Match the exam to your official requirement
Under Wet inburgering 2013 (Civic Integration Act 2013), you need A2 (simple everyday Dutch) or higher. Under Wet inburgering 2021 (Civic Integration Act 2021), your assigned route sets the exams. Some applications to move require A1 (basic Dutch) abroad. Citizenship and permanent residence have separate integration conditions. For study or work, ask whether B1 (independent everyday Dutch) or B2 (Dutch for complex topics) is accepted.
The four exam levels
Each exam fits a different purpose. This comparison uses the official rules; your letter, application conditions or school requirements determine which exam you need.
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| Level | Exam | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Basisexamen inburgering buitenland (basic civic integration exam abroad) | Before some applications for a machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf (provisional residence permit), MVV. |
| A2 or higher | Inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) | Under Wet inburgering 2013 (Civic Integration Act 2013), or voluntarily for naturalisatie (naturalisation) or stronger residence. |
| B1 | Staatsexamen NT2, Programma I (state exam in Dutch as a second language, programme I) | In the B1-route (B1 learning route), or for study and work at mbo (secondary vocational education) level 3 or 4. |
| B2 | Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II (programme II) | For higher education or work at that level; also where your integration plan specifies B2. |
A1: the exam before moving
You may need the basisexamen before moving to join your partner or work as a geestelijk bedienaar (spiritual counsellor), such as an imam, priest or pastor. This applies if you need an MVV and have no exemption. IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst, the immigration and naturalisation service) (External site, opens in a new tab) lists the exact conditions and exemptions.
The exam has three parts: reading and speaking at A1, plus Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving, KNS (knowledge of Dutch society). You take it on a computer at a Dutch embassy, consulate or external provider. A computer marks reading and KNS; people mark speaking. Naar Nederland (To the Netherlands) exam information (External site, opens in a new tab) explains the format.
In 2026, the full exam costs €150.
After passing all three parts, you have one year to apply for the MVV. Passing this exam meets the requirement before moving. After arrival, you may have a separate integration duty.
See the basisexamen preparation guide for exam details and the family reunification guide for the residence application.
Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are exempt from this exam. The IND also lists other exempt nationalities, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea. Other exemptions can apply even when you need an MVV.
A2: exams under the 2013 law
If your inburgeringsplicht (civic integration duty) began from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2021, the 2013 law applies. You need A2 or higher for the language parts. DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, the Dutch education service) (External site, opens in a new tab) lists the standard parts by start date before exemptions.
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| Start date of your duty | Required parts |
|---|---|
| 1 October 2017 to 31 December 2021 | Reading, listening, writing, speaking; Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (knowledge of Dutch society), KNM; Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt (orientation on the Dutch labour market), ONA; Participatieverklaringstraject (participation declaration process), PVT. PVT applies if you are registered with a municipality. |
| 1 January 2015 to 30 September 2017 | Reading, listening, writing, speaking, KNM and ONA. PVT is not required. |
| 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2014 | Reading, listening, writing, speaking and KNM. ONA and PVT are not required. |
In 2026, each A2 language exam costs €50. You register and pay through DUO. The inburgeringsexamen guide covers the parts; the exam costs and fees guide explains payment and loans.
Without a compulsory duty, you can take the A2 exam voluntarily for naturalisation or stronger residence. In the Netherlands, the voluntary exam includes reading, listening, writing, speaking, KNM and ONA, unless an exemption applies. ONA costs €40 in 2026.
DUO can exempt you from ONA if you worked as an employee in the Netherlands for at least 48 hours a month in 6 of the 12 months before your exemption application. You apply through Mijn Inburgering (My Civic Integration). The ONA exemption guide explains the options; DUO’s ONA exemption rules (External site, opens in a new tab) give the conditions.
A2 covers familiar everyday situations: shopping, asking for directions, filling in a short form, describing your background and understanding short notices. Study and workplace meetings can require longer exchanges on unfamiliar topics. Compare the Dutch language levels before choosing a higher exam.
B1: routes under the 2021 law
If your integration duty began on or after 1 January 2022, Wet inburgering 2021 (Civic Integration Act 2021) applies. Your gemeente (municipality) guides the process. After the brede intake (broad intake), it makes your persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie (personal integration and participation plan), PIP with you. The PIP states your route and exams.
Your municipality assigns one of three routes. The language exams and other required parts differ by route:
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| Route | Language exams | Other required parts |
|---|---|---|
| B1-route | Exams target B1 | KNM; Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie (labour market and participation module), MAP; PVT. |
| Onderwijsroute (education route) | B1 or B2 exams | KNM and PVT. |
| Zelfredzaamheidsroute (self-reliance route), Z-route | A2 exams are optional | Lessons and activities in your PIP, including MAP and PVT; a final municipal interview and certificate. |
The onderwijsroute mainly prepares younger newcomers for mbo, hbo (higher professional education) or wo (university education). A taalschakeltraject (language transition programme) prepares you for further study.
