Applying for exemption from civic integration as a holder of Dutch qualifications

Are you a non-EU citizen and wish to live in the Netherlands for an extended period or permanently? Then you are obliged to become officially ingeburgerd (integrated). Do you hold qualifications attained in the Netherlands? Then you can be exempted from the inburgeringsplicht (civic integration obligation). You do not have to take the exam.

Last updated 1 January 2021

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Taking a mandatory civic integration exam or NT2 language exam

If you are going to live in the Netherlands for an extended period or permanently you must follow a civic integration programme. This means you must complete a course and then take an exam. This could be an integration exam or a state examination in Dutch as a second language (NT2).

Waiver for the inburgeringsplicht

Are you not eligible for an exemption from the inburgeringsplicht? You may qualify for a waiver.

Applying for an exemption from the inburgeringsplicht

On the inburgeren.nl website you can apply for an exemption from the inburgeringsplicht. This is a website set up by the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs – DUO (education implementation service).

Laws and regulations (in Dutch)

Wet inburgering 2021, artikel 4

Besluit inburgering 2021, hoofdstuk 2, afdeling 2

Regeling inburgering 2021, hoofdstuk 2, afdeling 1

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