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Learning Dutch

Do you need Dutch? Inburgering, naturalisation, schools and teachers.

Checked on 14 Nov 2026

Dutch opens doors: the school gate, the GP letter, the job you really want. Here's who has to learn it, to what level, and the best ways in.

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General information, not legal advice. Your DUO letter and the IND page for your permit always win.

  1. 1. Check whether you must integrate (inburgeren)

    If you must, DUO sends you a letter automatically. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are exempt, and so are people here temporarily for work or study (as an expat, for example).

    Rijksoverheid · Do I have to do inburgering? ↗ · Inburgeren.nl (DUO) · Integration in the Netherlands ↗ · Government.nl · Civic integration (inburgering) ↗
  2. 2. Joining a partner from outside the EU? Check the exam abroad first

    If you need an MVV to live with your partner, you usually have to pass the Civic Integration Exam Abroad before you apply. Many nationalities are exempt, including EU/EEA, UK, US, Canada, Australia and Japan.

    IND · Civic Integration Exam Abroad ↗
  3. 3. Planning to stay for good? Know the A2 rule

    For a permanent residence permit or Dutch citizenship, the IND usually asks for the civic integration exam at level A2, or an exemption such as a Staatsexamen NT2 diploma. This applies even if you never had to integrate on arrival.

    IND · Civic integration for a more secure residence permit ↗ · IND · Civic integration for naturalisation ↗
  4. 4. Pick your way to learn

    University courses (UvA INTT, VU-NT2), approved language schools, library language help and, if you qualify, free gemeente lessons. Then book an official exam when you're ready.

    UvA INTT · Dutch language courses (NT2) ↗ · VU Amsterdam · VU-NT2 ↗ · Zoek inburgerschool (Blik op Werk approved schools) ↗ · Bibliotheek · Taal (Taalhuis directory) ↗

Key facts

Citizenship language level
A2 (civic integration exam), or exempt with Staatsexamen NT2 I or II. No official date for a move to B1 as of 14 Nov 2026 IND · Civic integration for naturalisation ↗
Naturalisation
At least 5 years in the Kingdom (among other requirements) plus the integration requirement; apply at your town hall IND · Becoming a Dutch national through naturalisation ↗
Wet inburgering 2021
Usually 3 years to integrate; B1 track, education (O) track or self-reliance (Z) track Inburgeren.nl (DUO) · Integration in the Netherlands ↗ · Government.nl · Civic integration (inburgering) ↗
Integration exam fees
€50 per part, €250 for all five parts (2021 Act); the MAP module with the gemeente is free Inburgeren.nl (DUO) · How much does integration cost? ↗
Staatsexamen NT2
Programme I = B1, Programme II = B2; €50 per part, €200 for a full exam DUO · Hoe het Staatsexamen NT2 werkt ↗ · DUO · Examengeld Staatsexamen NT2 ↗
Exam abroad result
Valid for 1 year: apply for the MVV within that year IND · Civic Integration Exam Abroad ↗

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Common questions

I'm an EU citizen. Do I have to learn Dutch?
You don't have to complete civic integration. You can still learn, and you may be able to borrow from DUO for a voluntary course until 3 years after you first registered with the gemeente. Citizenship has its own IND conditions. Government.nl · Civic integration (inburgering) ↗ · Inburgeren.nl (DUO) · Borrowing money from DUO ↗ · IND · Civic integration for naturalisation ↗
I came as a highly skilled migrant. Do I have to integrate?
Work and study are temporary purposes, so you don't take the exam abroad, and people here temporarily for work or study are listed as exempt from the obligation. If you later apply for permanent residence or citizenship, the IND's A2 requirement can still apply. IND · Temporary residence purposes under the Civic Integration Act ↗ · Rijksoverheid · Do I have to do inburgering? ↗ · IND · Civic integration for a more secure residence permit ↗
What level of Dutch do I need for citizenship?
As of 14 November 2026 the IND asks for the civic integration exam at A2, or an exemption such as Staatsexamen NT2 programme I or II. We found no official start date for a higher level. Recheck the IND page when you apply. IND · Civic integration for naturalisation ↗
What's the difference between the inburgeringsexamen and the Staatsexamen NT2?
The integration exam is DUO's exam for the integration diploma (language plus knowledge of Dutch society). NT2 is the national language exam at B1 (programme I) or B2 (programme II), and an NT2 diploma can exempt you from the integration exam for naturalisation. DUO · Hoe het Staatsexamen NT2 werkt ↗ · IND · Civic integration for naturalisation ↗
Can I join Amsterdam's free Dutch classes?
Only if you meet the City's conditions: they're not for HBO or university students, people (or partners of people) who came as expats, or people who must integrate. The lessons are free: 2 lessons of 3 hours a week. Otherwise look at INTT, VU-NT2, an approved school or the library. Gemeente Amsterdam · Nederlands leren (free lessons) ↗
How much does the NT2 exam cost?
€50 per part, €200 for a complete exam (four parts), for programme I or II. Register in Mijn DUO, about 8 weeks before. DUO · Examengeld Staatsexamen NT2 ↗ · DUO · Aanmelden Staatsexamen Nt2 ↗

Insider tips

All sources for Learning Dutch → · About ONL