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Feedback on your speaking & writing
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40 hours of theory
A1•A2•B1•B2 exams
16 000 exercises
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Sarah M.
Basisexamen A1 — Passed
I prepared for the Basisexamen from the UK to join my partner in the Netherlands. The A1 exercises matched the real exam format — especially the speaking part, where you only hear the question once. Studied every evening for 4 months. I wish there were a few more reading practice texts, but the speaking preparation was exactly what I needed. Passed at the embassy on the first try.
Ahmed K.
Inburgering A2 — Passed
I came to the Netherlands as a kennismigrant and had to pass the inburgering exam. My Dutch was basically zero — I only spoke English at work. The timed practice exams were the most helpful: they run exactly like the real thing, so nothing surprised me on exam day. Passed Reading, Listening, and KNM on the first try. Speaking took two attempts — I ran out of time on Part 4 with the three images.
Maria L.
Staatsexamen NT2-II B2 — Passed
I needed B2 to start my master's at Leiden University. The NT2-II is significantly harder than B1 — longer texts, faster audio, and for speaking you need to give a 2-minute presentation on the spot. The writing exercises with AI feedback helped me the most — academic Dutch is very different from how people actually talk. Studied for 5 months while working. Passed everything, though the listening was close.
Chen W.
Inburgering A2 — Passed
I moved to the Netherlands as a partner of a kennismigrant and had 3 years to pass everything. The hardest part was not knowing what the exam actually looks like — nobody shows you. Here I could practice the exact format: reading texts with questions, listening to audio played once, speaking with a countdown. The writing AI feedback helped me learn the email structure they expect. Passed everything after about 8 months.
Priya S.
KNM — Passed
My taalschool barely covered KNM, so I was worried. The practice questions here are very close to the real exam — same style, same topics. I did 40 practice questions every evening for about 3 weeks. Some topics like Dutch politics could use more detailed explanations — I had to look up a few things separately. But the question format practice was exactly what I needed. Got 38 out of 40.
Viktor N.
Staatsexamen NT2-II B2 — Passed
I needed B2 for my job in IT — my employer required it for a promotion. The writing exercises prepared me for formal reports and emails in Dutch. Academic and professional Dutch is a different world from daily conversation. The AI grading showed me exactly where my grammar and structure needed work. Took me about 4 months of evening practice. The speaking exam was the hardest part — it required real preparation.
Ana R.
Staatsexamen NT2-I B1 — Passed
I needed B1 for my Dutch citizenship application. I had passed A2 two years earlier and my Dutch was fine for daily life, but the Staatsexamen is a real step up. The timed reading practice was crucial — you get 100 minutes for everything and I was always running out of time at first. Passed Lezen and Luisteren first try, but needed two attempts for Schrijven. I just made too many spelling mistakes the first time.
David J.
Inburgering B1 — Passed
I moved from the US for my Dutch wife and started with zero Dutch. The listening exercises with different speaking speeds really helped — on the real exam you only hear the audio once and some speakers talk fast. After 8 months of daily practice I passed everything. Would have liked more variety in the accents, but overall the format practice made the real exam feel familiar.
Elena T.
Basisexamen A1 — Passed
I prepared for the Basisexamen from Russia to join my family in Amsterdam. Studying Dutch when nobody around you speaks it is hard. The exercises gave me structure — I knew what to study each day instead of memorizing random words from a book. The KNS questions about Dutch society were completely new to me and the practice helped a lot. Took 5 months of evening study after work. Not easy, but I passed.
Omar H.
Staatsexamen NT2-I B1 — Passed
I have been in the Netherlands for 6 years and needed B1 for my verblijfsvergunning voor onbepaalde tijd. My spoken Dutch is fine from daily life, but the exam format is very specific. Without timed practice I would have talked too long on some questions and too short on others. The theory sections explaining what examiners look for were the most useful part.
Fatima B.
Inburgering A2 — Passed
The ONA portfolio was the part I was most confused about. Nobody explains what a good portfolio looks like. The step-by-step guidance for all 8 cards saved me — I had example answers to work from and knew what the interviewer would ask. I also used the platform for my A2 exam preparation. The speaking practice with the timer taught me to structure my answers within 1 minute.
Robert K.
Staatsexamen NT2-I B1 — Passed
Needed B1 for my MBO. I had been living in the Netherlands for 3 years and could have conversations, but the exam Dutch is different from street Dutch. The reading comprehension texts were challenging but fair — exactly the right difficulty for what you see on test day. Passed after about 3 months of focused practice alongside my regular coursework.
