What does that word mean?

Someone who has received an asylum residence permit in the Netherlands. Under the Civic Integration Act 2021 the municipality pays for the civic integration course, and the first 2 attempts per exam part are free (not if you take an exam at a lower level than in your PIP).

The standard learning route under the Civic Integration Act 2021. You take the language exams at level B1 (State Exam NT2 I) and the KNM exam, and at the municipality the PVT and the MAP.

The exam you take at a Dutch embassy before applying for an MVV, for example to live with your partner in the Netherlands. Three parts at level A1: KNS, Reading and Speaking.

The first meeting at the municipality if you must integrate under the Civic Integration Act 2021. The municipality looks at your situation and you take a learnability test. After that the municipality draws up your PIP.

The register of residents kept by the municipality. When you register at your address, you receive a BSN.

Your personal number for dealing with the government. You receive it once you are in the BRP. You need it, among other things, to apply for DigiD.

The organisation that makes the State Exams NT2. Free practice exams from the CvTE are on oefenexamensnt2.nl.

Your digital identity for logging in to government services, such as DUO, the Tax Administration and the municipality. DigiD is personal: never share your login details; use DigiD Machtigen (authorisation) if someone helps you.

The government agency that carries out civic integration: DUO sends the letter about your civic integration obligation, organises the exams, keeps track of your period and provides the civic integration loan.

The European scale for language levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (almost like a native speaker). For civic integration under the 2021 act, B1 is the standard.

Under the Civic Integration Act 2021 your municipality arranges the broad intake, your PIP, the PVT and the MAP. For asylum permit holders, the municipality also pays for the civic integration course.

The desk of Nuffic and SBB where you have your foreign diploma compared with Dutch education. You receive an advice on the level, not permission to work in a profession. Free once for most people doing civic integration.

The obligation to integrate: learn Dutch and pass the exams. DUO sends you a letter if you have this obligation. People from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland do not.

The time you have to complete civic integration: 3 years. Under the 2021 act the period starts on the day after the date of your PIP. In special situations DUO can extend it.

The service that decides on residence permits, the MVV and naturalisation.

The exam about life in the Netherlands, with 8 themes such as work, housing, healthcare and education. You take it on a computer at DUO; it takes 45 minutes.

Part of the exam abroad (BIB), about life in the Netherlands. All questions and answers are in the photo book of the free self-study pack on naarnederland.nl.

A test during the broad intake that shows how well you can learn a new language. The municipality uses the result when choosing your learning route.

Family migrants and other migrants can borrow money from DUO for the course and the exams, up to € 10,000. This is only possible for a school with the Blik op Werk quality mark. Asylum permit holders under the 2021 act do not borrow: the municipality pays.

Part of civic integration at the municipality (B1 route and Z-route) that prepares you for work and taking part in society. Free, with at least 40 hours of practice, ending with a final interview.

Your personal DUO page about your civic integration. You log in with DigiD (with SMS verification or the app). Here you register for the A2 and KNM exams and see what you still need to do.

A visa to enter the Netherlands for a stay of more than 3 months. If you want to live with your partner in the Netherlands, you usually first have to pass the BIB.

Becoming a Dutch citizen. One of the requirements is showing that you know enough Dutch: currently with the civic integration exam A2 or a State Exam NT2 diploma.

NT1 is Dutch as a native (first) language, NT2 is Dutch as a second language: for people with another native language. The State Exam NT2 and NT2 courses are meant for people learning Dutch as a second language.

Learning Dutch when it is not your native language. The State Exam NT2 tests this at level B1 or B2.

Part of civic integration under the old act (before 2022), about work in the Netherlands. Since 10 July 2025 the MAP can replace the ONA, if your municipality allows it.

Learning route mainly for young people: a language bridging programme towards secondary vocational education (mbo), higher professional education (hbo) or university. You finish with the State Exam NT2 at B1 or B2 and the KNM exam. There is no MAP in this route, but there is the PVT.

The plan the municipality makes with you after the broad intake. It sets out your learning route, your exams and what you do at the municipality, such as the PVT and the MAP.

Part of civic integration at the municipality: you learn about the core values of the Netherlands and sign the participation statement. Under the 2021 act it is free and takes at least 12 hours.

The official exam in Dutch as a second language. Program I is level B1, Program II level B2. There are four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking.

The programme in the education route that prepares you for a study programme in Dutch, at mbo, hbo or university level.

With an exemption (vrijstelling) you do not have to do (part of) civic integration, for example because you have a Dutch diploma. You get a dispensation (ontheffing) if civic integration is not possible for a medical reason or special circumstances.

The civic integration law for people who became obliged to integrate on or after 1 January 2022. B1 is the standard. If you became obliged earlier, the old act applies, with the civic integration exam at A2.

Learning route for people for whom the B1 route or the education route is too difficult. You learn Dutch up to about A1 and take part in activities at the municipality. You finish with a final interview and a certificate.