You have lived here for years. You know your neighbourhood, your GP, and which supermarket queue moves fastest. You have built a life. And now the only thing standing between you and a Dutch passport is paperwork, and one wall in that paperwork is taller than the rest: the language requirement. For most people, this is exactly where the process stalls.
The confusion is understandable. You will read A2 in one place and B1 in another, hear that the level is about to rise, and find advice that was true three years ago but is not true now. This guide clears it up. It explains the level you actually need in 2026, how to prove it, why the A2 and B1 numbers keep colliding, what is really happening with the proposed rise to B1, and the fastest honest route to your certificate.
The short answer
For naturalisation in 2026 you must prove Dutch at A2 level, normally by passing the inburgering exam. Passing the Staatsexamen NT2 (Programma I at B1 or Programma II at B2) also satisfies it, because both sit above A2. A rise to B1 has been proposed and is moving through the legislative process, but it is not in force and does not apply to applications today. Confirm your personal situation with the IND before you apply.
That is the whole answer in a nutshell. Everything below is the detail behind it: how the two routes differ, every accepted way to prove your level, why A2 and B1 keep getting mixed up, the real status of the B1 bill, when you can skip the exam, and how long it realistically takes to get there from scratch.
Naturalisation vs permanent residency: know which one you want
People often use these two words as if they mean the same thing. They do not. They are two different routes with two different outcomes, and choosing the wrong target wastes months.
- Naturalisation makes you a Dutch citizen. You get a passport, the right to vote in national elections, EU citizenship, and the security that you can never lose your right to live here.
- Permanent residency (a permanent or long-term EU residence permit) gives you the right to stay indefinitely and drops the renewal treadmill, but you keep your current nationality and do not get a Dutch passport.
Both routes ask you to prove your Dutch and, for most people, to show knowledge of Dutch society, and both have a minimum period you must have lived in the Netherlands before you can apply. The exact residence duration differs between the two routes and can depend on your personal circumstances (your permit type, your partner's nationality, time spent abroad), so we will not quote a fixed number of years here. The IND decides which route you qualify for and when. Check the current requirements for your situation on ind.nl rather than relying on what a friend went through a few years ago.
The good news for language planning is that the core requirement is shared: whichever route you take, in 2026 you will need to demonstrate Dutch at A2. So the study plan is the same. Only the residence rules and the application forms differ. Pick your target early, because it changes which IND form you file and which deadline you are working towards, not how you study the language.
How you prove your Dutch: the accepted routes
You do not simply tell the IND that your Dutch is good enough. You prove it with a recognised result on paper. There are a few accepted routes, and they sit at different CEFR levels. CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference, the A1 to C2 scale every one of these exams is measured against.
| Route | What it proves | CEFR level | Covers A2 citizenship rule? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inburgeringsexamen | Language plus knowledge of Dutch society, the standard route to citizenship | A2, or B1 for most people obligated to integrate from 2022 | Yes |
| Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I | A pure language certificate aimed at vocational work and daily life | B1 | Yes (above A2) |
| Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II | A pure language certificate aimed at higher study and professional work | B2 | Yes (above A2) |
| Dutch diploma | Prior Dutch-language education (for example a Dutch secondary or MBO/HBO/WO diploma) the authorities accept as proof | Varies, assessed case by case | Sometimes, needs approval |
| Exemption or ontheffing | A formal release from the language requirement on recognised grounds | Not applicable | Only if granted in writing |
Most people going for citizenship take the inburgering route, and we walk through the whole thing in our complete inburgering guide. If you are weighing inburgering against the tougher, more widely recognised state language exam, our comparison of Staatsexamen NT2 vs the inburgeringsexamen explains which one fits which goal. The key thing to hold onto: both NT2 programmes sit above A2, so either one already covers your citizenship language requirement. You do not need to pass a separate A2 exam on top of an NT2 certificate.
The A2 or B1 confusion, cleared up
This is the section that matters most, because this is where almost everyone gets tripped up. A2 and B1 are two different things that happen to share the same numbering system, and people mix them together constantly, including some well-meaning people online who are describing a rule that does not apply to the reader.
Here is the clean version. A2 is what naturalisation requires today. If your goal is the passport in 2026, A2 is the language level the IND asks for. Separately, B1 is what most people who became obligated to integrate from 2022 onwards must reach for their inburgering under the Wet inburgering 2021. That B1 belongs to the integration obligation on the default B1-route, not to the citizenship rule.
