How inburgering works

What is inburgering?

Inburgering (civic integration) is the Dutch system that makes sure newcomers learn the language and understand how society works. If you are inburgeringsplichtig (obliged to integrate), you must finish a set of exams and modules within a fixed period.

Not everyone has this obligation. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, for example, usually do not. Many highly skilled migrants and their partners are also not obliged, but they may still choose to take the exams — for instance because they plan to apply for permanent residence or Dutch citizenship later. Check your own situation in Mijn Inburgering or in your letters from DUO.

Two laws: Wi2013 and Wi2021

There are two systems running side by side:

	Wet inburgering 2013 (Wi2013)	Wet inburgering 2021 (Wi2021)
Applies to	People who became obliged before 1 January 2022	People who became obliged on or after 1 January 2022
Language level	A2	Usually B1 (B1-route), sometimes A2 after downscaling
Who guides you	Mostly yourself, via DUO	Your gemeente (municipality)
Work module	ONA	MAP
Plan	—	PIP (personal plan)

The date your obligation started decides which law applies. You can see this in Mijn Inburgering.

The 3-year term

Under both systems you normally have three years to finish. If you do not finish in time and you have no extension or exemption, DUO can give you a fine. If illness, a late course start or other serious circumstances slow you down, ask for extra time early — not in the last month.

Wi2021: brede intake and PIP

Under Wi2021 your municipality invites you for a brede intake (broad intake interview). They look at your education, work experience, health and learning ability. The result is your PIP (persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie). Your PIP says:

• which learning route you follow,
• which exams or modules you must finish,
• which course or school you go to, and
• when your official term starts.

The three learning routes (Wi2021)

Route	For whom	What you finish
B1-route	Most newcomers who can learn Dutch for work or volunteering	Language exams at B1 (Lezen, Luisteren, Schrijven, Spreken), KNM, PVT and MAP
Onderwijsroute	Mostly younger people heading for mbo, hbo or university	A taalschakeltraject (bridging programme), language exams at B1 or B2, KNM and PVT
Z-route (zelfredzaamheidsroute)	People for whom B1 or study is not realistic within the term	Practical Dutch, participation activities, PVT, MAP and a final interview with the municipality. A2 exams are possible but not required.

In the B1-route, if B1 turns out not to be realistic after enough effort, the municipality can discuss lowering the target to A2.

The five exams

Whatever your route, the core is the same five parts this app helps you prepare for:

1. Lezen – reading
2. Luisteren – listening
3. Schrijven – writing
4. Spreken – speaking
5. KNM – Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society

At B1 and B2 level the four language exams are the Staatsexamen NT2 (Programma I = B1, Programma II = B2). At A2 level they are DUO's own inburgering language exams.

Modules that are not exams

• PVT – Participatieverklaringstraject: a workshop about core Dutch values, ending with signing a declaration.
• MAP – Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie (Wi2021): done with your municipality, about finding your place in work and society.
• ONA – Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt (mainly Wi2013): a portfolio and final interview about the Dutch labour market. If your old letters mention ONA but you are under Wi2021, check whether you need MAP instead.

Where to check your own requirements

• Mijn Inburgering (log in with DigiD) – your law, deadline, exams still to do, and results.
• Your PIP (Wi2021) – your route and agreements with the municipality.
• DUO letters – official decisions and deadlines.

General articles, including this one, can never replace your own documents.