The Z-route teaches practical Dutch and participation for people for whom the other routes are too difficult.
Under the B1-route or onderwijsroute, your PIP specifies the language exam level. Programma I is B1; Programma II is B2.
Check exemptions before booking. Register through DUO for the parts you still need. The exams run in six cities. The NT2 registration guide explains booking.
In the B1-route, you can discuss finishing at A2 with your municipality if you have had at least 600 hours of language lessons and still cannot reach B1. The municipality must approve the change. DUO’s route rules (External site, opens in a new tab) explain this condition.
The standard integration term is three years. Check your personal deadline in Mijn Inburgering.
The 2021 law explainer covers the system. The B1-route guide explains that route in more detail.
B2: proof for higher education and work
Programma II provides B2 proof for study or work at hbo or university level. Programma I provides B1 proof for mbo level 3 or 4. The NT2 exam authority (External site, opens in a new tab) explains that schools set their own admission requirements. Ask the school, employer or professional regulator which diploma it accepts.
Both programmes test reading, listening, writing and speaking. Use the official timetable for Programma I (External site, opens in a new tab) or Programma II (External site, opens in a new tab) to choose a date for each part.
NT2 diplomas remain valid indefinitely.
Build your study plan around your current level and application deadline.
Citizenship and stronger residence
For citizenship by naturalisation, A2 is the standard minimum exam level unless an exemption applies. The IND’s naturalisation rules (External site, opens in a new tab) accept a qualifying inburgeringsdiploma (civic integration diploma) at A2 or higher under either law. A complete NT2 Programma I or II diploma exempts you from the naturalisation integration exam. Your domestic integration duty remains a separate requirement.
Eligible applicants can obtain Dutch citizenship through the optieprocedure (option procedure) without an integration exam. Check the IND’s option conditions (External site, opens in a new tab) to see whether you qualify.
For a stronger residence permit, an NT2 diploma alone is insufficient. The IND decides which diploma, certificate or exemption meets your application’s integration condition. A Z-route certificate can support a stronger-residence application, but alone it is insufficient for naturalisation. Check the residence conditions separately from your integration duty.
Checks before the finder
If your duty began before 1 January 2013, ask DUO which rules apply before using the finder.
Make these checks in order before using the finder:
- Check your duty, law, start date and remaining parts in Mijn Inburgering.
- Check the assigned route and exam level in your PIP if the 2021 law applies.
- Check which exemptions apply before booking.
- Check which diploma your school, employer or regulator accepts for study or work.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens have no domestic integration duty. If you are unsure about yours, check who must integrate.
A qualifying Dutch school diploma may give a full exemption. An NT2 diploma or component certificate may exempt the corresponding language parts while KNM, MAP, PVT or ONA can remain. DUO’s diploma exemption rules (External site, opens in a new tab) distinguish full and partial exemption. DUO decides which parts you still need.
The exam finder
Answer the questions for guidance, then compare the result with your official documents. The finder cannot decide an exemption or approve a change of route. Its citizenship results cover naturalisation; eligible option-procedure applicants need no integration exam.
Which exam do you need?
What best describes your situation?
Official practice for your confirmed exam
Once you have confirmed the exam, start with official practice. Naar Nederland’s self-study pack (External site, opens in a new tab) has free downloads for the exam abroad. DUO’s practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab) cover A2. Official NT2 practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab) cover Programma I and II.
Your exam choice before booking
For a compulsory duty, follow the law and remaining parts in Mijn Inburgering and the route in your PIP. For citizenship or stronger residence, confirm that your proof meets that application’s conditions. For study or work, get the institution’s or employer’s requirements before paying.
Use your personal integration deadline or application deadline to plan. If you need the exam abroad, apply for the MVV within one year of passing all three parts. Check exemptions before paying for exams that may not be required.
Continue with any of these preparation pages:
- Free mock exam selector: extra practice with our own questions, separate from official exam questions.
- 30-day study plan: turn your preparation into a weekly schedule.
- Dutch courses from A1 to B2: extra practice in reading, listening, writing and speaking.
- Author
- By Inburgering.org team
- Reviewer
- Reviewed by Kirill Svavolia
Official Sources
- Inburgeren.nl (DUO's civic integration website) - Welke examens (Which exams) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Required parts under the 2013 law and the role of the personal plan under the 2021 law.
- Inburgeren.nl - Obtained a diploma (External site, opens in a new tab) - DUO's distinction between full exemption and partial exemption, including NT2 diplomas and component certificates.