It helps to see the whole map, because your integration obligation depends on when it started:
- Obligated under the old law (before 1 January 2022): your inburgering level is A2.
- Obligated under the Wet inburgering 2021 (from 1 January 2022): the default B1-route targets B1; the onderwijsroute aims higher for study; the Z-route focuses on participation for people for whom exams are not realistic. The gemeente (your municipality) helps set your route, and DUO administers it.
- Voluntary integrators who are not legally obligated but need a result for permanent residence or citizenship: A2.
So you can have a neighbour who is working towards B1 and you can be working towards A2, and you can both be completely right. They are aiming at their integration obligation under the 2021 law; you are aiming at the citizenship requirement, or you fall under the old law. Two different things that share numbers. Which one applies to you depends on when you became obligated and what you are actually trying to achieve. We break this down properly in our dedicated post on whether you need inburgering at A2 or B1 level. When in doubt, the IND and DUO tell you which level binds you, in writing, for your specific case.
The proposed rise to B1: what is actually happening
You have probably heard that citizenship is "moving to B1". Let us be precise, because precision here saves you from panic-studying for a level you may not need.
As of July 2026, the naturalisation language level is still A2. A rise to B1 exists as a bill that would amend the Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap (the Kingdom Act on Dutch nationality). A bill is a proposal. It is not law until it is passed and enters into force, and this one has not. In February 2026 the IND published an uitvoeringstoets, an implementation assessment that examines whether and how the service could actually carry out the change. An uitvoeringstoets is a step that happens before a law is enacted, not proof that it has been. Because this is a Kingdom Act, the other countries of the Kingdom have to be consulted as well, which adds time.
Two more things are often bundled into the same rumour, and both are also just proposals right now, not law:
- A separate plan would extend the naturalisation residence period from five to ten years. Proposed, consulted on, not in force.
- There is ongoing debate about maatwerk (tailored exceptions) and hardship provisions for people who cannot reasonably reach a higher level. Still being discussed.
To be blunt about one specific claim we get asked about a lot: "B1 for citizenship started on 1 July 2026" is not true. It is a debunked rumour. The level on 1 July 2026 was, and is, A2. If any of this changes, the IND website will say so before a rumour does, so check ind.nl for your application date.
Our teaching opinion, clearly labelled as opinion and not law: rules can change while you are studying, and the direction of travel over the last decade has been upward. If your timeline allows it, quietly building towards B1 is the safest hedge, even though A2 is all that is legally required today. More on that decision below.
KNM and the participation requirement
Passing a language exam is not the whole story. The inburgering route also asks you to show that you understand how the country works and that you are taking part in society. The Knowledge of Dutch Society exam, known as KNM, covers everyday life: healthcare, work culture, education, housing, and how to deal with Dutch institutions. Alongside it sits a participation element (such as the PVT, Participatieverklaringstraject) that expects you to engage with life here rather than simply pass tests. We explain what to expect and how to prepare in our guide to the KNM exam. Treat it as a real part of the process, not an afterthought, because a strong language result does not carry you past a missing KNM.
Exemptions: when you can skip the exam (and why nothing is automatic)
Not everyone has to sit the inburgering exam. There are recognised grounds for skipping part or all of it, but every one of them has to be applied for and evidenced. Common examples include:
- A recognised Dutch diploma from prior education in the Netherlands or the Dutch-language education system.
- A passed Staatsexamen NT2 certificate, which proves your Dutch above the citizenship minimum.
- A medical exemption for people who genuinely cannot sit the exam for health reasons, supported by an assessment.
- An ontheffing, a formal exemption granted in specific personal circumstances, sometimes after a documented, sustained effort to integrate.
The single most important sentence in this whole section: none of these is automatic. Each requires an application with supporting evidence, and the IND and DUO decide whether it is granted. We regularly meet learners who assumed an old diploma or a health condition meant they were "obviously exempt", stopped preparing, and then lost months when the exemption was refused or the paperwork was not accepted. Get the exemption confirmed in writing first, then plan around it. Until you hold that confirmation, keep studying as if you will sit the exam.
Should you aim higher than A2 anyway? A decision framework
Here is honest advice rather than a sales pitch. A2 gets you the passport. It clears the citizenship bar and it is a genuine achievement. But whether you should stop there depends on your situation. Use this framework:
- Aim for A2 if your deadline is tight, the passport is the only goal, you fall under the old-law A2 obligation, or exams are a real source of stress and you want the cleanest path over the line.