Yasmin A.
Inburgering A2 — Passed
I came as a kennismigrant and needed to pass A2 for my citizenship. I used this alongside my tutor. The tutor taught me grammar, but the exam practice here taught me how the test actually works — the timing, the question types, the format of each section. That combination is what got me through. Passed everything in one go after about 6 months.
João P.
Staatsexamen NT2-II B2 — Passed
I moved from Brazil and needed B2 for my HBO admission. The speaking part of the NT2-II is no joke. The practice prompts here helped me build a structure I could use for any topic. The reading exercises are also at the right level — long academic texts, just like the real exam. Took me 6 months of serious study.
Ling Z.
Staatsexamen NT2-I B1 — Passed
I needed B1 because I had to do it in 3 years. The flashcards helped me build vocabulary faster than my textbook — I practiced on the train every day. The progress tracking kept me motivated when it felt like I was not improving. Passed Lezen, Luisteren, and Spreken first try. Schrijven took a second attempt, but the AI writing feedback showed me exactly what to fix.
Sarah M.
Basisexamen A1 — Passed
I prepared for the Basisexamen from the UK to join my partner in the Netherlands. The A1 exercises matched the real exam format — especially the speaking part, where you only hear the question once. Studied every evening for 4 months. I wish there were a few more reading practice texts, but the speaking preparation was exactly what I needed. Passed at the embassy on the first try.
Ahmed K.
Inburgering A2 — Passed
I came to the Netherlands as a kennismigrant and had to pass the inburgering exam. My Dutch was basically zero — I only spoke English at work. The timed practice exams were the most helpful: they run exactly like the real thing, so nothing surprised me on exam day. Passed Reading, Listening, and KNM on the first try. Speaking took two attempts — I ran out of time on Part 4 with the three images.
Maria L.
Staatsexamen NT2-II B2 — Passed
I needed B2 to start my master's at Leiden University. The NT2-II is significantly harder than B1 — longer texts, faster audio, and for speaking you need to give a 2-minute presentation on the spot. The writing exercises with AI feedback helped me the most — academic Dutch is very different from how people actually talk. Studied for 5 months while working. Passed everything, though the listening was close.
Chen W.
Inburgering A2 — Passed
I moved to the Netherlands as a partner of a kennismigrant and had 3 years to pass everything. The hardest part was not knowing what the exam actually looks like — nobody shows you. Here I could practice the exact format: reading texts with questions, listening to audio played once, speaking with a countdown. The writing AI feedback helped me learn the email structure they expect. Passed everything after about 8 months.
Priya S.
KNM — Passed
My taalschool barely covered KNM, so I was worried. The practice questions here are very close to the real exam — same style, same topics. I did 40 practice questions every evening for about 3 weeks. Some topics like Dutch politics could use more detailed explanations — I had to look up a few things separately. But the question format practice was exactly what I needed. Got 38 out of 40.
Viktor N.
Staatsexamen NT2-II B2 — Passed
I needed B2 for my job in IT — my employer required it for a promotion. The writing exercises prepared me for formal reports and emails in Dutch. Academic and professional Dutch is a different world from daily conversation. The AI grading showed me exactly where my grammar and structure needed work. Took me about 4 months of evening practice. The speaking exam was the hardest part — it required real preparation.
Ana R.
Staatsexamen NT2-I B1 — Passed
I needed B1 for my Dutch citizenship application. I had passed A2 two years earlier and my Dutch was fine for daily life, but the Staatsexamen is a real step up. The timed reading practice was crucial — you get 100 minutes for everything and I was always running out of time at first. Passed Lezen and Luisteren first try, but needed two attempts for Schrijven. I just made too many spelling mistakes the first time.
David J.
Inburgering B1 — Passed
I moved from the US for my Dutch wife and started with zero Dutch. The listening exercises with different speaking speeds really helped — on the real exam you only hear the audio once and some speakers talk fast. After 8 months of daily practice I passed everything. Would have liked more variety in the accents, but overall the format practice made the real exam feel familiar.
Elena T.
Basisexamen A1 — Passed
I prepared for the Basisexamen from Russia to join my family in Amsterdam. Studying Dutch when nobody around you speaks it is hard. The exercises gave me structure — I knew what to study each day instead of memorizing random words from a book. The KNS questions about Dutch society were completely new to me and the practice helped a lot. Took 5 months of evening study after work. Not easy, but I passed.
