How much does the inburgering exam cost?

Last checked: 29 October 2026

Each inburgering exam costs €50. Under the 2021 law the five exams cost €250 together, and MAP is free. Under the 2013 law you also take ONA for €40, so €290 in total. At B1 or B2, each Nt2 state exam part costs €50, or €200 for all four. Courses are extra.

Source: inburgeren.nl, costs. More Dutch is not affiliated with DUO. Check your own list of exams in Mijn Inburgering, because not everyone takes every part.

How much do the inburgering exams cost at B1 or B2?

At B1 or B2 the language exams are the Nt2 state exam (Staatsexamen Nt2). Each part costs €50, and a complete exam of four parts costs €200. That is the same for programme I (B1) and programme II (B2) (duo.nl). KNM stays €50.

So on the B1 route under the 2021 law you pay €200 for the four Nt2 parts plus €50 for KNM. The Dutch B1 exam explains the Nt2 parts.

The participation statement (PVT)

Source: inburgeren.nl.

Who does not pay

Under the 2021 law, asylum status holders get the first 2 attempts at each exam for free. That does not apply if you take an exam at a lower level than your PIP says. A higher level is fine. From the third attempt you pay yourself (inburgeren.nl). DUO's registration form says partners, parents and children of an asylum status holder who became required to integrate after 1 January 2022 also get the 2 free attempts (form).

Asylum status holders under the 2021 law cannot borrow from DUO. The municipality pays for the course and the 2 exam attempts (borrowing).

Paying with a DUO loan

If you are not an asylum status holder, you pay yourself or borrow from DUO (inburgeren.nl):

• You apply in Mijn Inburgering under "Lening aanvragen". Without DigiD there is a paper form, and DUO answers within 8 weeks.
• You can borrow for a course at A2, B1 or B2, a literacy course, and the exams.
• The course must be at a school listed on zoekinburgerschool.nl.
• DUO pays the school or the exam directly. The money does not go into your bank account.
• How much you can borrow depends on your income (how much).

When you book an exam in Mijn Inburgering, choose "pay with a loan". For an Nt2 exam, Mijn DUO shows straight away if you can pay from a loan (paying the exam with a loan).

Paying the loan back

You start repaying 6 months after you finish integrating. You pay monthly over up to 10 years, with interest, and DUO collects it from your bank account (paying back). Sometimes part of the loan is cancelled. Asylum status holders never repay their loan.

Costs people forget

• Retakes. Each new attempt costs €50 again. If you miss an exam without cancelling in time, you also pay again (exam rules).
• Late cancelling. You get your money back only if you cancel at least 1 week before. ONA is never refunded. See how to reschedule the inburgering exam.
• Forgetting your ID. No valid ID means no exam, and you register and pay again.
• The course. Schools set their own prices. Ask the school.
• A paper copy of your diploma. The digital diploma is free, and so is one paper copy. A duplicate costs €72 (diploma).
• Fines for missing your deadline. Up to €1,000 under the 2021 law and €1,250 under the 2013 law (fines). Asylum status holders are not fined.

Some help exists too. Some municipalities pay travel costs for a course outside your town. If your children go to childcare while you follow a listed course, you may get childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) (inburgeren.nl).

Keep the retake bill low

The cheapest exam is the one you pass the first time. DUO's own practice exams are free (inburgeren.nl), and so are the KNM drills here: try a free 15-question KNM drill. If you want the full 450-question bank and mock exams, More Dutch Plus is a one-time €14.99 (pricing). For the plan, read how to pass the inburgering exam, and see the inburgering exam guide for everything else.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the inburgering exam cost in total?

€250 under the 2021 law (five exams at €50) and €290 under the 2013 law (six exams, including ONA at €40). Courses are not included.

How much is the KNM exam?

€50, under both laws.

Is the inburgering exam free for refugees?

Under the 2021 law, asylum status holders get 2 free attempts at each exam. Under the 2013 law they can borrow up to €10,000 from DUO and never have to repay it.

How do I pay for the inburgering exam?

With iDEAL, by invoice, or from your DUO loan. You choose when you register.

Do I get my money back if I cancel?

Yes, if you cancel at least 1 week before an A2 exam or KNM, or at least 4 weeks before an Nt2 exam. ONA is not refunded.

Does the municipality pay for my exam?

Under the 2021 law only for asylum status holders, who get 2 attempts paid. Others pay themselves or borrow from DUO.