- Aim for B1 if you have time before you apply, you want or need Dutch-speaking work, you plan to study here, or you want a buffer against a future rule change.
Three concrete reasons B1 is often the better bet when the timeline allows it:
- B1 gets you the job. A2 is enough to function; B1 is where you start to compete for Dutch-speaking roles and hold your own in meetings.
- B1 gets you the friendships. The difference between surviving a conversation and actually enjoying one tends to live in that gap between A2 and B1.
- B1 future-proofs you. The proposed rise to B1 is not law in 2026, but if it ever arrives, you will already be there and you will not have to come back and retake anything.
None of this means A2 is the wrong target. If your deadline is tight and the passport is the priority, aim for A2, pass, and build from there. Just go in with your eyes open about what each level buys you.
Myths and mistakes we see every week
These are the patterns that cost real learners real time. If you recognise yourself in one, you are not alone, and it is fixable.
- "Citizenship needs B1 now." No. It needs A2 in 2026. The B1 you heard about is either the 2021 inburgering obligation or a proposed law that is not in force.
- "My old A2 diploma is worthless because everything is B1 now." A valid A2 result that satisfies your specific obligation is accepted for naturalisation. You do not automatically have to redo it at B1.
- "I passed NT2, so I still need to take the A2 inburgering exam too." NT2 sits above A2. A passed NT2 certificate covers the language requirement; you do not stack an A2 exam on top of it.
- "I am obviously exempt, so I can stop studying." Nothing is automatic. Until the exemption is confirmed in writing, prepare as if you are sitting the exam.
- "I will just grind grammar until I am ready." The most common self-study trap. The exam and real life both test speaking, and silent grammar study leaves that muscle weak. Speak from week one.
- "Passing the language exam is the whole thing." KNM and the participation requirement are separate boxes that also have to be ticked.
How long does it take to reach A2 from zero?
The honest answer is that it depends, and anyone who gives you a single tidy number is guessing. Three things drive your timeline: where you are starting from, how many contact hours you put in, and whether you actually speak Dutch or only study it silently.
As a rough guide, most learners starting from little or no Dutch need in the region of a few hundred hours of guided study to reach A2 with confidence, spread over months rather than weeks. People who already speak a related language such as German or English, or who are surrounded by Dutch at home or work, tend to move faster. People who study grammar diligently but never open their mouths tend to move slower, because speaking is where the exam and real life both test you. Going from A2 to B1 takes meaningfully longer again: it is a real step up, not a small polish. These are approximate ranges to plan around, not promises, and your own pace is the only one that counts.
The fastest honest route to your certificate
If you have a deadline and self-fund your lessons, the fastest route is structured study with plenty of speaking, not another shelf of grammar books. Our inburgering exam training is built to take you to the level the exam demands, and our intensive course compresses that progress when the clock is against you. You can start today with our free practice materials, then talk it through on a free intake call so we can map the shortest realistic path to your certificate for your exact deadline and starting point.
The option procedure (optieprocedure): a faster route for some people
Naturalisation is the route most people know about, but it is not the only way to become Dutch. There is a second, quicker route called the option procedure (optieprocedure), and if you qualify for it, it can save you a lot of time, money, and preparation. The catch is that it is only open to specific groups of people. You cannot simply choose it because it is easier.
The option procedure is a simplified confirmation of Dutch nationality rather than a full application that the IND assesses from scratch. In many cases it is handled by your gemeente (municipality) rather than the IND, it is decided in a matter of months rather than up to a year, and it often does not require you to pass the inburgering exam at all. That is the headline difference: where naturalisation asks you to prove your Dutch and your knowledge of Dutch society, several option categories waive that language and integration requirement entirely because eligibility is based on your personal history instead.
Broadly, the option route is aimed at people with a strong, defined connection to the Netherlands. Recognised categories generally include (this is a summary, not the full legal list):
- People who were born in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and have lived here since birth.
- Certain people who have held a valid residence permit and have lived here legally for a long, continuous period, for example someone who has been a lawful resident for at least fifteen years.
- Some older long-term residents, for example people aged 65 or over who have lived here lawfully for a set number of years.
- Certain former Dutch nationals, and children who acquire Dutch nationality alongside a parent.
Because the option categories are precise and depend on dates, permit types, and your personal history, do not assume you qualify from a summary like this one. The exact conditions, and the current fee, are set out on ind.nl and confirmed by your gemeente. If there is any chance you fall into an option category, it is worth checking before you commit months to inburgering preparation, because for the right person the option procedure is genuinely the shorter path. For everyone else, naturalisation with an A2 language result remains the standard route, and that is who the rest of this guide is written for.