Omar H.
Staatsexamen NT2-I B1 — Passed
I have been in the Netherlands for 6 years and needed B1 for my verblijfsvergunning voor onbepaalde tijd. My spoken Dutch is fine from daily life, but the exam format is very specific. Without timed practice I would have talked too long on some questions and too short on others. The theory sections explaining what examiners look for were the most useful part.
Fatima B.
Inburgering A2 — Passed
The ONA portfolio was the part I was most confused about. Nobody explains what a good portfolio looks like. The step-by-step guidance for all 8 cards saved me — I had example answers to work from and knew what the interviewer would ask. I also used the platform for my A2 exam preparation. The speaking practice with the timer taught me to structure my answers within 1 minute.
Robert K.
Staatsexamen NT2-I B1 — Passed
Needed B1 for my MBO. I had been living in the Netherlands for 3 years and could have conversations, but the exam Dutch is different from street Dutch. The reading comprehension texts were challenging but fair — exactly the right difficulty for what you see on test day. Passed after about 3 months of focused practice alongside my regular coursework.
Yasmin A.
Inburgering A2 — Passed
I came as a kennismigrant and needed to pass A2 for my citizenship. I used this alongside my tutor. The tutor taught me grammar, but the exam practice here taught me how the test actually works — the timing, the question types, the format of each section. That combination is what got me through. Passed everything in one go after about 6 months.
João P.
Staatsexamen NT2-II B2 — Passed
I moved from Brazil and needed B2 for my HBO admission. The speaking part of the NT2-II is no joke. The practice prompts here helped me build a structure I could use for any topic. The reading exercises are also at the right level — long academic texts, just like the real exam. Took me 6 months of serious study.
Ling Z.
Staatsexamen NT2-I B1 — Passed
I needed B1 because I had to do it in 3 years. The flashcards helped me build vocabulary faster than my textbook — I practiced on the train every day. The progress tracking kept me motivated when it felt like I was not improving. Passed Lezen, Luisteren, and Spreken first try. Schrijven took a second attempt, but the AI writing feedback showed me exactly what to fix.
Find answers to common questions about our subscription plans and features
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.
On a monthly plan, cancel before your next payment date, and we charge you nothing more. On a semi-annual or annual plan, the commitment period lasts 6 or 12 months. If you cancel during it, we keep taking your monthly payments until it ends. You keep access until that day, so you can keep improving your Dutch or prepare for an exam at a higher level. If the commitment period has already ended, cancelling works as on a monthly plan.
To end a semi-annual or annual plan sooner, you can ask us for an Early Termination Settlement. If you subscribed in our iOS app, turn off automatic renewal in your Apple account settings.
We offer three plans, all with full access to every skill and level — the only difference is how you commit. Monthly is fully flexible and can be cancelled anytime. Semi-annual (6 months) and Annual (12 months) are billed monthly at a lower rate in exchange for a longer commitment. You can request cancellation at any time; on the semi-annual and annual plans it takes effect once the full term ends. After that, it continues monthly at the same price and can be cancelled anytime.
You can get a full refund within 14 days of subscribing on our website, on a monthly, semi-annual or annual plan. You do not need to give a reason. Email info@inburgering.org to ask for it. We send the refund within 14 days of your email, to the payment method you paid with. If you subscribed in our iOS app, Apple handles the refund. Ask Apple for it.
The 14 days start when you first subscribe. A renewal or a later monthly payment does not start them again.
After the 14 days, you can cancel instead. A monthly plan then stops at the end of the month you have paid. On a semi-annual or annual plan, we keep taking your monthly payments until the commitment period of 6 or 12 months ends. You keep access until that day. After that period, the plan stops at the end of the month you have paid.
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.
On a monthly plan, we take no further payments. You keep access until the end of the month you have paid.
On a semi-annual or annual plan, the commitment period is 6 or 12 months. If you cancel during that period, we keep taking your monthly payments until it ends. You keep access until that day. If you cancel after the period, we take no further payments. You keep access until the end of the month you have paid.
Within 14 days of subscribing, you can ask for a full refund instead. To end the commitment period early, you can ask us for an Early Termination Settlement.
While you still have access, you can undo the cancellation with "Renew subscription" on your Account page.
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.
Do you have more questions? Ask info@inburgering.org