You opened your letter from DUO, saw the word "inburgering" and a deadline, and now you are stuck on one question: do you need A2 or B1? It matters more than it sounds. Aim too low and you can fall short of what your route actually requires. Aim too high without a reason and you can spend months on a level nobody asked you to reach. We prepare expats for both, and the confusion that walks into our first lesson is almost always the same, so this guide is built to end it.
Below you will find, in plain language, exactly which level applies to your situation in 2026, how A2 and B1 really differ in daily life, what the levels mean for Dutch citizenship and permanent residence, how long each one takes, and when it is smart to aim higher than the rules demand. We will also be clear about one thing throughout: what is an official requirement, what is practical advice, and what is our opinion as teachers.
Quick answer. Your required inburgering level depends on when you became obligated to integrate, not on how confident you feel. Obligated before 1 January 2022 (old law): A2. Obligated from 1 January 2022 (new law): the default is the B1-route, so B1. For Dutch citizenship (naturalisation) the level is still A2 in 2026. A rise to B1 is planned and moving through the legislative process, but it is not law yet.
Which level do you need? A one-look table
Find the row that matches your situation. Then read the section below it for the detail, because a few of these have exceptions.
| Your situation | Level you need in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Became inburgeringsplichtig before 1 Jan 2022 (old law, Wet inburgering 2013) | A2 |
| Became inburgeringsplichtig from 1 Jan 2022 (new law), standard B1-route | B1 |
| New law, education route (onderwijsroute) | B1 or higher, aimed at study |
| New law, self-reliance route (Z-route) | No fixed CEFR pass level; focus on hours and participation |
| Integrating voluntarily, only to qualify for permanent residence or citizenship | A2 |
| Applying for Dutch citizenship (naturalisation) | A2 (B1 proposed, not yet in force) |
| Applying for a permanent residence permit | A2 |
Not sure which row is you? The wording on the DUO letter trips people up constantly, and one word ("plichtig", the route name, the law year) decides everything. Book a free 15-minute intake call and we will read your letter with you, confirm your level, and map the shortest path to it.
What A2 and B1 actually mean in real Dutch life
A2 and B1 are levels from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the European scale that describes language ability. The important thing to understand is that CEFR describes what you can do with the language, not how many words you have memorised. You can know a thousand words and still be stuck at A2 if you cannot use them in a real conversation, and that gap is exactly what the levels measure.
At A2, you handle basic, predictable Dutch. You understand short, simple texts, you ask and answer questions on familiar topics, and you get through routine situations: the supermarket, a short form at the gemeente, a doctor asking where it hurts. Sentences are short. The topics do not surprise you. If the other person speaks slowly and sticks to the everyday, you cope.
At B1, you become independent. You can follow a normal conversation at normal speed, explain and defend an opinion, write a clear message about something that matters to you, and grasp the main points when a colleague explains a task or a teacher explains a rule. You do not understand every word, but you understand enough to keep going without switching to English.
Here is the honest part teachers say over and over: the step from A2 to B1 is the single biggest jump in everyday Dutch. A2 is a set of memorised situations. B1 is the moment Dutch stops being a list of phrases and starts being a language you can improvise in. That is why it takes noticeably more time, and why students who assume "it is just one level up" are surprised.
| Real situation | At A2 | At B1 |
|---|---|---|
| At the doctor | You describe a symptom in short sentences | You explain how it started, what you tried, and ask follow-up questions |
| At work | You understand a simple instruction given slowly | You follow a normal team conversation and give your view |
| Reading | A short notice or a simple letter | A news article or a letter from an institution, main points clear |
| A disagreement | You struggle and often switch to English | You stay in Dutch and explain why you see it differently |
How CEFR maps to A1, A2, B1, B2 and the Staatsexamen NT2
People searching "what CEFR level is inburgering" often get lost because two different naming systems are in play: the European letters (A1 to C2) and the Dutch exam names (Inburgeringsexamen, Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I and II). They are not competing scales. The Dutch exams are simply built on top of the CEFR levels. Here is how they line up.
| CEFR level | In plain terms | Which Dutch exam sits here |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Absolute basics: greetings, single words, very short sentences | A stepping stone only, not a full exam target |
| A2 | Basic everyday Dutch in predictable situations | Old-law inburgering, citizenship, permanent residence |
| B1 | Independent Dutch: normal conversation, opinions, main points | New-law B1-route, Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I |
| B2 | Confident Dutch for higher study and professional work | Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II |
The short version: the Inburgeringsexamen tops out at A2 (old law) or B1 (new law B1-route). The Staatsexamen NT2 starts where inburgering ends, with Programma I at B1 (aimed at vocational level, MBO, and many jobs) and Programma II at B2 (aimed at higher education, HBO and university, and professional roles). If you want the full comparison, see our guides on the Staatsexamen NT2 versus the Inburgeringsexamen and on choosing NT2 Programma I or II.
