In short
- If you came to the Netherlands on or after 1 January 2022 and have to integrate, the 2021 Civic Integration Act applies to you, and under this act B1 is the standard for language.
- You are obliged to integrate if you live legally in the Netherlands, are between 16 and the state pension age, and are not in the Netherlands for a temporary purpose.
- In the B1 route you take the State Exam NT2 (Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, usually at B1) and the KNM exam, and complete the participation statement and the MAP at your municipality.
- You have 3 years to integrate, counted from the day after the date of your personal integration and participation plan (PIP), which you draw up with the municipality after a broad intake.
Did you come to the Netherlands on or after 1 January 2022 and do you have to integrate? Then the 2021 Civic Integration Act (Wet inburgering 2021) applies to you. Under this act, B1 is the standard for language. This guide explains what that means, which route you follow and how to succeed.
Do I have to integrate?
You are obliged to integrate if you live legally in the Netherlands, are between 16 and the state pension age, and are not in the Netherlands for a temporary purpose. In practice this means:
- asylum status holders;
- family migrants, for example the partner of a Dutch citizen;
- other migrants with a non-temporary residence permit.
You do not have to integrate if you are a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, or if you are here for a temporary purpose, such as study or work as a highly skilled migrant. If you have a Dutch diploma or went to school in the Netherlands for at least 8 years, you can get an exemption. Since 2022, Turkish nationals are also obliged to integrate.
How it starts: letter, intake and PIP
- You receive a letter from DUO.
- The municipality invites you for a broad 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.
The three learning routes
| Route | For whom | What you complete |
|---|---|---|
| B1 route | Most people integrating | Language exams at B1 (the State Exam NT2) + KNM, plus the participation statement and the MAP at the municipality |
| Education route | Mainly young people who will study | A language bridging programme towards MBO, HBO or university, ending with NT2 at B1 or B2 + KNM (no MAP) |
| Self-reliance route (Z route) | For those for whom B1 or the education route is too difficult | Dutch up to about A1, participation at the municipality, a final interview and a certificate (not a diploma) |
B1 not working out? After at least 600 hours of lessons at a recognised school, the municipality can decide to lower one or more language parts to A2.
Which exams belong to the B1 route?
- Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking: the State Exam NT2 at the level in your PIP (usually Program I, B1). Parts you have already passed count.
- KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society), on a computer at DUO.
- Participation statement and MAP (Labour Market and Participation Module): free, at your municipality.
How much time do I have?
You have 3 years, counted from the day after the date of your PIP. DUO can extend your deadline if the delay is not your fault, for example in case of long-term illness or the birth of a child. If you have already made a substantial effort, you can get 6 extra months: among other things, you must have passed at least 2 of the 4 language exams and the KNM exam, and completed the participation statement and the MAP.
If you do not make it in time and you are not an asylum status holder, DUO can impose a fine of up to €1,000 (and €340 for the participation statement or the MAP). Since July 2025, DUO no longer fines asylum status holders; fines still apply to family migrants.
What does it cost and who pays?
- Exam fees: €50 per part. The participation statement and the MAP are free.
- Asylum status holder: the municipality pays for your language course and your first 2 attempts per exam part are free.
- Family migrant or other migrant: you pay yourself, or you borrow from DUO (up to €10,000, depending on your income). You can only use that loan at a school with the Blik op Werk quality mark. Do not count on the loan being cancelled if you pass in time: under the 2021 act that is not a fixed rule.
TaalPro does not (yet) have the Blik op Werk quality mark, so you cannot use a DUO loan with us. All amounts are on our Costs and funding page.
Tips for a realistic path
- Start with your level. Take the free level test and discuss the result in your intake.
- Work towards B1 in steps. Going from A1 to B1 takes time. One fixed lesson a week and a little practice every day works better than a lot once in a while.
- Plan your exams in time. You can register for the State Exam until 3 weeks in advance, but places often fill up sooner. See the exam dates.
- Unsure about your route? Use the route finder or ask your municipality.