Inburgering exam A2 or B1? How to know which one you take
Last checked: 29 October 2026
Whether you take the inburgering exam at A2 or B1 depends on your law. Under the 2013 law it is always A2. Under the 2021 law (from 1 January 2022) your municipality sets the level in your personal plan (PIP): B1 on the B1 route and the education route, A1 on the Z route. Mijn Inburgering shows yours.
| Your situation | Language level | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Duty to integrate under the 2013 law | A2 | inburgeren.nl |
| 2021 law, B1 route | B1 (Nt2 state exam) | inburgeren.nl |
| 2021 law, education route (O route) | B1 (Nt2 state exam) | inburgeren.nl |
| 2021 law, Z route | A1 learning, A2 exams optional | inburgeren.nl |
| 2021 law, B1 route, 600+ hours of lessons and still no B1 | Talk to your municipality about A2 | inburgeren.nl |
| Naturalisation | A2 integration exam, or Nt2 at B1 or B2 | inburgeren.nl, IND |
More Dutch is not affiliated with DUO or the IND. Rules change, so check Mijn Inburgering and the official pages linked here before you plan.
Under the 2013 law: A2
If you became required to integrate before 1 January 2022, the 2013 law applies. You take the language exams at A2 within 3 years, and you can study on your own or at a school (inburgeren.nl). Your integration diploma under this law is always at A2 level (inburgeren.nl).
Under the 2021 law: your PIP decides
Under the 2021 law you do not pick a level yourself. After a broad intake, your municipality makes a personal plan with you, the PIP. It sets your route and your exams (inburgeren.nl):
- B1 route: prepares you for paid or voluntary work. You take the language exams at B1, which is the Nt2 state exam, plus knowledge exams.
- Education route: mainly for young people heading for MBO, HBO or university. Also B1.
- Z route (self-reliance): for people for whom the other routes are too hard. You learn Dutch at A1. The A2 exams are possible but not compulsory.
Can you switch from B1 to A2? Only in one situation on the official page: you followed at least 600 hours of language lessons and still cannot pass at B1. Then you talk to your municipality about scaling down to A2 (same source).
Watch the cost. Under the 2021 law, asylum status holders get their first 2 attempts free. That does not apply if you take an exam at a lower level than your PIP says (inburgeren.nl). So do not book A2 on your own if your plan says B1.
How the A2 and B1 exams differ
They are different exams, not just harder questions.
| A2 | B1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | DUO integration exams | Staatsexamen Nt2, Programme I |
| Register in | Mijn Inburgering | Mijn DUO |
| Reading | 65 min, computer | 110 min, computer |
| Listening | 45 min, computer | 90 min, computer |
| Writing | 40 min, pen and paper | 100 min, computer |
| Speaking | 35 min, computer | 25 to 30 min, computer |
| Fee | €50 per exam | €50 per part, €200 for all four |
| Result | Within 8 weeks (Speaking and Writing: up to 16 weeks for now) | About 5 weeks |
Sources: exam content, costs, Nt2 fees, A2 results, DUO news, Nt2 results, Nt2 on computer.
In plain terms: A2 means you can handle short, simple everyday Dutch. B1 means you can read longer texts, follow normal-speed Dutch and write texts with your own opinion. Read the inburgering exam at A2 and the Dutch B1 exam for each one in detail.
KNM is the same either way. The KNM exam is one 45-minute computer exam, with questions written in A2-level Dutch (inburgeren.nl, Staatscourant 2024, 15802). There is no separate "B1 KNM". See what is the KNM exam.
For naturalisation: A2 is enough today
To become a Dutch citizen through naturalisation, you need the integration exam at A2, or the Nt2 state exam at B1 or B2 (inburgeren.nl). The IND also accepts a civic integration diploma at A2 or above, under either law, and an Nt2 diploma for Programme I or II (IND).
Naturalisation rules may get stricter. In September 2025 the government put a bill out for consultation to raise the minimum residence period from 5 to 10 years (rijksoverheid.nl), and there are political plans to raise the language requirement to B1. On the date we checked, the IND still listed A2. If you plan to naturalise in the next few years, check ind.nl before you choose, because a B1 diploma would cover you either way. More in Dutch citizenship requirements and the Dutch language test for citizenship.
If you integrate voluntarily
You can also integrate without a duty, for example to naturalise or for a stronger residence permit (inburgeren.nl). Most people in that situation take the A2 exams, because that is what naturalisation asks for now. If you need Dutch for work or study at MBO level, Programme I (B1) is the more useful diploma. Programme II (B2) is for HBO and university (DUO).
Which should you choose if you can?
- Choose A2 if your only goal is naturalisation under today's rules, or your Dutch is still basic and you want the diploma sooner.
- Choose B1 if you want to work or study in Dutch, if you might naturalise after the rules change, or if you are already close to B1.
Not sure where you are? Do a free DUO practice exam at A2 and one Nt2 practice exam at B1 (inburgeren.nl) and compare. If you are aiming for B1, the plan in how to pass the B1 Dutch exam helps. Not sure how hard each level is? Read is the inburgering exam difficult. Everything else is in the inburgering exam guide.
Whatever your level, you also take KNM. Try a free 15-question KNM drill, or sign up for one KNM question a week.
Frequently asked questions
Is the inburgering exam A2 or B1?
Under the 2013 law it is A2. Under the 2021 law your personal plan decides. On the B1 route and the education route it is B1.
Can I choose to take A2 instead of B1?
Under the 2021 law, not on your own. If you followed at least 600 hours of lessons and still cannot pass B1, you can ask your municipality about A2.
Is A2 enough for Dutch citizenship?
Yes, on the date we checked. The IND asks for the integration exam at A2, or an Nt2 diploma at B1 or B2. There are political plans to raise this to B1, so check ind.nl before you apply.
Is the B1 exam the same as the Nt2 state exam?
Yes. The B1 exam is the Staatsexamen Nt2, Programme I. Programme II is B2.
Is KNM different at A2 and B1?
No. There is one KNM exam for everyone. Its questions are written in A2-level Dutch.
Does B1 cost more than A2?
No. Each A2 exam and each Nt2 part costs €50.