A2 or B1: which exams do you need?

Do I have to integrate (inburgeringsplicht)?

You do not have to integrate if you have the nationality of an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. You are also not obliged if you are under 18 or above state pension age, lived in the Netherlands for 8 years or more while of school age, have certain Dutch diplomas, or came temporarily for study or work (for example as an expat). In other cases you must integrate, and DUO sends you a letter. Check your status in Mijn Inburgering.

Do I fall under the Wet inburgering 2013 or 2021?

If you had to integrate before 1 January 2022, the 2013 Act applies: you take the exams at A2 level and arrange your course yourself. If you have to integrate from 1 January 2022, the 2021 Act applies: your municipality makes a personal plan (PIP) with you that sets your track (B1 track, education track or self-reliance Z track) and your exams. Mijn Inburgering shows which act applies to you.

Which language level do I need for naturalisation?

For naturalisation you must pass the integration exam at A2 level, or the Dutch as a Second Language state exam (NT2) at B1 or B2. This is separate from any integration obligation you have: your PIP or Mijn Inburgering shows the exams and level for that obligation. You can apply for naturalisation before you finish a B1 integration obligation, as long as you meet the naturalisation conditions.

My partner has the main permit and becomes Dutch first. Does my level change to B1?

It can. An integration obligation depends on your residence permit, and when your partner becomes Dutch the purpose of your stay can change. Applicants in this situation report that Mijn Inburgering then switched them to the B1 track and no longer offered A2 exams. For naturalisation itself, A2 is still enough: a Q&A written with DUO and the Ministry of Justice says people whose status changed can still apply if they meet the 2013-Act conditions, and that the integration obligation ends once you become Dutch. Many couples therefore get the A2 diploma before the first partner's ceremony. If A2 exams disappear from Mijn Inburgering, contact DUO.

Which exams make up the A2 integration diploma?

The A2 exams are Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking and Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM). If you integrate in the Netherlands under the 2013 Act or voluntarily (for example for naturalisation), Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market (ONA) is also part of it, unless you are exempt. Under the 2021 Act, the municipality's Job market and participation module (MAP) takes the place of ONA. If you had to integrate from 1 October 2017 under the 2013 Act, you must also complete the participation statement process (PVT); DUO can fine you €340 if you do not sign it in time. Mijn Inburgering lists exactly which parts you still need.

Is B1 or a longer term for naturalisation already in force?

No. In September 2025 the previous cabinet proposed a 10-year naturalisation term. The coalition agreement of 30 January 2026 says people with two temporary permits who meet a B1 language requirement may naturalise after 6 years, with a hardship clause; it does not mention the 10-year term. These are plans: no law and no start date have been published. On the date we checked, the IND naturalisation page still lists 5 years and A2.

I passed the NT2 state exam at B1 or B2. Do I still need the A2 exams?

For naturalisation, the complete NT2 Programme I (B1) or Programme II (B2) diploma is on the IND list of exemptions from the civic integration exam; passing only some NT2 parts is not enough. For an integration obligation, NT2 replaces only the language exams, so you still need the knowledge parts such as KNM. Under the 2021 Act this happens automatically if your NT2 level is at least the level in your PIP; under the 2013 Act you apply to DUO for an exemption.

For nationality: EU, EEA or Swiss

I am an EU, EEA or Swiss national. What applies to me?

You have no integration obligation. For naturalisation you do not need a Dutch residence permit, because you live here under EU law. You must still meet the other conditions, including the civic integration exam at A2 level, unless you have one of the IND exemptions (for example certain Dutch-taught diplomas).

For nationality: Turkish

I am Turkish. Do I have to integrate?

Since 2022 Turkish newcomers follow the same integration rules as most other nationalities. Turkish nationals who already lived in the Netherlands with a residence permit on 1 January 2022 are not obliged to integrate, and neither are highly skilled migrants (kennismigranten). This is only about the obligation: for naturalisation and for a permanent residence permit you still need the A2 diploma or an exemption, and the IND exemption list has no exemption based on Turkish nationality.