How to self-assess your Dutch level before choosing a target
Before you decide whether to aim for A2 or B1, it helps to know roughly where you stand today. This is not an official placement (only a real intake test does that), but it is a fast, honest gut-check you can do in five minutes. Read each statement and be strict with yourself, because a certificate measures what you can actually do, not what you almost manage.
You are probably around A1 if: you recognise common words and can say your name, where you live, and a few set phrases, but a normal sentence spoken at natural speed loses you completely.
You are probably around A2 if: you can do a supermarket exchange, fill in a short form, and answer simple questions about yourself, your family, and your day, as long as the other person speaks slowly and stays on familiar ground. The moment the topic shifts or the pace picks up, you reach for English.
You are probably around B1 if: you can follow most of a normal conversation, explain why you think something, understand the gist of a letter from an institution, and keep a discussion going in Dutch even when you do not know every word. You make mistakes, but you do not stop.
Two practical tips. First, test your listening and speaking honestly, not your reading, because reading always feels easier and flatters your real level. Second, if two of the descriptions feel half true, assume the lower one is your working level, since exams reward the skill you can produce under pressure, not the one you can produce on a good day. If you want certainty, a proper intake removes the guesswork in one session.
Want your real level in writing? A free 15-minute intake call gives you an honest read of where you are now and how far it is to A2 or B1, so you set a target based on facts rather than a hunch.
What changes at B1 versus A2, skill by skill
"One level higher" hides how differently each of the four skills grows between A2 and B1. Here is what actually shifts in each, so you know where the extra months of study really go.
- Reading (lezen). At A2 you handle short, practical texts: a notice, a simple letter, a menu. At B1 you read a straightforward news article or an official letter and pull out the main points, even when a few words are new.
- Listening (luisteren). A2 listening survives only when speech is slow and clear. At B1 you follow normal-speed standard Dutch on familiar topics, including a phone call or a colleague explaining a task, without needing everything repeated.
- Speaking (spreken). This is where the biggest jump lives. A2 speaking is a set of rehearsed situations. B1 speaking is improvised: you give an opinion, describe an experience, and handle a small disagreement without switching to English. Most people underestimate this step, and it is where exam points are won or lost.
- Writing (schrijven). At A2 you write short, factual messages and fill in forms. At B1 you write a clear, connected message about something that matters to you, such as a complaint or an explanation, with linking words that hold the text together.
Notice the pattern: reading and listening tend to climb first, while speaking and writing lag, because producing Dutch is harder than understanding it. That is exactly why we push active output from the first lesson rather than saving it for later.
Which inburgering route are you on?
If you became obligated to integrate from 1 January 2022, you fall under the Wet inburgering 2021, and your municipality (gemeente) sets you on one of three learning routes after an intake. The route decides your target level.
- The B1-route is the default and the most common. You work towards B1 in all four skills: reading (lezen), writing (schrijven), listening (luisteren), and speaking (spreken).
- The education route (onderwijsroute) is aimed at younger newcomers who want to study in the Netherlands. It works towards a language level high enough to enter Dutch education, which is often B1 or above.
- The self-reliance route (Z-route, zelfredzaamheidsroute) is for people for whom B1 is genuinely not realistic within the deadline. It focuses on a set number of hours and on practical participation rather than on passing at a fixed CEFR level.
If you became obligated under the old law (before 2022, Wet inburgering 2013), you are not in this route system at all. Your inburgering language level is A2, and your exam covers reading, writing, listening, speaking, and Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM), plus the labour-market part. If you are unsure which parts still apply to you, our complete guide to the inburgering exam in 2026 and our overview of the Dutch integration exam break down every component.
A common misunderstanding we correct in the first lesson: the B1-route is not pass-B1-or-fail-forever. If B1 turns out to be genuinely beyond reach despite real effort and enough hours, DUO and your municipality can look at your situation, and a lower outcome, an extension, or an exemption may be possible. The key word is early. Your options are far wider when there is still time left on your deadline than when you contact them in the final month. We have seen the difference that timing makes, and it is large.
Can you switch route or level with your gemeente?