The other conditions for naturalisation, beyond the language
Language is the wall most people focus on, but it is not the only condition. For naturalisation the IND looks at your whole situation, and a perfect exam result does not help if another box is unticked. Described in general terms, and always subject to confirmation with the IND for your own case, the main conditions usually include the following.
- A qualifying period of residence. You normally need to have lived in the Netherlands legally and continuously for a set number of years before you can apply. Five years is the usual figure, and shorter periods can apply in some situations, for example when you are married to or in a registered partnership with a Dutch national. Long trips abroad can interrupt the count.
- A valid residence permit. You generally need lawful residence with a valid, non-temporary permit at the time you apply and while the IND decides. A residence permit for a temporary purpose does not usually count towards naturalisation in the same way.
- Proof of your Dutch and knowledge of society. This is the A2 language requirement and, for most people, the inburgering result or an accepted alternative such as Staatsexamen NT2, as covered above.
- No recent serious criminal issues. Recent convictions, certain fines, or an ongoing criminal case can lead to a refusal. There is a look-back period, and the IND weighs how recent and how serious the matter is.
- Willingness to give up your other nationality where required, and to attend the naturalisation ceremony. Both are covered in their own sections below.
None of these should be treated as a checklist you can self-certify. The residence period in particular has real complexity around permit types, time spent outside the country, and partner situations, which is exactly why we do not quote a single fixed number of years anywhere in this guide. Confirm the full, current list of conditions for your circumstances with the IND before you file, and gather the documents early. It is common for the language result to be ready long before the paperwork proving residence and identity is in order.
Dual nationality and giving up your current passport
One question causes more worry than almost any other: "If I become Dutch, do I have to give up my current nationality?" The honest answer is that the Netherlands has a main rule and a set of important exceptions, and which applies to you can decide whether the whole idea is even attractive.
The main rule for naturalisation is that you are expected to renounce your current nationality (the afstandsverplichting, or renunciation requirement) once you become Dutch. In practice this means that after you receive the positive decision, you are usually given a period, often around a year, to take the steps to give up your original nationality and to show the IND proof that you have done so.
However, a large number of people are exempt from that renunciation requirement, which is why so many residents do in fact end up holding two passports. Recognised exceptions commonly include:
- You are married to or in a registered partnership with a Dutch national.
- You hold a residence permit granted on asylum grounds.
- You cannot renounce your nationality because the law of your country of origin does not allow it, or makes it practically impossible or unreasonable.
- You would lose significant rights (for example certain inheritance rights) by giving up your nationality, or renouncing would require you to complete military service.
- You were born in the Netherlands and live here, or you acquired Dutch nationality as a child.
The option procedure described earlier generally does not carry a renunciation requirement, which is another reason it is attractive for those who qualify. Dual-nationality rules are an area the government has repeatedly debated, so both the main rule and the exceptions can be adjusted over time. Do not make an irreversible decision about your original passport based on a blog post, ours included. Confirm whether the renunciation requirement applies to you, in writing, with the IND before you start, because for many nationalities the answer is that you keep both.
What naturalisation costs
Becoming Dutch is not free, and the fee (the naturalisatiegeld) is a government charge you pay to your gemeente when you apply, separate from the cost of any language course or exam. The amount depends on your situation. A single adult applicant pays one rate; a married couple or registered partners applying together pay a joint rate; and there is a lower rate for a child who naturalises alongside a parent. The option procedure has its own, generally lower, fee.
These fees are set nationally and are reviewed periodically, so any figure printed in an article can be out of date by the time you read it. For that reason we deliberately do not quote a euro amount here. What matters for planning is the shape of it: the fee is a few hundred euros to over a thousand depending on whether you apply alone or with a partner, it is normally paid up front when you submit, and it is generally not refunded if your application is refused. That last point is one more reason to make sure every condition is genuinely met, and confirmed, before you file. Check the exact current fee for your situation with your gemeente or on ind.nl.
The naturalisation ceremony and the declaration of solidarity
Here is a step that surprises people: even after the IND approves your application, you are not Dutch yet. There is one final, mandatory act. You become a Dutch national only once you have attended the naturalisation ceremony (naturalisatieceremonie), organised by your municipality. Skipping it is not an option; if you do not attend within the set period after your positive decision, you do not acquire the nationality.
