Applying for exemption from civic integration when sufficiently integrated
Non-EU citizens who wish to live in the Netherlands for an extended period or permanently are obliged to complete the inburgeren (civic integration) process. Have you lived and worked in the Netherlands for a long time? Then you may be able to apply to be exempted from the civic integration requirement. This means that you do not have to take the civic integration exam. This is called ''vrijstelling wegens aantoonbaar voldoende ingeburgerd" (full exemption due to demonstrable integration).
Last updated on 21 November 2022
Lees deze informatie in het Nederlands
Requirements for exemption from the civic integration requirement
Do you want an exemption because you feel you are sufficiently integrated? Then you must prove that you:
- have lived in the Netherlands for 10 years or more; and
- have worked in the Netherlands for 5 years or more. Voluntary work also counts.
Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs – DUO (education implementation service) is responsible for granting exemptions.The conditions for being exempted from the civic integration requirement can be found on the DUO website.
You can also apply to be exempted if you have an education qualification attained in the Netherlands.
Applying for exemption from the civic integration requirement
You can contact DUO to apply for the exemption.
Laws and regulations (in Dutch)
Wet inburgering 2021, artikel 4
Besluit inburgering 2021, artikel 2.3