Overview

The Inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) is mandatory for foreign nationals who want to obtain permanent residency or Dutch citizenship. KNM (Kennis Nederlandse Maatschappij) is the "Knowledge of Dutch Society" component, which tests practical knowledge about daily life, public institutions, and social norms in the Netherlands. KNM is just one part of the full exam — to receive the diploma, you must pass every component. Since 1 July 2025 there is a new KNM exam: it tests knowledge rather than behaviour, adds topics such as the Holocaust and antisemitism, women's right to self-determination and digital skills, and uses photos instead of introductory videos.

Eligibility

(As of 2026; under the Wet inburgering 2021 integration act)

• The integration exam is mandatory when applying for permanent residency or Dutch citizenship
• All components must usually be passed within 3 years of arrival
• The new integration act (for those obligated from 2022 onward) requires B1 in some learning tracks
• For naturalisation the language requirement is still A2 (the integration exam) or NT2 B1/B2; raising it to B1 has been proposed but is not in force

Exemptions for naturalisation (IND's official grounds):

• A Dutch diploma above primary level (programme taught in Dutch), the NT2 diploma (programme I or II), or a civic integration diploma at A2 or higher
• Certain Dutch-language diplomas from Belgium or Suriname, or a European/International Baccalaureate in Dutch
• At least 8 years living in the Netherlands while of school age (5–16)
• Medical exemption: you cannot pass because of a physical, mental or intellectual disability (assessed by e.g. Argonaut or DUO)
• Nationality and age are not exemption grounds for naturalisation
• Residence permits only (not naturalisation): EU/EEA and Swiss citizens and people above state pension (AOW) age are not obliged to integrate

Confirm exemption eligibility directly with DUO or IND.

Format

The integration exam consists of 5 exams — 4 Dutch-language exams and KNM — each scheduled, taken, and passed separately. If you fall under the older Wi2013 rules (obligated before 2022), ONA is also required.

• KNM (society knowledge): 40 questions, 45 minutes, on computer. The official pass mark is not published; this app's practice exams use 28/40 (70%) as an estimate
• Four Dutch-language components: Reading (Lezen), Writing (Schrijven), Listening (Luisteren), Speaking (Spreken)
• ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt), Wi2013 only: a 64-hour ONA course, or a final interview (eindgesprek) plus a portfolio

KNM is administered in Dutch only. You cannot take all components on the same day.

Fees

(As of 2026; subject to annual changes)

• Exam fee: €50 per exam component, paid separately for each one
• Wi2021: 5 exams (4 language exams + KNM) = €250 in total; Wi2013: the same 5 exams plus ONA (€40) = €290
• Citizenship application (naturalisatie): €1,139 for a single adult (2026)
• Permanent-residency application (verblijfsvergunning onbepaalde tijd): €254 (2026)
• Exam fees are separate from application fees — passing the exam does not waive the residency or citizenship application fee.

How to register

1. Sign in with DigiD at Mijn Inburgering or Mijn DUO
2. Pick the component, test center, and date
3. Pay the per-component fee
4. Bring valid ID to the DUO test center on the day

Each component is booked and paid for separately.

Retakes

• You only retake components you failed; passed components remain valid
• Each retake incurs the per-component fee again
• There is no cap on retake attempts, but every component must be passed within the integration deadline (typically 3 years)
• Missing the deadline may trigger a fine and can affect your residence status

After passing

1. Once every component is passed, DUO issues the Inburgeringsdiploma
2. You can then apply for permanent residency (verblijfsvergunning voor onbepaalde tijd) or Dutch citizenship (Nederlanderschap)
3. Citizenship applications are submitted through your local municipality (gemeente) and reviewed by IND
4. If approved, you take an oath of allegiance (verklaring van verbondenheid) at a ceremony before the mayor or a deputy

Official resources

• DUO integration portal: inburgeren.nl
• Official practice exams: inburgeren.nl/examen-doen/oefenen.jsp
• Registration and scheduling: duo.nl
• Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND): ind.nl
• KNM exam content (new exam since 1 July 2025): inburgeren.nl/examen-doen/inhoud-kennisexamens.jsp
• IND application fees: ind.nl/en/fees-costs-of-an-application

Things to watch for

• Failing to pass within the deadline (typically 3 years) can lead to fines or affect your residence status
• You cannot take all five components on the same day, so plan the schedule carefully
• If you fall under Wi2013, ONA means a 64-hour ONA course or a final interview plus a portfolio — budget time for it on top of the exams
• Exemptions and the integration track depend on your arrival date and status — check with DUO directly
• Questions in this app are original, written from the official KNM exam content (new exam since 1 July 2025) and practice materials; the real question bank and the pass mark are not published

FAQ

Is passing KNM alone enough? No. KNM is only one of the exams. To receive the diploma you must pass all four language exams (reading, writing, listening, speaking) and KNM, plus ONA if you fall under the Wi2013 rules.

Is the exam in Dutch only? Yes. KNM and the four language components are all administered in Dutch.

If I fail one component, do I have to redo everything? No. You only retake the component you failed. Components you have already passed remain valid.

Are citizens of some countries exempt from the integration exam? For naturalisation, no: nationality is not an exemption ground, so you need the exam unless you have a qualifying diploma, lived in the Netherlands for 8 years of school age (5–16) or have a medical exemption. For residence permits, the integration obligation depends on your nationality, status and arrival date — confirm with DUO or IND.