Integration

Are you new to the Netherlands? You may have to integrate. You will then learn about life in the Netherlands. You will also learn Dutch. The municipality will help you with this.

Call: 045-5604090

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Note

The rules below apply as of Jan. 1, 2022. Did you start civic integration before Jan. 1, 2022? Then different rules apply to you.

Approach

Integration is as follows:

You will receive an invitation to the broad intake from the municipality.
The municipality will create a Personal Plan for Integration and Participation (PIP) for you.
The municipality is watching how your integration is going. Keep your appointments.
At the end, you take an exam. Or you will have a final interview with the municipality.

Cost

You pay for the civic integration course and exam yourself. Look for the costs on Inburgeren.nl. Can't pay for the course and exam? You can borrow money from DUO.

Are you a refugee and have a residence permit? Then the municipality pays for your lessons. The municipality also pays for the first 2 attempts for each exam.

Description

Do you have to integrate? Then you will receive a letter from the Education Executive Agency (DUO). You will also receive an invitation from the municipality for a broad intake. The broad intake consists of:

a test to determine what you can already do
a conversation about your situation

The municipality then makes a plan that tells you how to integrate. This is called the personal plan for integration and participation (PIP). It states:

which classes you will take
what help you can get
How you conclude the civic integration. This goes with an exam or a closing interview.

Are you going to integrate? Then you must also sign the participation statement. The participation statement explains how we want to treat each other in the Netherlands. Read more about the participation statement on DUO.nl.

You can also integrate voluntarily. For example, if you want to become a Dutch citizen. Read more about voluntary integration on IND.nl.

The integration exam consists of:

The subjects of reading, listening, writing and speaking at language level B1
Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM). Here you will learn about Dutch customs, history and culture. For example, you will learn who runs the country. You will also learn how people in the Netherlands treat each other and situations. For example: what should you do when you are sick? What do you do with your garbage?
Module Labor Market and Participation (MAP).You go to group meetings at the municipality. In these meetings you will learn about working in the Netherlands. You will learn what types of professions there are and what you have to be able to do in the Netherlands. You will also learn how to apply for a job in the Netherlands. For example, by writing a letter and going for an interview. The goal is that you will soon be able to find a job on your own.
Participation Statement. You attend a two-day workshop at the municipality. Here you will learn about the Dutch core values. For example, equality, freedom, solidarity and participation in society. Afterwards you will sign the participation statement.

The congregation also provides workshops. Together with you, we agree on which workshops you will attend.

Terms

You do not need to become a citizen in the following situations:

You have a Dutch passport.
You are from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
You are under 18 or old enough to retire.
You have lived in the Netherlands for 8 years or more when you were subject to compulsory education.
You are coming to the Netherlands temporarily to study or work.

Are you required to citizenship but are unable to? You may not be required to citizenship in the following situations:

You have a serious illness or disability.
Personal circumstances make it difficult for you to become a citizen.

Do you already know the Dutch language and culture? In the following situations, you may not need to integrate:

You speak the Dutch language well.
You have been living in the Netherlands for 10 years or more.
You have been working in the Netherlands or volunteering here for 5 years or more.
You are taking a course in the Netherlands or you have graduated from a Dutch course. Read more about this on Inburgeren.nl.

Term

You must become integrated within 3 years. This 3-year period starts when your PIP is established. You can sometimes get an extension. For example, if there is a waiting list at the civic school, or if you are ill. Read more about extending the term on Inburgeren.nl.