If you are learning Dutch in the Netherlands, you have probably come across two official exams: the Inburgeringsexamen and the Staatsexamen NT2. They sound similar, both are organised by the Dutch government, and both prove your Dutch level. Yet they serve very different purposes, and choosing the wrong one can cost you months of study time.
This guide explains the difference in plain language, and gives you a simple way to decide which exam you actually need.
The short answer
In one sentence: choose the Inburgeringsexamen if your goal is to integrate, stay, and become Dutch (residency and citizenship), and choose the Staatsexamen NT2 if your goal is to study or build a career in a Dutch-speaking environment.
Good to know: the Staatsexamen NT2 is at a higher level than the inburgering language exam. If you pass NT2, it replaces the language part of your inburgering requirement.
What is the Inburgeringsexamen?
The Inburgeringsexamen (the civic integration exam) is designed to show that you can function independently in Dutch society. It is organised by Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO) and tests two things:
- Your Dutch language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking)
- Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM), covering daily life, healthcare, education, and work culture
The language level is A2 for people who became integration-obligated under the old law (Wet inburgering 2013). For most people who became obligated from 2022 onwards under the new law (Wet inburgering 2021), the level is B1.
This is the exam you need if you are legally required to integrate, and it is the route towards permanent residency and Dutch citizenship.
What is the Staatsexamen NT2?
The Staatsexamen NT2 (Nederlands als tweede taal, or Dutch as a second language) is a pure language exam at a higher level. It does not include a Knowledge of Dutch Society part. It comes in two programmes:
- Programma I tests Dutch at B1 level, aimed at practical or vocational (MBO) study and work
- Programma II tests Dutch at B2 level, aimed at higher education (HBO and university) and professional, Dutch-speaking jobs
This is the exam you need if you want to study at a Dutch institution or work in a role where strong professional Dutch is required.
Inburgeringsexamen vs Staatsexamen NT2: side by side
| Inburgeringsexamen | Staatsexamen NT2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Integration, residency, citizenship | Study and career in Dutch |
| Language level | A2 (B1 for most people from 2022) | Programma I: B1 / Programma II: B2 |
| Includes KNM? | Yes (Knowledge of Dutch Society) | No, language only |
| Best for | Settling in the Netherlands long term | University, HBO, MBO, professional work |
| Organised by | DUO | DUO |
Which exam do you need? A simple decision guide
Match your situation to the right exam:
- You are legally required to integrate. You need the Inburgeringsexamen. Check your letter from DUO for your personal deadline and level.
- Your goal is permanent residency or Dutch citizenship. You need the Inburgeringsexamen (A2, rising to B1 for applications from 1 July 2026). Passing the Staatsexamen NT2 also counts.
- You want to study at a university or university of applied sciences. You usually need the Staatsexamen NT2, Programma II (B2).
- You want to follow an MBO programme. Programma I (B1) is often enough, but check your school's requirements.
- You want a career in a Dutch-speaking workplace. The Staatsexamen NT2 is the recognised proof of professional Dutch.
Important: the 2026 B1 change
The required level for integration is moving up. For applications submitted from 1 July 2026, the language level for citizenship rises from A2 to B1. B1 takes roughly twice the study time of A2, so if this affects you, it is worth starting sooner rather than later. We cover this in detail in our guide on the Dutch integration exam and how to pass it faster.
Because the levels now overlap (inburgering at B1 and NT2 Programma I also at B1), more learners are choosing to aim straight for the Staatsexamen NT2. It is a stronger, more widely recognised certificate, and it covers your integration language requirement at the same time.
Still not sure which exam fits you?
The right choice depends on your residency status, your deadline, and where you want to be in a few years. The good news is that the path to either exam is the same: structured Dutch lessons with plenty of speaking practice. Our Inburgering exam preparation and private Dutch lessons are built to take you to exactly the level you need, at your own pace.
Not sure where to start? Book a free intake call. We will check your current level, clarify which exam you actually need, and map out the fastest route to passing it.
This article is general guidance and not legal advice. Always confirm your personal obligations and deadlines with DUO and the IND.