The cost of the civic integration exam (inburgeringsexamen) is not the same for everyone. It depends on your situation: are you a status holder, or did you come to the Netherlands as a family or labour migrant? In this article I explain that difference. I also cover what you pay per exam component, what happens if you need a resit and who ultimately pays the bill. That way you know exactly where you stand before you register.
Key takeaways from this blog
- The exams are administered by DUO, not by the IND.
- The costs depend on your situation: status holder or other person required to integrate.
- You pay a separate fee per exam component; if you resit, you pay again.
- For status holders, the municipality covers the exam costs through the personal integration plan.
- Other people required to integrate usually pay the costs themselves.
Who administers the civic integration exam and what exactly do you pay?
The civic integration exam is administered by DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, the Education Executive Agency). DUO is the only official exam provider. You register per exam component and you also pay per exam component. If you retake a component, you pay the fee again.
The civic integration exam consists of several components. Which components you need to take depends on your level: A2 or B1. Below you will find an overview of the components and their fees.
| Exam component | Level | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Reading (Lezen) | A2 / B1 | € 40 |
| Listening (Luisteren) | A2 / B1 | € 40 |
| Speaking (Spreken) | A2 / B1 | € 60 |
| Writing (Schrijven) | B1 | € 40 |
| KNS (Knowledge of Dutch Society) | A2 / B1 | € 40 |
| ONA (Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market) | B1 | € 40 |
Please note: DUO fees can change. Always check the current amounts on the DUO website before you register. You can register via inburgeren.nl.
Status holders: who pays for your civic integration exam?
As a status holder, you are required to integrate at level B1. The three-year integration period starts when you receive the letter from the IND stating that you have a residence permit and must integrate. That is an important date to remember.
The municipality is your first point of contact. Together with you, the municipality draws up a personal integration plan. This plan also arranges the costs of your integration programme, including the exam costs. This means that as a status holder, you usually do not have to pay for the exams yourself. The municipality covers those costs.
Do you have questions about exactly what is covered in your situation? Then contact your contact person at the municipality. They know your personal integration plan and can tell you exactly what applies to you.
As a status holder, you take the civic integration exams at B1 level. The civic integration exams at B1 are the same exams as the State Exams NT2 at B1. It is not a separate or easier version. Want to know what is expected of you at that level? Read more on the B1 page of Inburgering Online.
Other people required to integrate: what do you pay yourself?
Did you come to the Netherlands as a family or labour migrant, or did you start integrating voluntarily? Then different rules apply than for status holders. There is no municipal programme that covers your costs. You usually pay the exam costs yourself.
For other people required to integrate, level A2 is still possible in certain situations, depending on your personal situation and the programme you follow. Want to integrate at A2 level? Read more on the A2 page of Inburgering Online.
Because you bear the costs yourself, it is extra important to start the exam well prepared. Every resit costs money again. Good preparation is therefore not only a matter of time, but also of budget.
How much does a resit cost?
If you resit, you pay the full fee for that exam component again. For example, if you did not pass the listening exam, you pay the full amount for that component again on your next attempt.
The result you receive from DUO does not show exactly which parts you got wrong or which topics you still need to know better. So after a resit it is up to you to decide again what to work on. That requires an honest look at your own preparation.
A resit is not the end of the world, but prevention is better. Make sure you know what is expected of you in each exam component and practise in a focused way before you register.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of the civic integration exam
How much does the civic integration exam cost in total?
That depends on how many exam components you need to take and at which level. If you take all components at B1 level in one go, the fees above add up to a total of around 260 euros. For A2 there are fewer components and therefore lower total costs. Always check the current fees on the DUO website, as they can change.
Who pays for the civic integration exam for status holders?
For status holders, the municipality covers the costs of the integration programme, including the exam costs. The municipality draws up a personal integration plan together with you. This plan also states how the funding is arranged. Your municipality is your first point of contact for questions about this.
Do I pay again for a resit?
Yes. For every new attempt at an exam component, you pay the full fee again. The DUO result does not give you a detailed overview of where you made mistakes, so you will have to decide for yourself what to do differently in your preparation.
Should I take the civic integration exam at B1 or A2?
That depends on your situation. Status holders must integrate at level B1. For other people required to integrate, such as family and labour migrants, A2 is still possible in some cases. Not sure which level applies to you? Check with the organisation that supervises your integration programme.
Where do I register for the civic integration exam?
You register via DUO’s registration page on inburgeren.nl. You pay per exam component when you register.
Do I also need to complete a participation statement programme?
In addition to the language exams, some candidates must also complete a participation statement programme (participatieverklaringstraject) and show that they know enough about the Dutch labour market. Whether this applies to you depends on your personal situation and civic integration requirement. Discuss this with your municipality or supervisor.
Start well prepared
The civic integration exam takes real effort. The format and structure of the exams are fixed, but the content of the questions differs each time. So you cannot rely on fixed answers. What you can do is get to know the structure of Dutch well and practise in a focused way with material that matches the exam format.
At Inburgering Online you will find video explanations that take you step by step through the core structures of Dutch, linked to practice material aimed directly at the exams. Whether you are working at A2 or B1, after each lesson you know what you have learned and how it fits the exam.
Practise at your level and start well prepared:
