What Is Inburgering in the Netherlands?

Inburgering is the Dutch civic integration process. It means learning enough Dutch and enough about life, work and society in the Netherlands to participate independently. For many newcomers it is a legal duty, not just a language course. DUO or your gemeente tells you what applies to you, which route you follow, which exams or modules you need, and when your deadline starts.

• Inburgering is about language, daily life, work, participation and official proof.
• Not every newcomer must integrate. Nationality, age, residence permit, temporary or non-temporary stay, education and exemptions can all matter.
• If you are inburgeringsplichtig, DUO sends an official letter after the basic registration steps are in place.
• Most people have 3 years, but your personal start date and tasks are shown in Mijn Inburgering, your DUO letter or your PIP.
• Under Wet inburgering 2021, the gemeente has a large role and makes a personal plan with you.
• Under Wet inburgering 2013, people usually arrange more themselves and the language exam level is A2 or higher.
• Passing inburgering can help with permanent residence or naturalisation later, but it does not automatically make you Dutch.

The safest answer is: check your DUO letter, Mijn Inburgering and, under Wet inburgering 2021, your gemeente. In general, the duty often applies to non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss newcomers from age 16 until state pension age when they receive a qualifying residence permit for a non-temporary purpose. But there are important exceptions, so do not assume that every non-EU person has the same obligation.

• Family migrants and asylum status holders are common groups who may receive an inburgering duty.
• Students, highly skilled migrants and people with some temporary residence purposes are often treated differently.
• Some people are exempt because of previous education, Dutch diplomas, NT2 proof, long residence and work history, illness or other special rules.
• People who are not required can sometimes integrate voluntarily, for example when they need proof for a future residence or citizenship goal.

This is one of the biggest sources of confusion. The Netherlands still has people completing inburgering under different systems. Your official start date decides which law applies, not the year when you are reading this article.

• Wet inburgering 2021: this applies to people who became inburgeringsplichtig from 1 January 2022. The gemeente invites you for a broad intake, makes a persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie (PIP), and places you in the B1-route, onderwijsroute or Z-route.
• B1-route and onderwijsroute: these are the main Wi2021 routes for learning Dutch at B1 or higher, with different goals for work, volunteering or education.
• Z-route: this route is for people for whom the B1-route or onderwijsroute is too difficult. It focuses on practical Dutch, participation and an end conversation with the gemeente.
• Wet inburgering 2013: this older system still applies to some people who became inburgeringsplichtig before 1 January 2022. They usually need A2 language exams and knowledge exams, and they arrange more of the process themselves.

Inburgering is not one single exam for everyone. Your route can include different parts. Use your PIP or Mijn Inburgering as the final checklist for your own case.

• Dutch language: reading, listening, writing and speaking exams at the required level.
• KNM: Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, an exam about Dutch society.
• PVT: the participation declaration process about basic Dutch values and participation.
• MAP or ONA: labour-market and participation tasks, depending on your law and route.
• Staatsexamen NT2: B1 or B2 state exams may be part of a route or useful as higher-level proof.
• Diploma or certificate: after completing the required parts, you may receive an inburgeringsdiploma or, for the Z-route, an inburgeringscertificaat.

• Wait for official information. DUO sends a letter when you must integrate. For Wi2021, the gemeente will also contact you.
• Make sure your BSN, residence permit and registration with the gemeente are arranged. DUO says the letter may come up to 8 weeks after these are in place.
• Log in to Mijn Inburgering with DigiD and check your start date, deadline and required tasks.
• If you are under Wi2021, prepare for the broad intake and read your PIP carefully before booking anything.
• If you are under Wi2013, make a study and exam plan, and check whether you can use a DUO loan or need to pay yourself.
• Keep copies of letters, diplomas, course contracts, exam results and municipality messages. They matter if you later ask for an exemption, extra time or proof for the IND.

• The A1 basisexamen abroad is usually for MVV applicants before coming to the Netherlands. It is not the same as completing inburgering after arrival.
• Staatsexamen NT2 is a Dutch state exam at B1 or B2. It can be used in some inburgering routes and for other goals, but it has its own registration process.
• Naturalisation is the process of becoming Dutch. Inburgering proof is often needed first, but the IND and gemeente decide the citizenship application.
• A language school can help you study, but it cannot change your official route. Always compare school advice with DUO, your gemeente and Mijn Inburgering.

Use this page as the simple overview. Then choose a deeper guide by your level or exam family. The level on your school advice is not always the same as the level in your official PIP or Mijn Inburgering, so check the official source first.

• A1 abroad: if you are outside the Netherlands and need the MVV exam, read the Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland guide. This is a different exam from inburgering after arrival.
• A2: if your DUO page or old-law route points to A2 language exams, start with the inburgeringsexamen guide and then use the A2 skill guides for reading, listening, writing and speaking.
• B1: if your Wi2021 route points to B1, read the B1-route guide and the Staatsexamen NT2 guide before planning exam dates.
• B2: if you need a higher level for education or work, use the Staatsexamen NT2 guide and the B2 reading exam guide as starting points.
• Not sure what A1, A2, B1 and B2 mean? Read the Dutch language levels guide before choosing practice material.

If you are unsure whether the duty applies to you, start with who must integrate. If you already received a letter, read what to do after a DUO letter. To compare routes, continue with the Wet inburgering 2021 guide or the Dutch exam decision guide.