If you want to settle in the Netherlands with your spouse or partner, your journey usually starts with an exam: the civic integration exam abroad (inburgering), known in Dutch as the Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland. In this guide we bring together, in one place, what the exam is, who has to take it, which parts it has, how you register and, most importantly, how you should prepare.

In short: The exam has three parts: KNS (Knowledge of Dutch Society), Lezen (reading) and Spreken (speaking). The language level is A1, the beginner level. With the right plan, even someone starting from zero can be ready in a few months.

What is the Dutch civic integration exam?

The Netherlands asks certain immigrants to show, before they arrive, that they know basic Dutch and understand Dutch society. The exam used for this is called the Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland. In English it is usually known as the “Dutch civic integration exam abroad”, the “Dutch integration exam” or the “family reunification exam”.

The exam is part of the application for the MVV visa (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf), the provisional residence permit you need for a long stay in the Netherlands. Passing the exam does not give you a visa on its own; but for most applications it is a mandatory step.

Who has to take the exam?

The general rule is this: most people over 18 who come to the Netherlands for family reunification or family formation (to join a spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner) take this exam. People coming as religious leaders or religious workers are also subject to it.

Some groups are exempt. The main ones:

Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland,
Citizens of certain countries exempt by nationality (e.g. the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea),
Certain people who can prove they were educated in Dutch,
People with a documented mental or physical disability that permanently prevents them from taking the exam.

Important: Exemption rules can depend on your nationality, the purpose of your stay and your partner's situation. Always check your own case on IND and inburgeren.nl. This article gives general information; the official decision always lies with these institutions.

Which parts does the exam have?

The exam has three separate parts, and each is assessed separately:

Part	Dutch name	What does it measure?
KNS	Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving	Knowledge of Dutch society, culture, rules and everyday life
Lezen	Leesvaardigheid	Reading and understanding short, simple Dutch texts
Spreken	Spreekvaardigheid	Answering simple questions in spoken Dutch

KNS: Knowledge of Dutch Society

KNS asks questions about life in the Netherlands: working life, the healthcare system, education, housing, history, geography, the structure of government and social values. The official preparation material is the Naar Nederland package; it explains life in the Netherlands through a film and photos and is offered in many languages, including English. For detailed preparation, have a look at our KNS exam guide.

Lezen: reading

In the Lezen part you read short texts: an advertisement, an e-mail, a sign, a form or an announcement. Then you answer multiple-choice questions about the text. The texts are at A1 level; the real challenge is usually managing your time well. We explain this step by step in our Lezen tactics article.

Spreken: speaking

In the Spreken part the computer asks you questions in Dutch and you answer into the microphone. Your answers are recorded and assessed later. According to the official assessment model, each answer is scored on two criteria: relevance to the question and intelligible pronunciation. A single word is enough as an answer, and it does not have to be grammatically correct. For sample answers, see the Spreken exam guide.

What level is the exam? What does A1 mean?

The exam is at A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). A1 means being a basic user of a language:

You can introduce yourself (your name, where you are from, where you live),
You can ask and answer very simple questions about everyday life,
You can find basic information in short, simple texts (signs, advertisements, short messages).

So you are not expected to speak fluent Dutch. But do not forget that A1 is a real level too: without vocabulary and basic sentence patterns, the exam becomes hard.

Where and how is the exam taken?

The exam is taken on a computer at the Dutch embassy or consulate general in the country where you live (or, in some cases, in another country). The general process is this:

Prepare: Study the exam parts and the A1-level vocabulary.
Register and pay: You register for the exam on the official website and pay the exam fee.
Book an appointment: An exam date is set at the embassy or consulate.
Take the exam: You are there at the appointment time with your ID.
Get your result: Results are announced within a few weeks.
MVV application: After you pass, your partner or sponsor applies for the MVV from the Netherlands.

If you are wondering what awaits you on exam day, read our exam day guide.

Tip: The exam fee, registration steps and appointment waiting times change from time to time. For the figures, do not rely on other websites; go straight to inburgeren.nl.

What happens if I fail the exam?

Because the parts are assessed separately, you usually only need to retake the part you failed. For a retake you register again and pay the fee again. That is why being ready on the first attempt saves both time and money.

Also remember that your exam result is valid for the MVV application for a limited period. Do not delay the application for too long after passing; check the current validity period on the official source.

Does the exam end once I arrive in the Netherlands?

No. The basic exam abroad is the first step. After settling in the Netherlands, the civic integration obligation (inburgeringsplicht) in the Netherlands begins for most people. Under the new integration law in force since 2022 (Wet inburgering 2021), the target level in this process is B1 for most people, and the municipality (gemeente) plays an important part in the process.

So the foundation you build while preparing for the exam abroad is not lost; it will help you a great deal in the first months of your life in the Netherlands. For the first steps after arriving in the Netherlands, see our first 90 days guide.

How should you prepare for the exam?

What successful candidates have in common: regular, short and realistic study. Our advice:

Study every day: 45–60 minutes a day is far more effective than one long day a week.
Carry all three parts together: Do not leave KNS until the end; do not put off Spreken with “I'll speak later”.
Study out loud: Speaking does not improve by reading alone. Say your answers out loud, record yourself.
Do timed practice exams: Getting used to the time pressure of the real exam is very important.
Build vocabulary: For A1, the basic words of everyday life are enough, but you really need to know them.

If you want a ready-made program, you can follow our 30-day study plan.

Preparing with Dutch Daily Online

Dutch Daily Online was designed for exactly this process:

Practice exams: Timed practice exams in the real format for KNS, Lezen and Spreken; with explanations in English and detailed results.
Real exam simulation: All three parts back to back, in Dutch only and without help. A rehearsal of exam day.
All questions: The whole question bank, with answers.
Word games: Learn the 1000 most important words of everyday life with 6 different games, with audio.

Frequently asked questions

Do I take the exam in my own country?

Yes, the exam is taken at the Dutch embassy or consulate general in the country where you live. Check on the official website which missions hold the exam and what the appointment situation is.

I don't know any Dutch. How long will it take me to prepare?

It varies from person to person. For someone who studies regularly, going from zero to A1 usually takes 2–4 months. If you have learned another foreign language before (especially German), this can be shorter.

Is any English used in the exam?

No. The exam is in Dutch. Preparation materials may contain explanations in English, but the exam screens and the questions are in Dutch. That is why we show the screens in Dutch only in the real exam simulation.

Do I need to know Dutch for KNS?

KNS measures your knowledge of the Netherlands; but because the questions are in Dutch, you need to know the basic words. That is why learning the Dutch terms of each topic while studying KNS (e.g. gemeente, huisarts, huur) gives you a big advantage.

Does passing the exam mean I will get the visa?

No. The exam is one of the conditions of the MVV application. There are other conditions too, such as the income requirement, housing and documents, and IND assesses the application.

This article is for general information. Exam rules, fees and exemptions can change; for current and binding information, always follow inburgeren.nl and IND.