- Rijksoverheid (Dutch government) - Wet inburgering 2021 (External site, opens in a new tab) - The three learning routes, municipal support and the three-year integration term.
- Inburgeren.nl - Naturaliseren (Naturalisation) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Which inburgering exams or NT2 diploma can be used to apply for Dutch citizenship.
- Inburgeren.nl - Kennisexamens (Knowledge exams) (External site, opens in a new tab) - DUO rule that ONA applies under the Wet inburgering 2013 and to voluntary integrators, and the €40 ONA fee.
- Inburgeren.nl - Vrijstelling ONA (External site, opens in a new tab) - ONA exemptions, including the work exemption you request yourself in Mijn Inburgering.
- Inburgeren.nl - Sterkere verblijfsvergunning (Stronger residence permit) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Integration diplomas and Z-route certificates for stronger residence; these conditions differ from the domestic duty.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Inburgeren met het staatsexamen Nt2 (External site, opens in a new tab) - State exams for integration, learning routes and the personal integration plan.
- Naar Nederland (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official self-study materials and information about the basisexamen inburgering buitenland.
- IND - Civic integration exam abroad (External site, opens in a new tab) - IND page on who must pass the basisexamen abroad before applying for an MVV.
- Inburgeren.nl - In het kort (In brief) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Route components, personal plan, three-year term and possible A2 reduction after 600 language-lesson hours.
- Inburgeren.nl - Hoeveel kost inburgeren? (How much does integration cost?) (External site, opens in a new tab) - A2 language exams cost €50 each; ONA costs €40.
- Naar Nederland - Leren voor het examen (Studying for the exam) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Three exam parts, A1 reading and speaking, and free downloadable study materials.
- Naar Nederland - Examen doen (Taking the exam) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Computer exam and how the three parts are marked.
- Naar Nederland - Na het examen (After the exam) (External site, opens in a new tab) - The one-year application window begins after passing the complete exam.
- IND - Basisexamen inburgering in het buitenland (External site, opens in a new tab) - Who needs the exam, exemptions, exam locations and the one-year application window.
- IND - Inburgering voor naturalisatie (Integration for naturalisation) (External site, opens in a new tab) - A2 minimum for naturalisation, applicable exemptions and the option procedure without an integration exam.
- DUO - Naturalisatie en ander type verblijfsvergunning (Naturalisation and another residence-permit type) (External site, opens in a new tab) - An NT2 diploma alone is insufficient for stronger residence; domestic exemptions do not automatically cover status applications.
- Rijksoverheid - Moet ik als nieuwkomer inburgeren? (Must I integrate as a newcomer?) (External site, opens in a new tab) - EU, EEA and Swiss nationality exemptions from the domestic integration duty.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Wat is het staatsexamen Nt2? (What is the NT2 state exam?) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Programme levels, intended study and work settings, and four language skills.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Hoe gebruik je het diploma? (How do you use the diploma?) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Schools set their admission requirements; employers decide which proof they need.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Aanmelden bij DUO (External site, opens in a new tab) - Registration through DUO and the six examination cities.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Uitslag via DUO (External site, opens in a new tab) - NT2 diplomas and certificates are valid indefinitely.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Examenrooster Programma II (External site, opens in a new tab) - Examination dates for Programma II; the timetable and available places can change.
- Inburgeren.nl - Oefenen (Practice) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official practice for A2 exams and links to B1 and B2 practice.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Examens oefenen (Practising exams) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official practice exams for Programma I and II.
- Naar Nederland - Zelfstudiepakket (Self-study pack) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Free downloads of the official self-study pack.
- Council of Europe - Language level descriptions (External site, opens in a new tab) - A2 covers simple, routine exchanges on familiar everyday topics.
- DUO - Leerroutes (Learning routes) (External site, opens in a new tab) - The education route includes a language transition programme; reduction to A2 is possible only within the B1-route.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Examenrooster Programma I (External site, opens in a new tab) - Examination dates for Programma I; different parts can share a calendar date.
- IND - Nederlander worden door optie (Becoming a Dutch citizen through the option procedure) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Eligibility conditions and application procedure for citizenship through the option procedure.
- Staatsexamens NT2: work and the state exam (External site, opens in a new tab) - Employers may ask for an NT2 diploma; the employer and worker agree on the requirement.
- Nuffic: working in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma (External site, opens in a new tab) - Identify regulated professions and their competent authorities; professional recognition and work or residence permission are separate checks.
- BIG-register (register of healthcare professions): Dutch and English language proficiency (External site, opens in a new tab) - Healthcare language evidence differs by professional level; some roles require B2+ proof rather than an NT2 B2 diploma.