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Exam guide · A2 (B1 planned)

Naturalisation · Dutch language requirement (IND)

For people who want to become Dutch citizens through naturalisation: which language proof the IND accepts today (A2), and what is known about the planned move to B1.

IND · DUO
Language

Exam guide: A2 (B1 planned)

Official website
IND decision within12monthsCan be extended twice by 6 months
Exam parts5· 230 minLezen · Luisteren · Schrijven · Spreken · KNM
Cost€1,139

Naturalisation (A2 (B1 planned), IND · DUO) has 5 parts: Lezen, Luisteren, Schrijven, Spreken, KNM. Cost: 2026 IND fee: €1,139 single, €1,454 with partner, €168 per co-naturalising minor child. Decision: Legal decision period: 12 months, which the IND may extend twice by 6 months. Checked 2026-09-25.

Dates, places and waiting times

No exam dates: you apply by appointment at your town hall; the IND decides. Requirements: usually 5 years of legal residence and a passed integration exam (A2 or higher). After approval you attend the naturalisation ceremony within 1 year. source

  1. 1Applyappointment at your town hall
  2. 2IND decideswithin 12 months (+6 +6)
  3. 3Ceremonywithin 1 year of the decision
  4. 4Dutch nationalDutch nationality is permanent.

Where

Apply at the municipality where you are registered. source

Waiting & results

No live average is published; the IND reports that in 2025 all naturalisation decisions were made within the legal period. source

Legal decision period: 12 months, which the IND may extend twice by 6 months. Nationality starts at the ceremony. source

Cost & retakes

2026 IND fee: €1,139 single, €1,454 with partner, €168 per co-naturalising minor child. Fees change every 1 January. source

No separate test: your integration diploma is the proof. Proposed, not in force: 10 instead of 5 years of residence and B1 instead of A2 (no start date). source

At a glance

Required level nowA2 (checked 2026-09-25)[1]
Accepted proofCivic integration exam at A2; Staatsexamen NT2 programme I or II; inburgeringsdiploma A2 or higher (Wi2013 or Wi2021)[1]
Legal basisBesluit naturalisatietoets, article 5: "op het niveau A2"[3]
B1 requirementPlanned, not in force. No official start date.[5]
A2 exam partsLezen, Luisteren, Schrijven, Spreken, KNM[17]
Cost (A2 route)€50 per exam[11]
A2 resultsBy letter within 8 weeks, also in Mijn Inburgering[14]
NT2 validityCertificates and diploma are valid indefinitely[12]

Exam parts230 min in total

Lezen65 min
Luisteren45 min
Schrijven40 min
Spreken35 min
KNM45 min
LezenReading · Not stated on the official page (unverified)
65 min
Format
On a computer at a DUO exam location
Questions / tasks
Not stated on the official page (unverified)
Task types
Reading texts at A2 level; task types not described on the checked page
Scoring
Scoring method not published on the checked page; result by letter within 8 weeks
Allowed aids
Not stated on the checked page — check the DUO exam rules[9]
LuisterenListening · Not stated on the official page (unverified)
45 min
Format
On a computer at a DUO exam location
Questions / tasks
Not stated on the official page (unverified)
Task types
Listening at A2 level; task types not described on the checked page
Scoring
Scoring method not published on the checked page; result by letter within 8 weeks
Allowed aids
Not stated on the checked page — check the DUO exam rules[9]
SchrijvenWriting · 4 writing tasks
40 min
Format
Paper and pen (not on a computer)
Questions / tasks
4 writing tasks
Task types
For example short letters and filling in forms
Scoring
Scoring method not published on the checked page; result by letter within 8 weeks
Allowed aids
Not stated on the checked page — check the DUO exam rules[9]
SprekenSpeaking · Not stated on the official page (unverified)
35 min
Format
On a computer at a DUO exam location
Questions / tasks
Not stated on the official page (unverified)
Task types
You watch short films and answer questions
Scoring
Scoring method not published on the checked page; result by letter within 8 weeks
Allowed aids
Not stated on the checked page — check the DUO exam rules[9]
KNMKnowledge · Not stated on the official page (unverified)
45 min
Format
On a computer; questions are grouped by theme
Questions / tasks
Not stated on the official page (unverified)
Task types
Knowledge of Dutch society; question types not stated on the official page
Scoring
Scoring method not published on the checked page; result by letter within 8 weeks
Allowed aids
Not stated on the checked page — check the DUO exam rules[10]

