Whether you have just received a residence permit or have been living in the Netherlands for a while as a family or labour migrant: the question of whether you are required to integrate does not have the same answer for everyone. The rules differ per target group and the required level and the programme you follow also vary. Civic integration takes time and effort, but once you know what is expected of you, you can get started in a focused way.
Key takeaways from this blog
- The civic integration requirement applies to status holders and to certain family and labour migrants, but the rules differ per group.
- Status holders must integrate at level B1; for other people required to integrate, level A2 may still apply.
- The three-year integration period starts on the date you received the letter from the IND.
- The exams are administered by DUO, not by the IND.
- In addition to the language exams, some people must also complete a participation statement programme and demonstrate knowledge of the Dutch labour market.
What is the civic integration requirement?
The civic integration requirement (inburgeringsplicht) obliges certain newcomers and migrants in the Netherlands to learn the Dutch language and gain knowledge of Dutch society. It is based on the Civic Integration Act 2021 (Wet inburgering 2021, Wi2021), which replaced the Civic Integration Act 2013. Civic integration is not optional: it is a legal obligation with concrete exams and a fixed deadline. These exams are administered by DUO.
Who does the civic integration requirement apply to?
The civic integration requirement does not apply to everyone in the same way. Below you can read what is expected of you per group.
Status holders
Status holders are people who live in the Netherlands with an asylum residence permit, based on refugee status or subsidiary protection. This group is required to integrate at level B1. The municipality draws up a personal integration plan together with you and is your first point of contact for questions about the programme.
The three-year integration period starts on the date you received the letter from the IND stating that you have a residence permit and must integrate. It is important to keep track of this start date, because the clock starts ticking from the moment you receive it.
The civic integration exams at B1 are the same as the State Exams NT2 at B1. It is not a separate or easier version. DUO administers these exams.
Other people required to integrate: family and labour migrants
If you came to the Netherlands as a family migrant or labour migrant, you may also be required to integrate, but your situation differs from that of status holders in a number of ways. You do not follow a municipal programme and the municipality does not draw up a personal integration plan for you. You arrange your civic integration yourself.
For this group, level A2 may still apply, depending on your specific situation. That is a lower level than B1, but it does not mean the preparation is optional. Here too, the exams are administered by DUO and there is a deadline attached.
A practical difference between the levels: at A2, incorrect use of de/het is overlooked. At B1, it is no longer accepted. So it pays to take this part seriously if you are working towards B1.
What do you need to do to integrate?
The components of the civic integration exam
The civic integration programme consists of several components. You take language exams at the level that applies to you (A2 or B1), but depending on your situation other obligations may also apply.
Some people must complete a participation statement programme (participatieverklaringstraject). In this programme you learn more about the values and norms of Dutch society and you sign the participation statement. In addition, some people must demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge of the Dutch labour market. These are official components of the civic integration programme, not side issues.
How do you prepare for the language exams?
The format and structure of the exams are fixed, but the content of the questions differs each time. So you cannot base your preparation on one fixed set of questions. What you can do is familiarise yourself with the types of questions, the listening fragments, the texts and the way DUO tests.
Authentic Dutch material, such as regular television, radio and podcasts, is valuable for this. Not because it is easy, but precisely because it exposes you to language at and above the exam level. As a result, the exam level eventually feels more familiar. The only thing to keep in mind: do not get frustrated if you do not understand everything. That is not the goal.
For B1, you focus on a vocabulary of the most common words. For A2, that is a smaller core. It is not about knowing a complete word list by heart, but about recognising and understanding the most frequently used words in context.
What are the consequences if you do not integrate on time?
If you do not meet the three-year integration period, there may be consequences. DUO can impose a fine. It can also affect your residence permit or an application for a permanent residence permit or naturalisation. So it is not something you can put off.
There are situations in which you can apply for an extension, for example if you can show insufficient learning progress through no fault of your own. But that is an exception, not a standard way out. Do not count on it in your planning.
Frequently asked questions about the civic integration requirement
Who does the civic integration requirement apply to?
The civic integration requirement applies to status holders (people with an asylum residence permit) and to certain family and labour migrants who want to live in the Netherlands. The exact rules, the required level and the programme differ per group. Status holders follow a programme via the municipality; other people required to integrate arrange their civic integration themselves.
What is the difference between the civic integration requirement for status holders and for other migrants?
Status holders must integrate at level B1 and receive a personal integration plan from the municipality for this. The municipality is their first point of contact. Family and labour migrants are also required to integrate, but they do not follow a municipal programme. For them, level A2 may still apply, depending on their situation.
When does the integration period start?
The three-year integration period starts on the date you received the letter from the IND. This letter states that you have a residence permit and that you must integrate. Keep careful track of this date.
Who administers the civic integration exams?
The civic integration exams are administered by DUO. The IND does not administer the exams.
What are the consequences if you do not meet the integration deadline?
If you do not integrate on time, DUO can impose a fine. It can also affect your residence permit or a later application for a permanent residence permit or naturalisation. In exceptional cases the deadline can be extended, but that is not an automatic right.
Do you need to do anything besides the language exams?
That depends on your situation. Some people must complete a participation statement programme and demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge of the Dutch labour market. These are official obligations within the civic integration programme.
Are the civic integration exams at B1 easier than the State Exams?
No. The civic integration exams at B1 are the same as the State Exams NT2 at B1. It is not a separate or easier version. In both cases, the exams are administered by DUO.
Start practising at your level
Do you know at which level you need to integrate? Then the next step is focused practice. At Inburgering Online you will find practice material that matches the format of the exams, with clear video explanations and direct guidance on the core structures of Dutch.
Working towards B1? Then check out the practice material on the B1 page. Preparing for A2? You will find everything you need on the A2 page. You pay 13.95 euros per month and you can work at your own pace.