Yes, in defined situations, and this reassures a lot of people who feel locked into a target that no longer fits. Under the Wet inburgering 2021, your route is not carved in stone the day your municipality sets your Personal Plan (the PIP, Persoonlijk plan Inburgering en Participatie).
- Switching between routes. Changing to a different learning route is generally possible up to around 1.5 years after your integration period starts. The onderwijsroute is more flexible, because moving from it to the B1-route or Z-route can happen throughout the period.
- Scaling down within the B1-route. If B1 proves genuinely out of reach, it is possible under certain conditions to "scale down" (afschalen) and sit exams at A2 instead, while staying in the same route. Scaling down from the Z-route or onderwijsroute does not work the same way.
- How it happens. Any change means your PIP is amended and the change is reported to DUO. It is a decision made with your municipality and DUO, not something you switch on your own, and conditions apply.
The lesson we repeat: raise it early. These options are far easier to arrange while time remains on your deadline than in the final months. If your target feels wrong, book a call and bring your PIP, and speak to your gemeente in parallel. To see how the level fits into the wider exam, our complete guide to the inburgering exam maps every component.
A2 or B1 for Dutch citizenship (naturalisation) in 2026
This is where expats worry most, usually because of a headline or an older article. So let us separate what is true now from what is only planned.
Official requirement right now: to apply for Dutch citizenship through naturalisation, the language level is A2 in 2026. If you already passed the inburgering exam at A2, that requirement is met.
What is planned: the government intends to raise the naturalisation language requirement to B1. This is not new talk; it has been on the table since around 2018. As of 2026 it has moved further than before. It is part of a bill to amend the Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap, and the IND published an implementation assessment (uitvoeringstoets) in February 2026. An implementation assessment is a step that happens before a law comes into force, not after. Alongside it, a separate proposal would extend the residence period before you can naturalise from five years to ten, and parliament has debated exceptions and tailored solutions (maatwerk) for people who struggle to reach the higher level.
The bottom line, stated plainly: as of July 2026, A2 is still the level for citizenship, and the ten-year rule is not in force either. Both are proposals moving through the process. They are real and worth planning around, but they are not the rule today. Ignore any source that tells you B1 for citizenship "started on 1 July 2026". That specific date circulated widely and was traced back to a rumour, not to a law.
Two practical takeaways follow, and here we are giving our advice as teachers, not a legal ruling:
- If you are close to A2 and already eligible to apply, it can be wise to move. The requirement that exists when you submit is what counts, and the direction of travel is clearly towards stricter, not looser.
- If citizenship is still a year or more away, seriously consider aiming for B1 anyway. If B1 becomes the rule, you are already there. If it does not, a B1 certificate still opens doors A2 never will. Either way you do not lose. This is the single most common piece of forward-looking advice we give right now.
Because these rules can change while you are studying, always confirm your personal situation with the IND and DUO before you apply. Our deeper article on the Dutch language level for citizenship in 2026 tracks this in more detail.
A2 or B1 for permanent residence?
For a permanent residence permit, the standard language requirement is A2, the same as for citizenship in 2026. So if your goal is a permanent permit rather than a passport, A2 currently gets you there.
The strategic point is the same as above. Many people get a permanent permit first and apply for citizenship later. If that is your plan, reaching only A2 now can mean sitting a second, higher exam later if the B1 proposal lands. Reaching B1 once can save you from studying for the same skill twice. Whether that is worth it depends on your timeline and your energy, which is exactly the kind of decision a free intake is for.
What level do highly skilled migrants and knowledge migrants need?
If you are in the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant), an EU Blue Card holder, a scientific researcher, or on a similar work permit, there is an important twist. During your temporary stay you are usually not obligated to integrate, so DUO does not send you a letter with a deadline and a route. That is why so many knowledge migrants assume the language question does not apply to them.
Here is the catch, and it surprises people at exactly the wrong moment. Being exempt from the obligation is not the same as being exempt from the requirement when you later apply for permanent residence or citizenship. At that stage the IND still expects proof of Dutch at the required level, which is A2 in 2026 for both permanent residence and naturalisation. In other words, DUO will not chase you, but the IND will still ask for the certificate when you want a permanent permit or a passport. Always confirm your own case with the IND, because exemptions and equivalents depend on your exact permit.
