What is the Dutch inburgering exam?

The inburgering exam (inburgeringsexamen) is the official Dutch integration exam that most non-EU newcomers must pass to settle in the Netherlands. It is organised by DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs), the Dutch government agency for education, and it is a legal requirement under the Civic Integration Act (Wet inburgering).

If you have received a letter from DUO telling you to integrate, this guide explains exactly what the exam is, who has to take it, what it tests, and how to start preparing today.

Who has to take the inburgering exam?

In general, you must integrate if you come from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland and you hold a residence permit for a non-temporary purpose — for example a partner, family, or asylum residence permit. DUO sends you a letter that confirms your obligation and your personal deadline.

Some people are exempt or follow a different track, such as highly skilled migrants on certain permits, or people who already hold a qualifying Dutch diploma. DUO's letter is always the source of truth for your personal situation and deadline.

The A2 and B1 routes

Since the 2022 integration law, most newcomers integrate at level B1 of the Common European Framework (CEFR), with an A2 route still applying to people who fall under older rules or who genuinely cannot reach B1. A2 is a basic, everyday level of Dutch; B1 is the intermediate level needed for work and study.

Both routes test the same skills — only the difficulty of the language differs. Knowing which route applies to you (again, check your DUO letter) tells you exactly which level to practise at.

What does DUO test? The exam parts

The civic integration exam is made up of several separate parts. The language parts assess the four core skills, and a separate part tests your knowledge of Dutch society:

• Reading (Lezen) — understanding written Dutch in everyday situations.
• Listening (Luisteren) — understanding spoken Dutch, played once.
• Writing (Schrijven) — writing short, functional Dutch texts.
• Speaking (Spreken) — recording spoken answers for assessment.
• KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij) — knowledge of Dutch society.

Costs and deadlines

Each exam part has a separate fee, and you pay again if you need to resit a part. Most people have three years to complete all parts, although the exact deadline and any extensions depend on your residence situation and are set out by DUO. Missing the deadline can lead to a fine and can affect a future permanent residence or naturalisation application, so it is worth starting early.

Because each part is taken and scored separately, you can focus on one skill at a time and book exams as you become ready, rather than facing everything at once.

How to prepare online

The most effective preparation mirrors the real DUO test: short, realistic tasks for each part, with feedback that shows you what to fix. DutchExam lets you practise every part — reading, listening, writing, speaking and KNM — at both A2 and B1, with AI feedback on your writing and speaking so you learn from each attempt.

Start with the part you find hardest, build a short daily habit, and track your progress until each skill is reliably above the pass mark.

Keep preparing

• Inburgering exam: full A2 & B1 guide
• KNM exam: practice questions
• Reading (Lezen) exam guide

Frequently asked questions