Who Must Integrate in the Netherlands? The Civic Integration Obligation (Inburgeringsplicht)

The integration obligation usually applies if you come from outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for a long-term stay. It usually applies from age 18 until state-pension (AOW) age. Your DUO letter and Mijn Inburgering show the decision for your case because your nationality, residence purpose, age, education history and applicable law all matter.

• The Dutch government's Rijksoverheid site says the duty depends especially on nationality and long-term stay. DUO automatically sends a letter when the duty applies.
• DUO says you normally have 3 years to integrate. Mijn Inburgering shows when your period starts and what you must do.
• Under Wet inburgering 2021, your municipality normally does the broad intake, the Leerbaarheidstoets (LBT, learning-potential test), and the personal integration and participation plan (PIP) before DUO confirms the start date.
• Under the older Wet inburgering 2013, DUO shows the start date and the required A2 language and knowledge exams in Mijn Inburgering.
• Some people do not have to integrate at all. Others are still obligated but may qualify for fewer exams, an exemption, a waiver, or extra time.
• If you are unsure, check Mijn Inburgering, your DUO letter, or ask DUO or your municipality.

This table is a first filter, not a legal decision. Use it to decide what to check next.

For most newcomers, DUO starts the official process. It sends a letter after you have a burgerservicenummer (BSN), a residence permit and registration with the municipality. DUO says the letter can take up to 8 weeks after those three things are arranged.

If you fall under Wet inburgering 2021, the first DUO letter is followed by the municipality process. The municipality invites you for the brede intake (broad intake) and the Leerbaarheidstoets (LBT), then sets the persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie (PIP). Your PIP says which learning route you follow and which exams or modules you must complete. After the PIP is set, DUO sends another letter with the official start date.

If you fall under Wet inburgering 2013, the DUO letter usually states the date when your integration period starts. You then check Mijn Inburgering for the exact exam parts that apply to you.

The law matters because it changes who guides you and which route you follow. People who became inburgeringsplichtig from 1 January 2022 normally fall under Wet inburgering 2021. People who were already obligated before that date may still be under Wet inburgering 2013.

• Wet 2021: the municipality guides you through the B1-route, onderwijsroute (education route), or Z-route. Your PIP and Mijn Inburgering show your exact obligations.
• B1-route: A2 downscaling applies only within this route. After 600 followed NT2 course hours at a qualifying provider, the relevant facts must also show sufficient effort during the lessons. The municipality may then record one or more A2 language components in your PIP.
• Onderwijsroute: mainly for people preparing for secondary vocational education (mbo), higher vocational education (hbo), or university, with Dutch at B1 or B2 plus knowledge parts.
• Z-route (self-reliance route): for people for whom the B1-route or onderwijsroute is too difficult. It focuses on self-reliance, participation, and often A1 Dutch, with a closing interview at the municipality.
• Wet 2013: you usually organise your own course or self-study and complete A2 language exams plus the knowledge exams shown in Mijn Inburgering.

Rijksoverheid lists several common cases where integration is not mandatory: EU nationality, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, being younger than 18, being older than pension age, living in the Netherlands for 8 years or more during compulsory school age, having certain Dutch-language education documents, or coming temporarily for study or work.

DUO also separates full non-obligation from situations where you are obligated but may need fewer exams or no exams. Examples include serious illness or disability, a Dutch diploma or a Dutch-language diploma from Belgium or Suriname, 10 years of residence with at least 5 years of work, a Staatsexamen NT2 (Dutch as a Second Language state exam) certificate or diploma, or bijzondere individuele omstandigheden (special individual circumstances). Those situations usually require evidence.

For the evidence side, use our exemptions and special cases guide before you pay for a course or exam.

Voluntary integration is possible when inburgering is not mandatory but you still want or need Dutch proof, for example for naturalisation or a stronger residence permit. DUO also has a separate early-start process for people who do not yet have the obligation because they are under 18 or temporarily exempt while studying in the Netherlands.

Starting the obligation early has legal consequences. DUO says that if you ask to start early, you fall under Wet inburgering 2021 and get a 3-year period. Family and other migrants can receive a DUO late-completion fine. Asylum status holders do not receive that fine, but their obligation continues.

The normal integration period is 3 years. DUO does not give asylum status holders under Wi2013 or Wi2021 a fine for taking too long, but they must keep integrating. Family and other migrants can receive a DUO late-completion fine: up to €1,000 for a Wi2021 learning route, €340 for late PVT or MAP, and up to €1,250 for a Wi2013 diploma. A municipality fine for not cooperating with the broad intake, PIP support, or route obligations is separate.

Your obligation continues whether or not DUO can fine you. Extra time may be possible for illness, education, family circumstances, homelessness, literacy courses, or school problems. For the full route, see the three-year clock and extra time guide and the fines guide.

• Log in to Mijn Inburgering with DigiD and write down your law, start date, deadline, and required parts.
• If you expected a DUO letter but your BSN, residence permit, and municipality registration were arranged more than 8 weeks ago, contact DUO.
• If you are under Wet 2021, keep every municipality appointment about the broad intake, LBT, and PIP.
• If you might qualify for an exemption, waiver, fewer exams, or extra time, collect evidence before booking exams.
• If your goal is naturalisation or a stronger residence permit, check the IND requirement separately because voluntary integration can still matter.