This is a big reason many highly skilled migrants aim higher than A2 voluntarily. Their work is often in English, but daily life, meetings, school for the children, and long-term plans are easier in Dutch, and if the B1 citizenship plan lands, reaching B1 now avoids a second exam later. When your career is not the pressure point, learning Dutch well becomes an investment rather than a box to tick, and B1 or even the Staatsexamen NT2 starts to make sense. Our guide to the citizenship language requirement goes deeper on the timing.
A2 versus B1: how much extra study time?
The honest answer is that B1 usually takes roughly twice the study time of A2. If a motivated beginner reaches A2 in about 3 to 4 months of weekly lessons plus daily self-study, B1 is often closer to 6 to 9 months, and sometimes longer. Language institutions commonly estimate a few hundred guided-study hours to move from a standing start to B1, with A2 sitting near the halfway mark. These are general estimates, not a promise about you.
| A2 | B1 | |
|---|---|---|
| What you can do | Basic everyday situations | Independent conversation and opinions |
| Typical use | Old-law inburgering, citizenship, permanent residence | New-law B1-route, work, study, future-proofing citizenship |
| Rough time from beginner | About 3 to 4 months | About 6 to 9 months |
| What makes it hard | Getting started, sounds and word order | Speaking freely and understanding fast, unscripted Dutch |
What actually moves these numbers? Three things, in our experience, far more than talent: consistency (short daily practice beats a weekly marathon every single time), how much Dutch you use outside lessons (learners who refuse to switch to English progress visibly faster), and whether your other languages help (German and, to a lesser extent, English speakers often reach A2 quicker, then hit the same B1 speaking wall as everyone else).
Should you aim higher than the rules require?
You are always allowed to sit the exam at a higher level than your obligation. The question is whether you should. Here is the framework we use with students.
Aim for exactly your required level (usually A2) if: your deadline is tight, your only goal is to meet the obligation, and Dutch is not central to your daily work or study. There is no shame in passing efficiently and getting on with your life.
Aim for B1 or the Staatsexamen NT2 (which is B1 or B2) if: you plan to work in a Dutch-speaking environment, you want to study here, you are heading towards citizenship and want to future-proof against the B1 plan, or you simply want to actually live in Dutch rather than survive in it. A higher certificate covers the lower requirement automatically, so you are not choosing between them; B1 satisfies an A2 obligation too.
If you are weighing the inburgering exam against a stronger certificate, our guide on the Staatsexamen NT2 versus the Inburgeringsexamen explains exactly when aiming higher pays off, and our breakdown of NT2 Programma I or II helps if you have already decided to go beyond B1.
Common myths and mistakes about A2 and B1
These are the misconceptions we correct most often. Getting them wrong costs students real time and money.
- Myth: "B1 is just one small step above A2." It is the biggest step in everyday Dutch. Plan for it as a jump, not a nudge.
- Myth: "The inburgering exam and the naturalisation requirement are the same thing." They overlap but are not identical. Passing inburgering at A2 currently covers the A2 citizenship requirement, but if B1 becomes the citizenship rule, an old A2 inburgering diploma may no longer be enough for a passport.
- Myth: "If I am on the B1-route and cannot reach B1, I fail permanently." Not so. Contact DUO and your municipality early and other outcomes are possible.
- Mistake: guessing your level from how you feel. Your obligation and level are written on your DUO letter and in Mijn Inburgering. Feelings are not the requirement.
- Mistake: studying vocabulary lists and skipping speaking. A2 and B1 are both measured by what you can do. Passive word-hoarding does not move the needle on the speaking and listening parts, which are where most people lose points.
- Mistake: waiting for the rules to "settle" before starting. The rules trend stricter over time. Waiting rarely makes the requirement easier; it usually just shortens your runway.
What if you miss your deadline or cannot reach your level?
First, do not treat the deadline as a cliff you discover at the last moment. Under the 2021 law, if you have made a genuine effort and completed enough hours but B1 is still out of reach, the system has room for a lower outcome or an extension in defined circumstances. Under the old law, exemptions and extensions also exist for specific situations, for example a medical reason (a medische ontheffing) confirmed by an approved assessment.
What all of these have in common is that they are decided by DUO and your municipality, not by us, and that they are far easier to arrange while time remains. If you sense you are behind, the single best move is to raise it early rather than hope the last weeks go perfectly. We build catch-up plans around exactly this situation, but the paperwork side belongs with DUO and the gemeente, so contact them in parallel.
How to find out your exact level
Do not guess, and do not rely on a forum. Your obligation, your route, and your deadline are set by DUO and they are written down. To confirm your level:
- Read the official letter from DUO that states whether you are obligated and under which law.
