Civic integration A2 or B1: which level do you need?

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 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.