Civic integration exam (language level A1 and A2)

What is the civic integration exam?

The civic integration exam (inburgeringsexamen) is the exam you need to pass to officially “integrate” in the Netherlands. Actually, the integration exam consists of two parts; the civic integration exam abroad (basisexamen inburgering eigen land) which has to be done in your own country. And the civic integration exam (inburgeringsexamen), which has to be done in the Netherlands.

1. Civic integration exam abroad (language level A1):

The ‘civic integration exam abroad’ is the exam you have to pass before you come to the Netherlands (if you want to stay longer than 3 months). This exam is obligated for everyone from 18 to 65 years old, but there are exeptions for certain nationalities and situations. You can check out more information about this here.

The ‘civic integration exam abroad’ will be held in your country on the Dutch embassy or on the Consulate General. This means that you have to find out yourself what you exactly need to learn. Maybe there are Dutch classes in your neighbourhood, or perhaps you like to study by yourself. Of course you can also choose to take some online lessons from Leon with Skype . Leon knows exactly what you need to learn to pass your exam.

The exam consists of 3 parts;

1. Knowledge of Dutch society (kennis van de Nederlandse samenleving)
2. Speaking on A1 language level
3. Reading on A1 language level

www.naarnederland.nl is the official website of the Dutch government with information about the ‘civic integration exam abroad’.

2. Civic integration exam (language level A2)

The ‘civic integration exam’ (without the abroad in the title) will be held in the Netherlands. The purpose of this exam is to let you ‘integrate’ in to Dutch society. Having your “inburgeringsdiploma” will give you the right to stay, conditionally, in the Netherlands. The main goal of the exam is to let you know how to “survive” in the Netherlands. You will learn about Dutch culture and society, and you will learn the Dutch language on A2 language level. This level is high enough to let you talk daily life conversations on a basic level.

The civic integration exam consists, since 2015, of the following parts;

1. Reading (A2 language level)
2. Listening (A2 language level)
3. Speaking (A2 language level)
4. Writing (A2 language level)
5. Knowledge of Dutch soceity (Kennis Nederlandse Maatschappij, or KNM)
6. Orientation on the Dutch labour market (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt)

What can I do with my civic integration diploma?

The civic integration diploma is obligated if you want to live in the Netherlands for longer than 3 months, for example for family reunification or if you want to marry someone from the Netherlands. You also need to pass your civic integration exam if you want to get the Dutch nationality.

Normally you need to pass the exam within 3 years. If you are not able to make it you will risk a fine or there will be consequences for your staying permit. So it is good to start learning on time.

What else do I need to know?

If you were obligated to integrate (inburgeringsplichtig) for Dutch law before the 1st of January 2015, than the ‘civic integration exam consists’ of five different parts;

1. Writing
2. Reading
3. Listening
4. Speaking
5. Knowledge of Dutch Society (Kennis Nederlandse Maatschappij)

If you are obligated to integrate for Dutch law after the 1st of January 2015, than the exam consists of six different parts;

1. Writing
2. Reading
3. Listening
4. Speaking
5. Knowlegde of Dutch Society (Kennis Nederlandse Maatschappij)
   
6. Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt)

For every part there is one exam. After you passed all your exams, you will get your civic integration diploma.

Do you want to sign up for an online course at Charpentier Dutch Language Training? Or do you just want some information about it? Don’t hesitate to fill in the form below and I will respond as fast as possible.