Inburgering Oefenen
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Costs

What does inburgering cost?

It depends on your situation. For some people the municipality pays almost everything; others pay for the course and the exams themselves. Here is what goes where.

Marieke Schipper

Marieke Schipper

NT2 teacher · 20 August 2026 · 5 min read

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Part 1 / 6

Phase 1 · Orientate · Part 1 · 2 min

Is it free for me?

There are broadly two situations. Find yours.

You are an asylum status holder

Under the Wet inburgering 2021

Course

Your municipality usually pays for it.

Exams

The first 2 attempts at each compulsory exam are free.

Watch out

Those 2 free attempts lapse if you sit an exam at a lower level than your PIP states.

Borrowing from DUO

Not needed, and not possible.

You are another integrator

A family migrant, for example

Course

You usually pay for it yourself.

Exams

You pay yourself: at the time of writing €50 per part.

Watch out

If you do not turn up, you pay for the exam again.

Borrowing from DUO

Possible under conditions, for the course and the exams.

The first 2 attempts at each exam are free for asylum status holders — but not if you sit an exam at a lower level than your PIP states. If you need more than 2 attempts you pay for them yourself, and you cannot borrow from DUO for those.

Source: inburgeren.nl — Inburgeren betalen — accessed 20-08-2026

Frequently asked questions

What does the integration exam cost?

At the time of writing €50 per part — Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking and KNM — so €250 for all five. Under the 2013 act ONA is added at €40. The price is the same for A2 and B1 and is index-linked, so check it with DUO.

Is integration free for asylum status holders?

Largely. The municipality usually pays for the course, and the first 2 attempts at each compulsory exam are free. Those free attempts do lapse if you sit an exam at a lower level than your PIP states.

Can I borrow money for my integration?

Yes, under conditions, through Mijn Inburgering. The loan is for a course at a recognised school and for exams — not for a laptop, books or travel, and not for extra exam attempts. You do not receive the money yourself: DUO pays the school. Asylum status holders cannot borrow, because their municipality pays for their course.

Will I be fined if I do not integrate in time?

If you are an asylum status holder, no: on 9 July 2025 the Raad van State ruled that DUO may not fine you and may not reclaim your loan. Other integrators can be fined — a maximum of €1,000 for the learning route under the 2021 act, and €340 for PVT or MAP. You are then also given extra time.

Do I get my money back if I cannot attend the exam?

Yes, if you cancel or move your exam in Mijn Inburgering at least 7 days in advance. If it was a free attempt, that attempt stays. Cancel later or fail to turn up and you lose the exam fee.

Reviewed by Marieke Schipper, certified NT2 teacher — August 20, 2026 This page is a translation of that reviewed Dutch text; the translation itself was not reviewed. The Dutch version is the source.

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