The Dutch integration exam (inburgeringsexamen): which law you fall under decides everything

After DUO's letter, the municipality holds a broad intake, an interview plus a learnability test, and writes a personal integration and participation plan (PIP). The PIP puts you on one of three tracks and lists your exams.

B1 track: language exams at B1 within 3 years. These are the Dutch as a second language state exams (Nt2), explained in our Nt2 state exam guide, plus knowledge exams. DUO adds that if you have followed at least 600 hours of lessons and still cannot pass at B1, you can talk to the municipality about scaling down to A2. Education track (O track): for young people heading to MBO, HBO or university, also B1, plus the participation statement process (PVT) and Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM). Self-reliance track (Z track): for people for whom the B1 and education tracks are too challenging. You learn Dutch to A1; A2 language exams are offered but not compulsory; the PVT and the MAP are compulsory, and the track ends with an interview at the municipality and a certificate.

The Labour Market and Participation module (MAP) is done with the municipality, free. The participation statement process (PVT) is also free under the 2021 act.

Everyone under the 2013 act passes the language exams at A2 or higher. The knowledge part grew over time, so DUO lists it by the date from which you were required to integrate:

€50 per exam, the same for every skill. Under the 2021 act that is reading, listening, writing, speaking and KNM: €250. Under the 2013 act, Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market (ONA) adds €40, for €290. Course prices are set by each school; DUO only says to ask the school.

Asylum status holders under the 2021 act have their course paid by the municipality, and the first 2 attempts at each exam are free, but not if they sit an exam at a lower level than the PIP sets; a higher level is allowed. Extra attempts are paid, and cannot be borrowed for.

Everyone else can usually borrow from DUO, for an A2, B1 or B2 course, a literacy course, or the exam, but only at a school listed on zoekinburgerschool.nl. DUO pays the school; nothing reaches your account. A loan accrues interest while you owe it: DUO lists 2.29% for 2026 and 3.28% for 2027, after 0% from 2018 to 2022. Asylum status holders never repay; others may have part or all of the loan cancelled.

Knowledge exams and A2 language exams come back by letter, normally within 8 weeks, and appear in Mijn Inburgering. B1 and B2 exams are Nt2 state exams, with their own results process.

On 31 July 2026 DUO announced that checking Speaking A2 and Writing A2 now takes up to 16 weeks, that candidates who sat on the same day may get results at different times, and that if you are near the end of your integration period while waiting, DUO extends it by 6 months automatically and writes to you.

Under the 2021 act, DUO writes 2 months before your integration period ends, and again after it ends with a pre-announcement (vooraankondiging termijnoverschrijding) stating a possible fine. The fine for not completing your learning track never exceeds €1,000, and DUO weighs your track, the course hours you followed at a listed school, how many attempts you made and how many exams you passed. Missing the PVT or the MAP costs €340 each. A fine does not end the obligation: you still have to integrate, with extra time.

Asylum status holders are never fined. DUO also states that the Raad van State, the highest administrative court, decided that DUO cannot fine status holders under the 2013 or 2021 act for taking too long, nor make them repay an integration loan.

Our reading: the fine is calculated from your course hours and attempts, so a candidate who is behind should keep attending a listed school and keep sitting exams. Those are the inputs DUO says it counts.

To naturalise you must first pass the integration exam at A2, or the Nt2 state exam at B1 or B2. From abroad, at a Dutch embassy or consulate, that means reading, writing, speaking, listening and KNM; living abroad but sitting the exams in the Netherlands adds ONA. The diploma is digital, in Mijn diploma's, and the first paper copy is free.

A dispensation is not always enough. DUO states that a dispensation granted under the 2021 act for exceptional individual circumstances (BIO) does not count for naturalisation. How the Netherlands compares with other countries is on our page of citizenship language requirements.