Scoring, results and retakes

1

Required level: A2

Article 5 of the Besluit naturalisatietoets still says "op het niveau A2". The version in force is dated 2022-05-26; no future version with B1 was found.[3]

2

A2 exam and KNM results

You get a letter within 8 weeks. You can also see the result in Mijn Inburgering. If you disagree with a decision, you can file a bezwaar (objection) or a klacht (complaint).[14]

3

NT2 diploma and certificates

If you pass all 4 parts of the Staatsexamen NT2, DUO sends you a diploma. For a single passed part you can request a certificate in "Mijn diploma's". "De certificaten en het diploma zijn onbeperkt geldig" — they do not expire.[12]

What is really tested

Derived from the official task descriptions and level descriptions — not from leaked questions.

Lezen (A2)

  • The level for naturalisation is A2 — you do not need B1 today.
  • It is a computer exam of 65 minutes: practise reading on a screen.
  • The number of questions is not published on the checked page — use the official practice exams to see the format.
Source [9]

Luisteren (A2)

  • Level A2 is enough for naturalisation at the moment.
  • It is a computer exam of 45 minutes.
  • Question number and types are not published on the checked page — check the official practice material.
Source [9]

Schrijven (A2)

  • You write by hand, on paper — not on a computer.
  • 4 tasks in 40 minutes: about 10 minutes per task on average.
  • Task types include short letters and filling in forms.
Source [9]

Spreken (A2)

  • You watch short films and answer questions about them.
  • It is a computer exam of 35 minutes.
  • The number of questions and answer time are not published on the checked page.
Source [9]

KNM

  • Computer exam of 45 minutes; the questions come in different themes.
  • A new KNM exam is used from 2025-07-01 — see "Changes".
  • Number and type of questions are not stated on the official page.
Source [10]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels3
Proof 1: civic integration exam at A2

The IND says: "you must pass the civic integration exam at language level A2." The table above shows the DUO A2 exams (Wi2013); which parts the IND requires is not confirmed in our sources.[1]

Proof 2: Staatsexamen NT2 programme I or II

The IND also accepts the "Dutch as a Second Language State Exam (NT2), programme I or II". Programme I is level B1, programme II is level B2 — both above the A2 requirement.[1]

Proof 3: inburgeringsdiploma A2 or higher

An inburgeringsdiploma (civic integration diploma) at A2 or higher, under the Wi2013 or the Wi2021, is also accepted.[2]

Registration1
Registering for the A2 exams and KNM

Register in Mijn Inburgering with DigiD. It can take 6 weeks or more before you can take the exam. You get written confirmation 1 week before the exam. You can change or cancel up to 1 week before.[13]

Costs & payment1
Fees for the A2 route

Each exam costs €50 (Lezen, Luisteren, Schrijven, Spreken, KNM).[11]

Good to know2
Legal basis

The A2 level is set in article 5 of the Besluit naturalisatietoets (version in force: 2022-05-26). A higher level would need a change to this Besluit.[3]

NT2 results do not expire

Staatsexamen NT2 certificates and diplomas are valid indefinitely. A result you get now stays valid later.[12]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    Bring valid ID

    For DUO exams (A2, KNM) you need valid ID, such as a Dutch passport, ID card, driving licence, EU/EEA document or a travel document for foreign nationals. Without ID you cannot take the exam and must register again. If you show false ID, DUO may call the police.[15]

  2. 2
    Exam content is confidential

    You may not take photos of the questions or copy them.[15]

Recent and planned changes

  1. PlannedAnnual report: work on B1 rules continues

    The 2025 annual report Asiel en migratie says: "Ook is gewerkt aan de regelgeving rondom het verhogen van het taalvereiste voor naturalisatie naar in beginsel B1." As of 2026-09-25 the B1 rule is not in force and there is no official date.[8]

  2. PlannedIND impact assessment (February 2026)

    Dated February 2026 (exact day not stated). The IND uitvoeringstoets mentions the draft Besluit naturalisatietoets raising the level "van ten minste A2 naar ten minste B1" as a separate proposal that is not final. The main bill assessed is the 5-to-10-year naturalisation period.[6]

  3. PlannedParliamentary paper: B1 needs thorough revision

    Kamerstuk 30573-237: the planned increase from A2 to B1 "requires a thorough revision"; the draft "will shortly be placed in public consultation". No date given.[5]

  4. ProposedProposal: naturalisation period from 5 to 10 years

    The cabinet wants to extend the naturalisation period from 5 to 10 years (internet consultation). This is a separate proposal from the B1 language rule. It is not in force and has no start date.[7]

  5. PlannedGovernment: draft B1 rule to consultation

    In answers to parliamentary questions, the government said the draft Besluit naturalisatietoets would probably go to (internet) consultation in the third quarter of 2025. After that: Raad van State advice, new approval, and entry into force at the earliest 4 weeks after publication in the Staatsblad. No date was given.[4]

  6. In forceNew KNM exam

    A renewed KNM exam is used from 2025-07-01. New content includes women's right to self-determination, the Holocaust, and that antisemitism and discrimination are forbidden. The focus moved from behaviour to knowledge. Old practice material may no longer match.[16]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of naturalisation?

