# Civic integration A2 or B1: which level do you need? > A2 or B1 for civic integration? It depends on which law applies to you. Also: lowering to A2, naturalisation and what the State Exam NT2 means. Published on 2026-09-24, last checked against official sources on 2026-09-24. URL: https://taalpro.nl/en/guides/civic-integration-a2-or-b1/ ## In short - If you became obliged to integrate on or after 1 January 2022, B1 is the standard; if it was earlier, you take the civic integration exam at A2. - In the B1 route, the municipality can decide after at least 600 course hours and enough effort that you take language parts at A2, and that is not a dispensation. - For naturalisation and for a permanent residence permit, A2 is currently required, and the plan to require B1 for naturalisation has not been introduced. - What applies to you is in your letter from DUO, in your PIP and in Mijn Inburgering, and if in doubt, ask DUO or your municipality. Do you need **A2** or **B1** for your civic integration (inburgering)? That mainly depends on **which law applies to you**. If you want to naturalise or apply for a permanent residence permit, there is a separate requirement. This guide explains which level fits your situation and how to be sure. ## The short answer - Did you become obliged to integrate **on or after 1 January 2022**? Then the **2021 Civic Integration Act** (Wet inburgering 2021) applies. Under this act, **B1** is the standard. - Did you become obliged to integrate **before 1 January 2022**? Then the old act applies: the **2013 Civic Integration Act** (Wet inburgering 2013). You then take the civic integration exam at **A2**. - Do you want to **naturalise** or get a **permanent residence permit**? Then **A2** is currently required. ## Which level fits which situation? | Your situation | Level | What you do | | --- | --- | --- | | 2021 act, **B1 route** | B1 | State Exam NT2 (the program in your PIP, usually Program I) and KNM, plus the participation statement (PVT) and the MAP at the municipality | | 2021 act, B1 route **after lowering** | A2 for one or more language parts | Those language parts at A2; the other parts stay as in your PIP | | 2021 act, **education route** | B1 or B2 | A language bridging programme towards MBO, HBO or university, with language exams at B1 or B2, KNM and the PVT (no MAP) | | 2021 act, **self-reliance route (Z route)** | Learning up to about A1 | No compulsory language exam (A2 exams are allowed), the PVT and the MAP, a final interview and a certificate (not a diploma) | | **Old act** (obliged to integrate before 2022) | A2 | Civic integration exam A2 and KNM, plus, depending on your situation, the ONA or MAP and the PVT | | **Naturalisation** (now) | A2 | Civic integration exam at A2 or higher, or an exemption, for example with a State Exam NT2 I or II diploma | | **Permanent residence permit** | A2 | Civic integration exam at A2 or higher, or an exemption or dispensation | ## The B1 route: B1 is the standard Under the 2021 act, you first receive a letter from DUO. Then the municipality invites you for a **broad intake** (brede intake), including a learnability test. Together you draw up a **personal integration and participation plan (PIP)**. It sets out your learning route and your exams. There are three learning routes: the B1 route, the education route and the Z route (see the table). Most people follow the **B1 route**. The language exams in this route **are** the **State Exam NT2** (Staatsexamen NT2): Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. Your PIP states which program you take: Program I (B1) or Program II (B2). You also take the **KNM** exam (Knowledge of Dutch Society) and complete the **PVT** and the **MAP** (Labour Market and Participation Module) at your municipality. ## From B1 to A2: lowering the level B1 not working out? Then the municipality can decide that you take one or more language parts at **A2**. This is called **lowering** (afschalen). Conditions apply: - you have followed at least **600 course hours of NT2** at a recognised school (literacy lessons count); - you have made **enough effort**; - the **municipality decides**: you do not choose it yourself; - it can apply to all language parts or to some of them. Keep two things in mind: - **600 hours is a threshold, not a prediction.** It is the minimum for lowering the level. It does not say how long it will take you to reach B1. - **Lowering is not a dispensation** (ontheffing). You still take those parts, just at A2. ## The old act: exam at A2 Did you become obliged to integrate before 1 January 2022? Then the **2013 Civic Integration Act** applies. This act still matters, for example for integration periods that were extended or that are still running after a fine. Under the old act you take the **civic integration exam at A2 or higher**: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, and KNM. Depending on when you became obliged to integrate, this also includes: - the **ONA** (Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market), if you became obliged to integrate on or after 1 January 2015. Since July 2025, the MAP can sometimes replace the ONA; - the **PVT**, if you became obliged to integrate on or after 1 October 2017. ## Naturalisation and residence permit: A2 for now For **naturalisation** (becoming a Dutch citizen) you currently need to have passed the **civic integration exam at level A2 or higher**. You are **exempt**, among other things, with: - a **State Exam NT2** diploma, Program I or II; - a civic integration diploma (2013 or 2021 act) at level A2 or higher. Note: the **Z route** certificate alone is not enough for naturalisation. Neither is a dispensation because of special individual circumstances (BIO). **What has been announced?** The government wants to raise the language requirement for naturalisation to **B1**. This is in a draft decree, but it has **not been introduced yet** and **no date** is known. For your application, always check the IND website: it shows what applies at that moment. For a **permanent residence permit** (verblijfsvergunning voor onbepaalde tijd) the same applies: the civic integration exam at A2 or higher, or an exemption or dispensation. Here, the Z route certificate **does** give an exemption. Not obliged to integrate, for example because you are here as a highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) or a student? Then you can **integrate voluntarily**. You then take the civic integration exam at A2. ## What does a State Exam NT2 diploma mean? - **Program I** is about **B1**: for work or an MBO programme at level 3 or 4. **Program II** is about **B2**: for work or study at HBO or university level. - **B1 route (2021 act):** the language exams are the State Exam NT2. Parts you have already passed at the level in your PIP or higher count automatically. - **Old act (2013):** passed parts give an exemption for those parts. You do have to apply for that exemption yourself. - **Naturalisation:** a Program I or II diploma exempts you. - You only receive the diploma once you have passed all 4 parts. The diploma and the certificates remain **valid indefinitely**. ## How to be sure what applies to you 1. **Your letter from DUO.** It states that you have to integrate. 2. **Your PIP.** This plan belongs to the 2021 act. It states which learning route you follow and which exams you take. 3. **Mijn Inburgering.** Log in with DigiD and check what you have to do. 4. **The route finder.** Answer a few questions in the [route finder](https://taalpro.nl/en/which-exam/) and see which exam fits your situation. 5. **Naturalisation or a residence permit?** Check the IND website. ## Not legal advice This guide briefly explains the rules. It is **not legal advice and not immigration advice**. Every situation is different and the rules can change. In doubt? Ask **DUO** or your **municipality**. ## Sources - DUO: https://www.inburgeren.nl/u-gaat-inburgeren/ - Overheid.nl (wetten): https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0045555/ - DUO: https://www.inburgeren.nl/minder-of-geen-examens/staatsexamen-niveau-b1-of-b2-gehaald.jsp - IND: https://ind.nl/nl/inburgering-voor-naturalisatie - IND: https://ind.nl/en/living-in-the-netherlands-with-a-residence-permit/civic-integration-for-more-secure-residence-permit - IND: https://ind.nl/nl/documenten/03-2026/uitvoeringstoets-wetsvoorstel-rijkswet-op-het-nederlanderschap-rwn-februari-2026.pdf --- Source: TaalPro, online institute for Dutch as a second language (https://taalpro.nl/en/guides/civic-integration-a2-or-b1/). Rules can change: the official websites (DUO, IND, CvTE) always take precedence.