- Log in to Mijn Inburgering on the official inburgeren.nl website to see your route and deadline in black and white.
- If anything is unclear, contact DUO directly, and if you fall under the 2021 law, your municipality can explain your route.
How to reach your level faster
Whether your target is A2 or B1, the method that works is the same, and it is not complicated. Speak from the first lesson, because the speaking and listening parts are where exams are won or lost. Study a little every day rather than a lot once a week. Use materials that match the real exam instead of a generic textbook, so nothing on exam day is a surprise. And get a teacher who hears your exact mistakes and corrects them on the spot, because a mistake repeated for three months is much harder to unlearn than one caught in week one.
That is exactly how our inburgering exam preparation and private Dutch lessons are built. We assess your current level, set the right target for your actual obligation and goals, and take you there with heavy speaking practice and real exam materials. If cost is part of your decision, our breakdown of what a Dutch course costs in 2026 lays out the options honestly.
Frequently asked questions about the inburgering level
Is the inburgering exam at A2 or B1 level? It depends on when you became obligated. Before 1 January 2022 (old law) the level is A2. From 2022 onwards (Wet inburgering 2021) the default is the B1-route, so B1, unless your municipality placed you on the onderwijsroute or the Z-route.
What Dutch level do I need for naturalisation in 2026? Still A2. A rise to B1 is planned and moving through the legislative process (an IND implementation assessment appeared in February 2026), but it is not yet in force. Confirm the current rule with the IND before you apply.
Is B1 for citizenship really starting on 1 July 2026? No. That date circulated online but traces back to a rumour rather than a law. As of July 2026 the citizenship language level is A2, and no confirmed start date for B1 exists.
What is the difference between A2 and B1 Dutch? A2 is basic, everyday Dutch in short, predictable sentences. B1 is independent Dutch: you hold normal conversations, give opinions, and understand clear standard speech at normal speed. B1 takes roughly twice the study time.
Can I take the inburgering exam at B1 if I only need A2? Yes. You may always sit a higher level than your obligation, and a B1 certificate satisfies an A2 requirement automatically. Many learners aim for B1 or the Staatsexamen NT2 for exactly this reason.
What level do I need for permanent residence? A2 in 2026, the same as for citizenship. If you may apply for citizenship later, reaching B1 now can save you from a second, higher exam if the B1 plan comes into force.
How long does it take to reach A2 or B1? From a beginner, A2 takes about 3 to 4 months with weekly lessons and daily practice. B1 usually takes roughly twice as long, because the A2-to-B1 jump is the biggest step in everyday Dutch.
What happens if I cannot reach B1 by my deadline? You do not automatically fail forever. DUO and your municipality can consider a lower outcome, an extension, or an exemption in defined situations. Raise it early, while time remains on your deadline, because that is when your options are widest.
Does DUO pay for my Dutch course? It depends on your status. Under the 2021 law, municipalities generally arrange and fund the integration course for asylum status holders (statushouders). Other obligated integrators, such as many family migrants, usually arrange their own course and may be eligible for a DUO loan up to a set amount, which can be waived if you pass in time. Because the rules and amounts change, confirm your own situation with DUO.
What if I already speak good German or English? It helps, but less than people hope. German speakers often reach A2 faster because the vocabulary and grammar overlap, and English speakers get a head start on shared words. Both groups still hit the same B1 speaking and listening wall as everyone else, because understanding fast, unscripted Dutch is a skill no other language hands you for free.
Is A2 Dutch enough to work in the Netherlands? For some jobs, yes, especially international, English-speaking, or practical roles. For most Dutch-speaking workplaces, meetings, customers, and written communication, A2 quickly feels limiting, and B1 is where you can genuinely take part. If work is your goal, aiming for B1 or the Staatsexamen NT2 usually pays off.
How do I know whether I passed at A2 or B1? Your certificate states the level of each exam part. Under the new law your target is set in your Personal Plan (PIP), and your results in Mijn Inburgering show which level you passed. If you scaled down from B1 to A2, your certificate reflects the A2 level you actually achieved.
Can I change my route or level after I start? Yes, within limits. You can generally switch route up to about 1.5 years after your integration period starts, and under conditions you can scale down within the B1-route to A2 exams. Any change is made with your municipality and DUO and updated in your PIP, so raise it early.
This article is general guidance and not legal advice. Integration and citizenship rules can change, and some changes described here are proposals that are not yet in force. Always confirm your personal level, route, and deadline with DUO and the IND before making decisions.