The Dutch B1 exam: format, costs and who needs it
Last checked: 29 October 2026
The Dutch B1 exam is the Staatsexamen NT2 Programme I. It has four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking, all done on a computer at a DUO exam location. Each part costs €50, or €200 for all four. You need it if you follow the B1 route or education route under the Wet inburgering 2021, or for work and study at MBO level.
What the B1 exam is
"B1" is a language level from the European framework (CEFR). In the Netherlands, the official B1 exam is the Staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2), Programme I. The College voor Toetsen en Examens (CvTE) makes the exam and DUO runs it (DUO: how the NT2 state exam works).
There are two programmes:
| Programme | Level | Meant for |
|---|---|---|
| Programme I | B1 | Work or study at MBO level 3 or 4 |
| Programme II | B2 | Work or study at HBO or university level |
Source: DUO.
More Dutch is not affiliated with DUO or the CvTE. For official practice exams, use oefenexamensnt2.nl, which DUO links to.
Who needs the B1 exam
Under the Wet inburgering 2021 (for people who became obliged to integrate on or after 1 January 2022), your municipality makes a plan with you, the PIP (Plan Inburgering en Participatie). It sets one of three learning routes (staatsexamensnt2.nl: inburgeren):
- B1 route: language exams at B1. You take the Staatsexamen NT2.
- Education route (Onderwijsroute): also B1, via the state exam.
- Z route: language at A1 level. Your municipality tells you which exam you take. No state exam.
Your PIP says which exam you need. If you came under the Wet inburgering 2013 (obliged before 1 January 2022), you arrange your own integration and the language level is A2. Mijn Inburgering shows which exams you still need (inburgeren.nl: language exams).
For naturalisation, the language level is A2, not B1. A Staatsexamen NT2 diploma (Programme I or II) does count, and it exempts you from the civic integration requirement for naturalisation (IND: civic integration for naturalisation). See our Dutch citizenship requirements guide for the full picture.
The four parts and how long they take
| Part | Dutch name | Time (B1) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Lezen | 110 minutes |
| Listening | Luisteren | 90 minutes |
| Writing | Schrijven | 100 minutes |
| Speaking | Spreken | 25 to 30 minutes |
Source: inburgeren.nl: content of the language exams. All four parts are taken on a computer (DUO).
You can take the parts on different days. Once you pass all four, DUO sends your diploma automatically.
A short note on the A2 exam for comparison: at A2, speaking is 35 minutes on a computer, but writing is still on paper. At B1, everything is digital. Our inburgering exam A2 article covers the A2 version.
Cost, locations and registration
Cost. €50 per part, €200 for the full exam. The price is the same for Programme I and II. You pay by iDEAL or invoice. If the exam is free for you or paid through your integration loan, Mijn DUO shows this (DUO: exam fees).
Where. DUO has exam locations in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle (DUO: where and when). Bring a valid ID: passport, ID card, residence permit or driving licence. Only candidates may enter the exam building.
Registration. You register in Mijn DUO with your DigiD (DUO: registering):
- Registration opens about 8 weeks before an exam date. Dates are on staatsexamensnt2.nl.
- You get a call-up letter about 10 days before the exam.
- Arrive 30 minutes early. If you are late, you cannot take part.
- Cancel at least 4 weeks before if you want your money back.
- Ill on the day? You can report it up to 10 days afterwards.
You can ask for adjustments, for example if you have dyslexia or a disability. Do this when you register.
Results and retakes
You get your result after about 5 weeks in Mijn DUO, and also by email and post. When you have passed all four parts, DUO sends the diploma by registered post within 4 weeks. Failed a part? Register for that part again. You keep the parts you passed (DUO: results).
The pass mark and scoring per part are set by the CvTE. Check the current rules on staatsexamensnt2.nl before your exam.
How to prepare
B1 is a real step up from A2. You read longer texts, follow normal-speed audio and write emails or short texts with your own opinion. Grammar starts to matter more: word order in long sentences, the past tense, and words like omdat, dat and als that send the verb to the end.
- Do the official practice exams on oefenexamensnt2.nl under real time limits.
- Work on sentence structure with the sentence builder and the word order cheat sheet.
- Drill irregular past forms in the verb explorer. Writing at B1 is full of ik heb ... gedaan and ik was.
- Read Dutch news every day. Short articles first, then longer ones.
We wrote a full plan in how to pass the B1 Dutch exam. For the grammar side, start with our Dutch grammar guide.
If your PIP also lists KNM, you can practise that for free with the KNM practice exam. For the bigger picture of all the exams, read our inburgering exam guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dutch B1 exam the same as the Staatsexamen NT2?
Yes. The official B1 exam is Staatsexamen NT2 Programme I. Programme II is the B2 version.
How much does the B1 exam cost?
€50 per part and €200 for all four parts, according to DUO. Some people do not pay because the exam is free for them or paid through their integration loan. Mijn DUO shows this.
Do I need B1 for Dutch citizenship?
No. For naturalisation the level is A2. A B1 or B2 state exam diploma also counts and exempts you from the civic integration requirement. Plans to raise this to B1 have been discussed, but no law has changed it. Check the IND before you apply.
Can I take the parts separately?
Yes. You can register for one part at a time. If you fail a part, you only retake that part.
How long does it take to get the result?
About 5 weeks. The diploma follows by registered post within 4 weeks after you pass the last part.
Where can I find real B1 practice exams?
Use the free official practice exams on oefenexamensnt2.nl. More Dutch tools help with grammar, vocabulary and KNM, but they are not DUO exam questions.