Lezen (65 min) · Luisteren (45 min) · Schrijven (40 min) · Spreken (35 min) · KNM (45 min).

How much does naturalisation cost?

2026 IND fee: €1,139 single, €1,454 with partner, €168 per co-naturalising minor child. Fees change every 1 January. source

How do you apply for naturalisation?

No exam dates: you apply by appointment at your town hall; the IND decides. Requirements: usually 5 years of legal residence and a passed integration exam (A2 or higher). After approval you attend the naturalisation ceremony within 1 year. source

How long do you have to wait for naturalisation?

No live average is published; the IND reports that in 2025 all naturalisation decisions were made within the legal period. source

How long does a decision on naturalisation take?

Legal decision period: 12 months, which the IND may extend twice by 6 months. Nationality starts at the ceremony. source

What if your application for naturalisation is refused?

No separate test: your integration diploma is the proof. Proposed, not in force: 10 instead of 5 years of residence and B1 instead of A2 (no start date). source

Where do you apply for naturalisation?

Apply at the municipality where you are registered. source

Official sources

Checked on 2026-09-25. Rules change — the official page always wins.

  1. [1]
    Civic integration for naturalisation IND · page date 2026-09-01
  2. [2]
    Naturaliseren DUO (inburgeren.nl)
  3. [3]
    Besluit naturalisatietoets wetten.overheid.nl · page date 2022-05-26
  4. [4]
    Kamervragen 2025Z10597 — antwoord Tweede Kamer · page date 2025-07-04
  5. [5]
    Kamerstuk 30573-237 officielebekendmakingen.nl · page date 2025-10-01
  6. [6]
  7. [7]
  8. [8]
    Asiel en migratie — jaarverslag 2025 Rijksoverheid · page date 2026-05-20
  9. [9]
  10. [10]
    Inhoud kennisexamens DUO (inburgeren.nl)
  11. [11]
    Inburgeren betalen DUO (inburgeren.nl)
  12. [12]
    Uitslag via DUO CvTE (staatsexamensnt2.nl)
  13. [13]
    Aanmelden voor een examen DUO (inburgeren.nl)
  14. [14]
    Uitslag DUO (inburgeren.nl)
  15. [15]
    Regels voor het examen DUO (inburgeren.nl)
  16. [16]
  17. [17]
    Examen doen DUO (inburgeren.nl)

Prepare with this in mind

Exam tips from EUpassway · editorial, not official rules

1Check ind.nl right before you apply

A move to B1 is being prepared but has no date. Rules can change between now and your application, so check the IND page on civic integration for naturalisation just before you apply.

2Already have a diploma? Check it first

If you already have an inburgeringsdiploma at A2 or higher (Wi2013 or Wi2021) or an NT2 programme I or II result, it is on the IND list of accepted proof. Look it up before you book new exams.

3A consideration: NT2 if you can reach B1

NT2 programme I is at B1 level, the IND accepts it today, and NT2 certificates never expire. If B1 is within reach, this may be worth considering. Note: how a future B1 rule will treat existing proof is not yet known — this is not a guarantee.

4A2 writing is on paper

The A2 Schrijven exam is paper and pen: 4 tasks in 40 minutes, such as short letters and forms. Practise writing by hand and filling in forms within a time limit.

5Use the new KNM practice exams

The KNM exam changed on 2025-07-01. Practise with material for the new exam; older practice questions may not match.

6Plan for waiting times

For DUO A2 exams and KNM, it can take 6 weeks or more from registration to exam, and up to 8 weeks for the result letter. Build this into your naturalisation planning.

Exam training videosPlaylists for this levelOpen Exam vocabularyWord lists with audioOpen Official documentsSample exams, rules, word listsOpen

Study guides

Compiled with AI assistance from official pages (DUO, CvTE, IND and other official sources) · not yet reviewed by a teacher · the official page always wins