Dutch integration exam changes in 2025 and 2026
Last checked: 29 October 2026
The biggest Dutch integration exam changes are a new KNM exam since 1 July 2025, a shorter cancel deadline for A2 exams, digital diplomas since 1 January 2026, and longer waits for Speaking and Writing A2 results. The level did not change: A2 under the 2013 law, usually B1 under the 2021 law. Stricter naturalisation plans are not law.
| Date | Change | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2025 | New KNM exam, with new topics and new practice exams | In force |
| July 2025 | MAP can replace ONA when no ONA course is available | In force |
| 19 November 2025 | Change or cancel an A2 exam up to 7 days before, instead of 14 | In force |
| December 2025 | Extra time possible when only Speaking B1 is left | In force, by letter |
| 1 January 2026 | All integration diplomas are digital | In force |
| 18 May 2026 | Extra time also possible for Speaking A2 and Writing A2 | In force, by letter |
| July 2026 | Childcare benefit for MAP, PVT and Z route participation hours | In force |
| 31 July 2026 | Speaking A2 and Writing A2 results take up to 16 weeks | Temporary |
| September 2025 onwards | Naturalisation after 10 years instead of 5 | Proposal only |
| Earlier plan | Naturalisation language level from A2 to B1 | Proposal only |
Sources are linked in each section below. More Dutch is not affiliated with DUO. We read DUO's news archive and the government's own pages up to the date at the top.
What did not change: the level
People search for "Dutch integration exam level 2025" and "2026" expecting a new level. There is none. The level depends on your law, the same as since 2022 (inburgeren.nl):
- 2013 law (duty started before 1 January 2022): A2.
- 2021 law (duty started on or after 1 January 2022): usually B1 on the B1 route, set in your personal plan (PIP). The Z route works at A1.
For naturalisation, A2 is still the minimum (ind.nl). Our page on Dutch language exam levels explains what each level means in practice.
2025 changes
A new KNM exam from 1 July 2025
The KNM exam (Knowledge of Dutch Society) changed on 1 July 2025. DUO said it would contain different topics, so the practice exams changed too (inburgeren.nl). The government said the new exam pays more attention to women's right to make their own choices and to knowledge of the Holocaust (rijksoverheid.nl).
What it means for you: use DUO's new practice exams, not the old ones, and recheck those two topics if you studied from older material. The format is the same 45-minute computer exam. More in how to pass the KNM exam.
MAP instead of ONA (2013 law)
There are fewer and fewer ONA courses. Since July 2025, if you cannot take one, you can ask your municipality whether you can follow MAP instead. After MAP, DUO checks whether you get an exemption from ONA and tells you by letter (inburgeren.nl).
Fines for asylum status holders under the 2013 law
In July 2025 the Raad van State, the highest administrative court, ruled that DUO may no longer fine asylum status holders under the 2013 law for taking too long, or ask them to repay their integration loan (inburgeren.nl). In July 2026 DUO said it will pay back fines and loan repayments to those who qualify, and will send letters in autumn 2026 (inburgeren.nl). For family migrants and other migrants nothing changed.
Shorter cancel deadline for A2 exams
Since 19 November 2025 you can change the date or location of an A2 exam, or cancel it and get your money back, up to 7 days before the exam. It used to be 14 days (inburgeren.nl). See how to reschedule the inburgering exam.
2026 changes
Digital diplomas from 1 January 2026
All integration diplomas are now digital. You download yours from Mijn diploma's after DUO's letter with all your results arrives. The IND accepts it, so you can send it as a PDF when you apply to naturalise. A paper diploma is still free once, on request, and takes up to 8 weeks (inburgeren.nl, inburgeren.nl). A printout of the digital diploma is not valid (inburgeren.nl).
Extra time because exam places are short
There are not enough places for some exams. Since December 2025, people whose integration period is about to end and who only have Speaking B1 left can get extra time. Since 18 May 2026 the same applies to Speaking A2 and Writing A2. It covers asylum status holders, family migrants and other migrants. You only get it if DUO sends you a letter, and the letter says how much (inburgeren.nl, inburgeren.nl).
Longer waits for Speaking and Writing A2 results
Since 31 July 2026, DUO needs up to 16 weeks to mark Speaking A2 and Writing A2, instead of 8. If you are near the end of your integration period while waiting, DUO extends it by 6 months automatically (inburgeren.nl). Details in inburgering exam results.
Childcare benefit for more parts
From July 2026, childcare benefit is also possible for MAP, the participation statement (PVT) and the participation hours on the Z route, not only for language lessons. You apply through the Benefits Agency (Dienst Toeslagen), and your municipality can help (inburgeren.nl).
Plans that are not law yet
Two plans get a lot of attention. Neither applies today.
- Naturalisation after 10 years. In September 2025 the cabinet proposed raising the normal waiting time for naturalisation from 5 to 10 years of residence (rijksoverheid.nl). It was put out for public consultation. A bill must still pass both chambers of parliament.
- B1 for naturalisation. There have been plans to raise the language level for naturalisation from A2 to B1. The IND still lists A2 as the requirement (ind.nl).
Neither plan changes the inburgering exam itself. They change what you need to become Dutch. Our Dutch citizenship requirements page tracks them.
How to keep up
DUO posts every change as news on inburgeren.nl, and it writes to you personally when a change affects your case. Mijn Inburgering always shows your own deadline and remaining exams. The full overview of the exam is in the inburgering exam guide.
If KNM is still ahead of you, try our free KNM practice exam. The questions are written by us, in Dutch, and sorted by the KNM themes. Check the two new topics on DUO's own practice exams as well. Or get one KNM question a week by email.
Frequently asked questions
What changed in the inburgering exam in 2025?
KNM got new topics from 1 July 2025, MAP can replace ONA when no course is available, and the cancel deadline for A2 exams went from 14 to 7 days.
What changed in 2026?
Diplomas became digital on 1 January 2026, more people can get extra time because exam places are short, Speaking and Writing A2 results take up to 16 weeks, and childcare benefit covers more parts.
Is the integration exam B1 in 2026?
Only if you fall under the 2021 law and your plan puts you on the B1 route. Under the 2013 law it is still A2.
Is naturalisation now 10 years?
No. That is a proposal from September 2025. Until a law is passed and comes into force, the normal term stays 5 years.
Do I need B1 to become Dutch?
No. A2 is still the minimum for naturalisation according to the IND. A B1 or B2 Nt2 diploma also counts.
Do my old KNM practice exams still work?
If you take KNM after 1 July 2025, use DUO's new practice exams. The topics changed.