Inburgering exemptions and dispensation: when you take fewer or no exams

A Dutch-taught diploma, ten years here of which five working, serious illness, an NT2 certificate: when you take fewer inburgering exams or none at all — under the 2021 Act, the 2013 Act, and for naturalisation.

Updated November 3, 2026 · 5 min read

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Not everyone who must integrate takes every exam. DUO lists the situations on its fewer or no exams pages, and they differ between the 2021 Act (you arrived on or after 1 January 2022) and the 2013 Act (before). Naturalisation has its own list at the IND. Mijn Inburgering shows which exams apply to you — this guide explains why.

Two words to know. An exemption (vrijstelling) means you have shown you are already integrated — for example with a Dutch diploma. A dispensation (ontheffing) means you cannot pass the exam, for medical or other reasons (IND).

Under the 2021 Act

Your situation	What changes
A serious illness or disability	fewer exams, or none
An NT2 certificate or diploma that gives a partial exemption	fewer exams
A diploma obtained in the Netherlands — or from a programme taught in Dutch in Belgium or Suriname	no exams
At least 10 years living in the Netherlands, of which at least 5 working	no exams
You must integrate but cannot, because of exceptional circumstances	no exams (dispensation for exceptional individual circumstances, BIO)

Under the 2013 Act

Your situation	What changes
You worked in the Netherlands for at least 6 months during the past year	fewer exams
An NT2 diploma or certificate	fewer exams
At least 600 hours of a course	no exams
A serious illness or disability	no exams
At least 10 years living here, of which 5 working	no exams
A diploma obtained in the Netherlands, or a Dutch-taught diploma from Belgium or Suriname	no exams
Exceptional circumstances	no exams

Under both laws, once you reach the AOW (state pension) age you no longer need to integrate. But if you later want to naturalise, the municipality or the IND may still ask for your integration diploma — you can then integrate voluntarily (inburgeren.nl).

Ill or disabled but able to take the exam? DUO also offers an adjusted exam for illness or disability — ask about it before you apply for a full exemption (inburgeren.nl).

For naturalisation: the IND's list

To become Dutch you normally need the civic integration exam at A2 or higher — see Dutch for naturalisation. The IND exempts you if, among other things (IND):

you have a Staatsexamen NT2 diploma, programme I or II (which programme?);
you have a civic integration diploma under the 2013 or 2021 Act at A2 or above;
you have a Dutch diploma above primary level from a programme taught in Dutch;
you lived in the Netherlands for at least 8 years between the ages of 5 and 16;
you have a Dutch-taught Belgian or Surinamese diploma, with an apostille;
you hold a European Baccalaureate or an International Baccalaureate / IGCSE with Dutch passed (the IND lists the exact conditions).

A dispensation is possible if you cannot pass for medical or other reasons. And if you qualify for the option procedure — a quicker route the municipality assesses — you need no integration exam at all.

If you do take the exams

Most people take at least some exams. The guides to each part: reading, listening, writing, speaking and KNM. Before you book, take our free level test to see where you stand, and read how to register.

The words of exemption letters are worth knowing in Dutch: de vrijstelling (exemption), de ontheffing (dispensation), het besluit (decision), aanvragen (to apply for), [aanmelden](/conjugation/dutch/aanmelden) (to register), [invullen](/conjugation/dutch/invullen) (to fill in), [sturen](/conjugation/dutch/sturen) (to send), [ontvangen](/conjugation/dutch/ontvangen) (to receive), [wachten](/conjugation/dutch/wachten) (to wait), [betalen](/conjugation/dutch/betalen) (to pay).

Exempt or not, Dutch is the point

16Word's inburgering path drills the words of work, housing, health and the municipality, 16 at a time, with a game of Blocks between answers. Free to start.

Keep learning

All our Dutch exam guides

Frequently asked questions

Who is exempt from the inburgering exam?

Under the 2021 Act, among others: people with a diploma obtained in the Netherlands or a Dutch-taught diploma from Belgium or Suriname, people who have lived here 10 years and worked 5, and people with a serious illness or disability. Mijn Inburgering shows which exams apply to you.

What is the difference between an exemption and a dispensation?

An exemption (vrijstelling) is granted when you show you are already integrated, for example with a Dutch diploma. A dispensation (ontheffing) is granted when you cannot pass the exam for medical or other reasons.

Does an NT2 diploma exempt me from the integration exams?

It gives a partial exemption for the language part of inburgering, and for naturalisation the IND accepts an NT2 diploma (programme I or II) instead of the civic integration exam.

Do I still need to integrate after I reach pension age?

No: once you receive AOW you no longer need to integrate. But if you later want to naturalise, you may still be asked for the integration diploma.

Is there an adjusted exam for people with a disability?

Yes. DUO offers an adjusted exam in case of illness or disability; ask about it on inburgeren.nl.

Do I need the integration exam for the option procedure?

No. If you meet the conditions of the option procedure, which the municipality assesses, you do not need the civic integration exam.