT2: naturalisation with the NT2 diploma (External site, opens in a new tab) - official NT2 page stating that the Staatsexamen NT2 diploma can be used for naturalisation.
- Staatsexamens NT2: using the diploma for work and study (External site, opens in a new tab) - Programma I is comparable to B1. Programma II is comparable to B2.
- IND: civic integration for naturalisation (External site, opens in a new tab) - Full NT2 diploma exemption, original evidence, decision authority and exam requirements for applicants abroad.
- IND: becoming Dutch through naturalisation (External site, opens in a new tab) - Naturalisation conditions, documents, municipality application, IND decision, Royal Decree and ceremony.
- DUO: exams for naturalisation (External site, opens in a new tab) - DUO guidance that naturalisation usually needs A2 inburgering or Staatsexamen NT2 at B1 or B2.
- DUO: NT2 and civic integration diplomas (External site, opens in a new tab) - inburgering and NT2 diploma notes, including NT2 diploma after passing all four components.
- IND: naturalisation requirements (Dutch source) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Original-language source for the naturalisation conditions and application procedure.
- DUO: NT2 results and diploma documents (External site, opens in a new tab) - Full diploma after four parts, postal delivery, pre-2021 certificate exchange and digital extracts.
- DUO: passed NT2 exams during civic integration (External site, opens in a new tab) - Partial NT2 results under the 2013 and 2021 Acts, PIP level condition and exemption applications.
- IND: becoming Dutch from abroad (External site, opens in a new tab) - Eligibility and application at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country where you live.
- IND: exceptions to passport and birth-certificate requirements (External site, opens in a new tab)