Which Dutch Exam Do You Need? A1, A2, B1 or B2 — Find Your Path

The Dutch integration system has four language levels and four different exams. Which one applies to you depends on where you are, when you arrived, and what you want to achieve. This guide walks you through each path and includes a quick tool to find your personal answer.

The Four Levels at a Glance

The Netherlands uses the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) to measure language ability. Each level corresponds to a specific exam and a specific life situation. Here is a practical summary of what each level means in the Dutch integration context.

A1 — Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland

This is the very first step in the process, and you take it before you move to the Netherlands. The Basisexamen inburgering buitenland (basic civic integration exam abroad) is required for anyone who needs an MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf), the provisional residence permit that allows you to enter the country.

Two groups take this exam. The first and largest group is people joining a partner or family member in the Netherlands through family reunification (gezinshereniging). The second group is spiritual leaders (geestelijk bedienaren) — religious ministers such as imams, priests, or pastors who are coming to serve a congregation in the Netherlands.

The exam has three components: reading, speaking, and KNS (Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving — Knowledge of Dutch Society). There is no writing or listening test. You take it at a Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country, and your result is valid for one year.

Citizens of EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, and several other nations (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea) are exempt from the MVV requirement and therefore do not need to take the Basisexamen. You can read more in our Basisexamen preparation guide.

A2 — Inburgeringsexamen (Wet Inburgering 2013)

If your integration obligation (inburgeringsplicht) started before 1 January 2022, you fall under the old 2013 Act and your exams are at the A2 level. This is the most common path for people who have been in the Netherlands for several years and are still completing their integration.

The A2 inburgeringsexamen is also how most people fulfill the language requirement for Dutch citizenship (naturalisatie) or a permanent residence permit (verblijfsvergunning voor onbepaalde tijd). If you are applying for either of these voluntarily, the A2 exam meets the legal requirement.

The exam has six components: reading (lezen), listening (luisteren), writing (schrijven), speaking (spreken), KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij — knowledge of Dutch society), and ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt — orientation on the Dutch labour market). Each language part costs approximately €50.

At the A2 level you can handle simple, direct communication about everyday topics: shopping, asking for directions, describing your background. It is enough to manage daily life independently but not yet enough to follow a class or participate fluently in workplace discussions. Our complete inburgeringsexamen guide covers every component in detail.

B1 — Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I (Wet Inburgering 2021)

If your integration obligation started on or after 1 January 2022, you fall under the 2021 Act and your target level is B1. This was one of the biggest changes in the new law: raising the standard from A2 to B1 to better prepare newcomers for work and social participation.

Under the 2021 Act your municipality assigns you to one of three learning routes. The B1-route is the standard path for most newcomers. The onderwijsroute (education route) is for people aiming to enter Dutch education. And the Z-route (zelfredzaamheidsroute) is for those for whom B1 is not realistically achievable — it focuses on daily self-reliance instead. Read more in our B1-route guide.

B1 is also the level of the Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I, which is the standard proof of Dutch proficiency for admission to MBO level 3 and 4 programmes. So even if you are not inburgeringsplichtig, you may need B1 for educational reasons.

At B1 you can understand the main points of clear texts about familiar topics, handle most travel situations, and write connected texts about your experiences and opinions. It is the difference between just surviving in Dutch and genuinely participating.

B2 — Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II

The B2 level is not part of the civic integration requirement — it goes beyond what the government asks for inburgering. However, it is essential if you plan to study at an HBO (hogeschool) or university (WO) in Dutch. The Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II is the standard proof of language ability for admission to Dutch-language higher education.

B2 is also increasingly expected in professional settings. Healthcare workers registering in the BIG-register, for instance, generally need B2. It is the level at which you can follow lectures, write essays with clear arguments, and participate fully in professional discussions.

The exam tests the same four skills as Programma I — reading, listening, writing, and speaking — but at a noticeably higher level. Each part is taken on a separate date, and the diploma has no expiration date. Be prepared for a significant jump from B1: the step from B1 to B2 often takes longer than going from A2 to B1.

Find Your Exam

Not sure which exam applies to you? Answer a few short questions and get a personalized recommendation.

Key Points to Remember

How to Prepare

Once you know which level you need, the next step is to start practising. Our courses cover reading, listening, writing, and speaking at every level from A1 to B2, with practice exercises that mirror the real exam format. For a broader study strategy, check our 7 proven preparation tips.

If you are taking the Basisexamen abroad, the official preparation material is available at naarnederland.nl. For the Staatsexamen NT2, you can find official information and practice exams on staatsexamensnt2.nl.

Official Sources