At the ceremony, everyone aged 16 or over makes the declaration of solidarity (verklaring van verbondenheid), a short spoken statement in which you promise to respect the rights and freedoms that come with being Dutch and to uphold the duties of citizenship. It is a formality rather than an exam, but it is a required one. After you have made the declaration, you receive confirmation of your Dutch nationality, and from that moment you can arrange a Dutch passport and identity card.
Practically, municipalities usually invite you to a ceremony some weeks after the positive decision, and ceremonies are often held as group events a few times a year, so there can be a wait for the next available date. Plan for a short gap between "approved" and "sworn in", and confirm your municipality's ceremony schedule and the exact deadline for attending with your gemeente.
How long naturalisation takes to be decided
Timelines are where a lot of anxiety lives, so let us be realistic rather than optimistic. Once you have filed a complete naturalisation application, the IND has a formal decision period, which is commonly cited as up to one year. Straightforward cases can be decided more quickly, and more complex ones, for example where documents need extra checking or a criminal-law question has to be assessed, can take longer, sometimes considerably. The option procedure is generally faster, often a few months, because it is a confirmation rather than a full assessment.
Two things add time on top of that official decision period, and people routinely forget them. First, everything before you file: reaching A2, passing the exam, and assembling documents that prove your identity and residence, which for many learners is the longest phase of all. Second, everything after a positive decision: waiting for a ceremony date, making the declaration of solidarity, and only then applying for the passport. Add those together and the realistic span from "I want to become Dutch" to "I am holding the passport" is measured in years, most of it spent on the language and the residence clock rather than on the IND's desk. These are general expectations, not a guarantee for your file, so check current processing times with the IND for your route.
Permanent residence: the same A2, a different set of proofs
We covered earlier that naturalisation and permanent residence share the A2 language level in 2026, so the studying is the same. It is worth adding a note on how the proof can differ, because this trips people up. For permanent residence, the accepted ways to demonstrate your Dutch, and the exact certificates the IND wants to see, are not always identical to the citizenship route, and the residence conditions differ too. A passed inburgering result or a Staatsexamen NT2 certificate is broadly the kind of evidence that satisfies the language element on either route, since both sit at or above A2, but the specific form you file and the supporting documents are route-specific.
The takeaway is reassuring for planning: aim for A2, prove it with a solid inburgering result or an NT2 certificate, and you have the language piece covered for both permanent residence and naturalisation. Then confirm with the IND exactly which certificate and which form your chosen route needs, because that is where the two paths quietly diverge. If you are still deciding between the exams themselves, our comparison of Staatsexamen NT2 vs the inburgeringsexamen and our breakdown of A2 or B1 for inburgering will help you choose the result that serves the most goals at once.
Frequently asked questions
What Dutch language level do I need for Dutch citizenship in 2026?
A2, normally proven by passing the inburgering exam. Passing the Staatsexamen NT2 (Programma I at B1 or Programma II at B2) also satisfies it because both sit above A2. Confirm your personal situation with the IND before you apply.
Is the citizenship language requirement changing to B1?
A rise from A2 to B1 is a proposed amendment to the Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap. It is not in force in 2026. The IND published an implementation assessment (uitvoeringstoets) in February 2026, which is a pre-enactment step, not the law taking effect. "B1 for citizenship started 1 July 2026" is a debunked rumour. Check ind.nl for the level that applies on your application date.
Is the naturalisation residence period going from five to ten years?
That is a separate proposal and, like the B1 change, is not law as of July 2026. Confirm the residence period for your situation with the IND.
Can I get Dutch citizenship without passing the inburgering exam?
Sometimes. A recognised Dutch diploma, a passed Staatsexamen NT2 certificate, a medical exemption, or an ontheffing may release you from part or all of it. Every exemption must be applied for and approved in writing by the IND or DUO. Never assume you are exempt.
Does Staatsexamen NT2 count for naturalisation?
Yes. Both Programma I (B1) and Programma II (B2) sit above the A2 language requirement, so passing either proves your Dutch for citizenship. You may still need to show knowledge of Dutch society separately, so confirm the full list of requirements with the IND.
Do naturalisation and permanent residency need the same language level?
In 2026 both require A2, so your study plan is the same. The residence periods and application forms differ, and the IND decides which route fits your circumstances.
This article is general guidance and not legal advice. Immigration rules, levels, and residence periods can change, and some proposals discussed above may become law after this was written. Always confirm your personal situation with the IND and DUO before making decisions.