Integration Exam requirements for expats
In 2026 the Integration requirement for expats will be A2- only for those who want to naturalize.Â
Read how you can obtain your permanent residence permit in 2026.
Estimated reading time 7 minutes
Margreet Kwakernaak, author of Dutch for Dummies
Which civic integration group do I belong to?
Are you an expat, a highly skilled migrant or both? Then read on!
Are you a refugee, or subject to an integration obligation? Then stop reading! The following information does not apply to you.Â
For an expat seeking a permanent residence permit, January 1, 2022, is crucial. If you entered the Netherlands after that date, level B1 is required for the Integration diploma. The municipality will advise you on this.
If you received your BSN before 2022, level A2 is sufficient for the Integration diploma, but only if you are willing to change your nationality to Dutch. You need the Integration diploma for a Dutch passport.
Level A2 is therefore not sufficient for expats who obtained their BSN after January 1, 2022, and are pursuing a permanent residence permit but do not want to naturalize.
Of course, you should first check your situation with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND)Â IND Living in the Netherlands for a more secure permanent residence permit and naturalization. Call IND if you are unsure.Â
When do I need to have passed all five Integration subjects at level A2?Â
In 2026, a transitional law stipulates that once you have started the exam, you can complete it at level A2 up to two years later.
Under this law, you have three years from the date you registered for the exam to complete it.
Because Inburgeren.nl does not mention this, I recommend you to call the DUO helpdesk, Contact met DUO.
How long does it take to prepare for the Integration Exam at Level A2 in 2026?
If you are highly educated you can complete it in 3-5 months – but you will need to study 4-6Â hours per week.
It takes longer if you don’t work in the Netherlands. In that case, you will need to complete a time-consuming additional component.
All candidates must pass the KNM, (Knowledge of Dutch society) exam. If you study 4 hours per week, you can complete it in a month. The longer you are in the Netherlands, the easier the KNM exam will be.
Learn more about KNM in Nederlands voor buitenlanders.
How long does it take to prepare for the B1Â integration exam – if you need a higher language level than A2?
Learning Dutch or NT2 from scratch to B1 takes twice as long as it does to A2. Achieving B1 takes a year. Moreover, it’s unllikely you’ll able to speak and write at the B1 level without professional guidance.
If you are disciplined, you can do the reading and the listening sections yourself. However, self-study always takes longer than studying with professional guidance. And, while it is possible to pass the A2 exam without ever having spoken a word of Dutch to a Dutch person, this isn’t the case for the B1 exam.Â
To reach the B1 level, you also need to practice the language in everyday life, even if you’re taking a course that includes a lor of Dutch conversation.
Did you know that there are three possible civic integration exams? Read more in Dutch citizenship, which exam?
Can I prepare indepently for the Civic Integration Exam for expats at level A2 in 2026 by myself?Â
Yes, you can partially prepare yourself. You can find a lot of information online. But it will save you time and exam fees if you pay for guidance. Good e-learning, like Nederlands voor anderstaligen provides you with all the material you need.
But speaking always requires others. That’s why e-learning and online conversation classes are the fastest and the cheapest way to learn. Read more about intensive online NT2 courses for highly educated people
Do you prefer on-site classes? These are more expensive and often less efficient than online learning with a teacher. On-site courses are mainly attended by refugees – the government pays for them.
What are the costs of preparing for the Integration exam at level A2 in 2026?Â
The price depends on your strategy, intelligence, and discipline. Of course, you cannot avoid the exam fee, normally € 250, with the part for those who don’t work, € 300,-. Inburgeren.
 Let’s delve deeper into the three elements that determine price and success.
First: Strategy
Preparatory research is half the battle – inform yourself! Read online and compare courses and prices. Time-consuming, but worth it. Additionally, ask friends or colleagues how they approached their studies and ask for references.
There are several Integration groups on Facebook. Be aware: it takes a while to learn the difference between useful and nonsense. On the other hand, both social media and social contacts enhance your studies.
One of the most informative and reliable groups is Facebook Inburgeringsgroep Ad Appel
Second: Intelligence
We cannot influence our innate intelligence, but make sure you take a course that matches your intelligence and education level.
If you are highly educated, attend Buurthuis, Library, and other free conversation classes for a maximum of 3 months. You’ll notice that there is not much progression after that. Both Buurthuis and Library groups rarely reach the level required for the A2 Civic Integration Exam.
If you are highly educated, The Delft method with online conversation classes in groups of maximum 9 students is the fastest way to learn Dutch. The Delft method does require study skills and self-discipline. The intensive online NT2 courses for highly educated people take place in the evenings, and the modular system offers the flexibility needed by people with full-time jobs.
Finally: DisciplineÂ
Self-study requires discipline and perseverance. Therefore I advise against self-study. For this way of studying, Word learning, making it part of your daily life is a helpful blog that shows you where to find words.
How to remember words – the seven steps teaches you how to remember words.
Accelerate learning Dutch B1 words focuses on B1 words, which often consist of two or more parts that you know already.
Duolingo is certainly great for learning vocabulary in useful sentences, up to level A2. But Duolingo is not enough. To learn to speak Dutch, you also need to practice in real life.
Studying in a group, helps you stay on track.
You can also form a group yourself –Â you might find people who are interested in doing the same in Facebook groups. However, such groups are generally short lived.
Moreover, talking without professional guidance and correction may be useful for practice – but only a Dutch person, a trained volunteer, or a professional like Margreet Kwakernaak, can give you good feedback for the Civic Integration Exam.
Your Dutch life partner? The help of a life partner sometimes works, sometimes not.
Conclusion
- For expats the required language level in 2026 is either A2 or B1
- By completing the exam before 31 December you avoid the risk that the current transitional law will be abolished
- The Delft method with conversation classes is the fastest way to speak Dutch
So, what is best for me?
Of course, I’d love to tell you that Suitcase talen conversation classes with the Delft method are the best for you – but it all depends on your situation. Here’s your to-do list:
- View available courses online
- Ask friends and colleagues
- Determine how much support you need: not having supperot can be time-consuming and expensive, and you might have to retake parts of the exam
- For the A2 integration exam you should expect to pay € 1000 for online learning with professional support plus the exam fee. On-site lessons will cost more
- Choose a school, study its website, fill out the contact form describing your situation, and ask for advice. A (free) intake by phone is the start of successful Dutch studies.
Suitcase talen’s Delft method Modules are the most flexible way to the Integration Exam
Are you highly educated, willing to study 4-6 hours per week, and looking for professional conversation classes, including the flexibility to take breaks in between modules? Please use the contact form , mentioning:
- your general education level
- how long you have lived in the Netherlands and your situation
- your current level of Dutch
- your target: Dutch for everyday life, Dutch for (future) children, Dutch for work, Dutch for the Integration A2 exam , or for the B Integration Exam.
