The Dutch Integration Exam

The Dutch integration exam — in Dutch, the inburgeringsexamen — is the official civic integration exam for people who move to the Netherlands from outside the EU. Passing it shows the Dutch government that you can take part in everyday life here: that you speak enough Dutch and understand how the country works.

The exam is administered by DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs). It is made up of five parts: four language tests — reading, listening, writing, and speaking — and one knowledge test, KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, Knowledge of Dutch Society). You book and sit each part separately.

Most non-EU/EEA citizens who move to the Netherlands on a residence permit have an integration obligation and must pass the exam, usually within three years. You most likely need to sit it if you came for one of these reasons:

• Family reunification — you joined a spouse or partner in the Netherlands. See our guide to the integration exam for spouses and partners.
• Permanent residence — passing the exam is a condition for a permanent residence permit. Read more.
• Dutch citizenship (naturalisation) — you must pass to become Dutch. Read more.

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are exempt, as are people under 16 or over the state pension age, and some who already hold a Dutch diploma. If you are unsure, always confirm your personal obligation with DUO or your gemeente.

The integration exam comes at two Dutch language levels. A2 is the basic level — enough Dutch for daily life — and has long been the standard. B1 is a step higher and is taken as the Staatsexamen NT2.

Under the Wet inburgering 2021 (the integration law in force since 2022), the B1 route is now the default for many newcomers, and B1 is also required for permanent residence and citizenship. Your gemeente decides your learning route after an intake. Not sure which one applies to you? Our guide to A2 vs B1 guide breaks it down, or take the free Dutch level test to see where you stand.

You book each part of the integration exam separately through DUO, using your DigiD, on the inburgeren.nl website. As a rough guide the language parts cost around €40–€50 each and KNM around €50, so sitting every part once totals roughly €250. Retakes cost the same per part.

Many newcomers can borrow up to €10,000 from DUO to cover exam and course costs, and the loan can be waived if you pass on time. For retake fees and what happens if you miss the deadline, see what happens if you fail the exam.

The legal deadline is three years, but how long preparation actually takes depends on your starting level and whether you sit A2 or B1. With focused daily practice, many people are ready for A2 in a few weeks by drilling only their weak spots; B1 takes longer. Our realistic timelines guide and the 8-week study plan show what a sensible schedule looks like.

A focused way to prepare is to practise one skill at a time and find your gaps early. Here is where to start, all free:

• Take the free interactive practice exams — a level test, KNM, reading, and grammar — with no account needed.
• Study all 8 topics in the free KNM study guide.
• Practise writing and speaking with instant AI feedback in the app, including per-word pronunciation practice that shows a word to work on. App feedback is not an official exam result.