Frequently Asked Questions

That depends on the integration law that applies to you and on your exam. If your integration obligation started on or after 1 January 2022, the 2021 law applies. If it started earlier, the 2013 law applies.

2021 law, asylum status holders and family members who joined them: Your municipality chooses your course and pays for it. Your PIP (personal integration and participation plan) records which course you take. If you do not take part, or study less than your PIP sets, the municipality fines you. The first fine is €50 or less, depending on how much you are to blame. If it happens again within 12 months, the fine doubles each time, up to €800.
2021 law, other family migrants and everyone else: Your municipality sets your route. You choose a course yourself and pay for it. You can borrow from DUO (the government agency that runs the exams) for the course and the exams. For a loan, the course must be at an approved school, such as one with the Blik op Werk quality mark.
2013 law: You can study for the exams on your own or follow a course at a school.
Staatsexamen NT2 (state exam in Dutch as a second language), for study or work: You can take it without a course.
Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland (the A1 exam abroad): You can prepare on your own with DUO's self-study pack.

Two rules of the 2021 law count only lessons at an approved school, not hours you study on your own. On the Z-route (zelfredzaamheidsroute, self-reliance route), you must follow 800 hours of lessons at an approved school. On the B1 route, if B1 is still too hard, your municipality can let you take some or all of the language exams at A2. For that, you need at least 600 hours of Dutch lessons at an approved school, such as one with the Blik op Werk quality mark, and enough effort in those lessons.

On our platform you can practise Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing and the knowledge-of-society exams: KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij) in the Netherlands and KNS (Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving) in the exam abroad. A taalschool adds a teacher and classmates to speak with.

Our practice exams use the same parts and question types as the real exams. The real exams also play short videos; our prompts use audio and images.

Reading (Lezen): Multiple-choice questions on Dutch texts, as in the real A1, A2, B1 and B2 exams. Practice exams keep the real time limits: 35 minutes at A1, 65 at A2, 110 at B1 and 100 at B2.
Listening (Luisteren): Audio fragments with multiple-choice questions. Practice exams keep the real time limits: 45 minutes at A2 and 90 minutes at B1 and B2.
Speaking (Spreken): The same parts as the real exam at each level. At A2, that is four audio questions, then tasks with 1, 2 and 3 images, with up to 1 minute per answer. Our AI scores each answer on the official criteria for its level.
Writing (Schrijven): From short messages to formal emails. Our AI scores your text on the official assessment criteria. For an A2 email, these are adequacy, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and coherence. Adequacy asks whether the text does the task and whether a reader can understand it.
KNM: 40 questions in 45 minutes, covering Dutch society, politics, healthcare, and daily life.
KNS: 30 questions in 30 minutes, for the A1 exam abroad.

After each exercise you see your score and feedback on what to improve.

Yes. The Wet inburgering 2021 (the 2021 civic integration law) made B1 the standard language level. The 2013 law still applies if your integration obligation started before 1 January 2022, and its minimum level is A2. So you can practise Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing at A2 and at B1, plus KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society). For the 2013 law, you can also practise the ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt, orientation on the Dutch labour market) portfolio. The platform also covers A1 for the exam abroad and B2 for the Staatsexamen NT2 (state exam in Dutch as a second language).

The 2021 law also added the MAP (labour-market and participation module). Your municipality runs the MAP, so the platform has no practice for it.

We check our practice exams against the exam pages of DUO (the government agency that runs the exams), staatsexamensnt2.nl and the official practice exams. When we change an exercise, you see the new version the next time you open it.

Yes. The platform works in any browser on your phone, tablet, or computer — no app download needed. The exercises, flashcards, and theory sections are all optimised for smaller screens so you can practise on the train, during a break, or whenever you have a few minutes.

Yes. The exercises cover real-life situations you'll encounter in the Netherlands: reading letters from the gemeente (municipality), listening to announcements at the station, writing emails to your child's school, or ordering at a bakery.

The A1 courses teach everyday Dutch from zero. A1 is also the level of the Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland (the A1 exam abroad), which you can practise here. At B1 and B2, the topics are work, study and daily life, as in the real exams. The flashcard decks are also sorted by topic, such as healthcare, shopping and work.

Yes. Scroll to the free section on our home page to try practice exercises for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing, and KNM without signing up or entering payment details. This way you can see the exercise format and difficulty before deciding.

That depends on why you need Dutch: for an MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, provisional residence permit), for inburgering (civic integration), or for study and work. If you must integrate, you can see your exams in Mijn Inburgering, the online portal of DUO (the government agency that runs the exams).

Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland (the exam abroad): Dutch at A1 level and knowledge of Dutch society. If you need an MVV to live with your partner or to work as a religious minister, you must pass it before you apply, unless you are exempt.
Inburgering, obligation from 1 January 2022 (2021 law): Most people follow the B1 route: about 7 in 10 in June 2025, by the government's figures. The B1 route has the 4 language exams of the Staatsexamen NT2 (state exam in Dutch as a second language) at B1 level and the KNM exam (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society). You must also complete the PVT (participation statement process) and the MAP (labour-market and participation module) at your municipality.
Inburgering, obligation before 1 January 2022 (2013 law): The language exams at A2 level or higher, plus KNM. If your obligation started on or after 1 January 2015, you must also take ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt, orientation on the Dutch labour market). If it started on or after 1 October 2017, you must also sign the participatieverklaring (participation statement).
Staatsexamen NT2, for study or work: Programma I (B1) is for work or study at mbo (secondary vocational education) level 3 or 4. Programma II (B2) is for study or work at hbo (higher professional education) or university level. Schools and universities set their own entry rules and often ask for this diploma. An employer may also ask for it.

Under the 2021 law, some people follow another route. The onderwijsroute (education route) is mainly for young people who want to study at mbo, hbo or university. It has the language exams at B1 or B2, plus KNM and the PVT. On the Z-route (zelfredzaamheidsroute, self-reliance route), you learn Dutch to A1 level and must complete the PVT and the MAP. The A2 language exams are optional.

On the B1 route, if B1 is still too hard, your municipality can let you take some or all of the language exams at A2. For that, you need at least 600 hours of Dutch lessons at an approved school, such as one with the Blik op Werk quality mark, and enough effort in those lessons.

On our platform you can practise every level from A1 to B2.

Start with our A1 materials. They introduce basic words, simple sentences and everyday situations step by step. When you can pass our A1 practice exams, move up one level at a time until you reach the level your exam needs. The answer to 'Which exam and level do I need?' lists the levels. Practise every day. The answer to 'How many hours per week should I study?' gives the government's example lesson hours.

For the B1 route of the 2021 law, the government gives two examples of lesson hours: 20 a week for an intensive course, or 10 a week over a longer period if you also work. They come from its explanation of the Wet inburgering 2021 (the 2021 civic integration law). The law itself sets no minimum or maximum number of lesson hours, so each plan can fit the learner. The official sites give no weekly figure for the 2013 law, the Staatsexamen NT2 (state exam in Dutch as a second language) or the exam abroad.

If you are an asylum status holder, or joined one as a family member, your municipality sets how intensively you study. It records this in your PIP (personal integration and participation plan).

On the B1 route, if B1 is still too hard, your municipality can let you take some or all of the language exams at A2. For that, you need at least 600 hours of Dutch lessons at an approved school, such as one with the Blik op Werk quality mark, and enough effort in those lessons.

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If you subscribed on our website, open your Account page and select "Change plan". Then select "Cancel" next to your subscription and confirm. For a gift subscription, select "Cancel subscription" on your Account page instead. If you subscribed in our iOS app, turn off automatic renewal in your Apple account settings.

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During the commitment period, the contract remains active and monthly billing continues until the commitment ends. As a goodwill option, we can offer a one-time "Early Termination Settlement" — calculated as the lesser of (a) the discount you have already received on months used, or (b) the remaining months at your current rate. The settlement is never more than what you would otherwise owe. Email info@inburgering.org to request a quote. Not available for Apple In-App Purchase subscriptions or subscriptions with overdue payments.

Email info@inburgering.org with "Complaint" in the subject line. Within 2 working days, we confirm that we received your complaint. We answer within 14 days of receiving it. If we need more time, we tell you within those 14 days. Our complaints procedure explains each step, and what you can do if you disagree with our answer.

That depends on the date your inburgeringsplicht (integration obligation) started. If you have one, DUO (the government agency that runs the exams) sends you a letter.

Before 1 January 2022: The Wet inburgering 2013 (the 2013 civic integration law) applies. You must pass the language exams at A2 level or higher and KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society). If your obligation started on or after 1 January 2015, you must also take ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt, orientation on the Dutch labour market). If it started on or after 1 October 2017, you must also sign the participatieverklaring (participation statement).
On or after 1 January 2022: The Wet inburgering 2021 (the 2021 civic integration law) applies. After DUO's letter, your municipality invites you for an intake. It then writes your PIP (personal integration and participation plan) with you. The PIP places you on 1 of 3 routes: the B1 route, the onderwijsroute (education route) or the Z-route (zelfredzaamheidsroute, self-reliance route).

Citizens of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland do not have to integrate. Other newcomers must integrate if they come to live in the Netherlands for a non-temporary purpose, for example with asylum status or to join a partner. You are also exempt in other cases, for example if you are under 18 and still required to go to school, if you are over the pension age, or if you come for a temporary stay to study or work.

The B1 route has 5 exams and 2 parts at your municipality. Your PIP (personal integration and participation plan) and Mijn Inburgering (DUO's online portal) show which of these you must do. The B1 route belongs to the 2021 law.

The 5 exams are the 4 language exams of the Staatsexamen NT2 (state exam in Dutch as a second language) at B1 level, called Programma I, and the KNM exam (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society):
Reading (Lezen): 6 texts with 35 or 36 multiple-choice questions, 110 minutes.
Listening (Luisteren): About 40 multiple-choice questions on audio fragments and 1 to 3 short videos, 90 minutes.
Speaking (Spreken): 16 tasks in 2 parts: 8 short answers of 20 seconds each and 8 longer answers of 30 seconds each, about 25-30 minutes.
Writing (Schrijven): 12 tasks in 100 minutes: 8 single sentences, 2 short messages or forms, and 2 short texts such as a note.
KNM: 40 questions about Dutch society in 45 minutes.

The certificate for a passed language exam never expires.

Your municipality runs the other 2 parts:
MAP (labour-market and participation module): Assignments about Dutch jobs and applying for work, plus practical tasks such as volunteering, an internship or paid work. The module ends with a final conversation at the municipality.
PVT (participation statement process): You learn what is important in the Netherlands and sign the participation statement (participatieverklaring).

On the B1 route, the MAP takes the place of ONA (Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market). ONA is a DUO exam for people who integrate voluntarily or whose integration duty under the 2013 law started on or after 1 January 2015.

A passed Staatsexamen NT2 exam (state exam in Dutch as a second language, B1 or B2) never expires. You can request a certificate for it from DUO (the government agency that runs the exams). Once you pass all 4 exams, DUO posts you the diploma. Both stay valid indefinitely.

For the A2 language exams, KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society) and ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt, orientation on the Dutch labour market), DUO's exam pages give no end date for a passed result.

A passed part of the Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland (the A1 exam abroad) stays valid indefinitely. But once you pass all 3 parts, you or the person you will live with in the Netherlands must apply for your MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, provisional residence permit) within 1 year. If nobody applies within that year, you must take the Basisexamen again.

Yes. After you get your MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, provisional residence permit) and move to the Netherlands, you must continue integrating there. DUO (the government agency that runs the exams) says so on its site naarnederland.nl. Passing the Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland (the A1 exam abroad) does not exempt you from any exam in the Netherlands.

After you register with your municipality, DUO sends you a letter that says you must integrate. Under the 2021 law, your municipality then writes your PIP (personal integration and participation plan) with you. You have 3 years from the date of your PIP to finish. In June 2025, more than 9 in 10 family migrants followed the B1 route, by the government's figures. The B1 route has 4 language exams at B1 level and KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society). You must also complete the PVT (participation statement process) and the MAP (labour-market and participation module) at your municipality.

On the B1 route, if B1 is still too hard, your municipality can let you take some or all of the language exams at A2. For that, you need at least 600 hours of Dutch lessons at an approved school, such as one with the Blik op Werk quality mark, and enough effort in those lessons.

For Dutch citizenship, the IND (the immigration service) usually asks for an inburgeringsdiploma (civic integration diploma) at A2 level or higher. For a permanent residence permit, it usually asks for an inburgeringsdiploma too. With a certificate for the Z-route (zelfredzaamheidsroute, self-reliance route), you can ask the IND for an exemption.

Staatsexamen NT2 (state exam in Dutch as a second language), B1 or B2: Yes. The website staatsexamensnt2.nl says the diploma and certificates stay valid with no time limit.
Inburgeringsdiploma (civic integration diploma): An inburgeringsdiploma under the 2013 law is always at A2 level. Under the 2021 law, it shows your level: A2, B1 or B2. The pages of DUO (the government agency that runs the exams) and the integration laws give no end date. The IND (the immigration service) accepts it for Dutch citizenship at A2 level or higher, and sets no date limit.

DUO (the government agency that runs the exams) sends your result by letter within 8 weeks for the A2 language exams and the knowledge exams: KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society) and ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt, orientation on the Dutch labour market). You can also see it in Mijn Inburgering (DUO's online portal). Once you have passed every exam you must take, you can download your inburgeringsdiploma (civic integration diploma) there, under 'Diploma'. Use it only in digital form: a printout is not valid. You can request 1 free paper diploma in the same place; DUO posts it within 8 weeks.

For the B1 and B2 language exams (Staatsexamen NT2, the state exam in Dutch as a second language), you can see your result in Mijn DUO (your personal page on duo.nl) after about 5 weeks. The exam schedule on staatsexamensnt2.nl gives the exact day for your exam. DUO also sends the result by email and by post. When you have passed all 4 exams, DUO sends your diploma automatically, by registered post, within 4 weeks.

For the Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland (the A1 exam abroad), DUO sends your result by email or letter within 8 weeks, often sooner. The email includes a PDF of your result that you can print and add to your MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, provisional residence permit) application.