Most people who start inburgering today do it at level B1. A2 is the level under the old 2013 law. It is also an option on one specific route. So whether you need A2 or B1 is not really your choice. It depends on when you became integration-obligated and on the route your gemeente set for you.
This article explains how the level is decided, what the real difference between A2 and B1 is, and how to find out which one applies to you.
Is the inburgering exam A2 or B1?
It depends on which law you fall under. Under the current law, the Wet inburgering 2021, B1 is the standard level. Under the old law, the Wet inburgering 2013, the level is A2.
The dividing line is the date. According to Rijksoverheid, the 2021 law applies to everyone who became integration-obligated on or after 1 January 2022. If that is you, your starting point is B1. If you were obligated before then, you fall under the old law and the A2 inburgeringsexamen. Your A2 result stays valid.
The A2 exam is the inburgeringsexamen. B1 and B2 are tested in a different exam: the Staatsexamen NT2, the state exam for Dutch as a second language. DUO runs this exam too. You register for it in Mijn DUO, not in Mijn Inburgering. It is not simply a harder version of the A2 exam.
The difference between A2 and B1, in practice
A2 and B1 test the same four skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking. But B1 expects you to use Dutch more on your own, and the exams are longer and harder. The exam times show the gap most clearly. The times below come from DUO.
| A2 (old law, Z-route option) | B1 (current standard) | |
|---|---|---|
| Exam name | Inburgeringsexamen | Staatsexamen NT2 |
| What the level means | Basic, everyday Dutch | Independent, fuller Dutch |
| Reading | 65 min | 110 min |
| Listening | 45 min | 90 min |
| Writing | 40 min | 100 min |
| Speaking | 35 min | about 30 min |
There is a reason the B1 exams take longer. A B1 text has more information in fewer words. A B1 writing task expects more than a short note. So at B1 each skill takes more time and asks for more Dutch. Because these are two different exams, we have an inburgering A2 course and a separate inburgering B1 course.
How is your level decided?
Your gemeente decides. You cannot choose freely. Under the Wet inburgering 2021 the gemeente first has an intake interview with you. It then sets your route in a personal plan: the Plan Inburgering en Participatie (PIP). Your level depends on which of the three routes you get.
- B1-route. The standard route. You work toward level B1.
- Onderwijsroute. Mainly for young people who want to go on to study in the Netherlands. The aim is B1 or higher.
- Z-route. For people who cannot reach B1. You learn at a lower level. You may take A2 exams, but you do not have to.
So the honest answer to "should I do A2 or B1" is usually "look at what was decided for you". Mijn Inburgering shows the exams and the level set for you. Your PIP states your route. If it is unclear, ask your contact person at the gemeente.
Should you aim higher than you have to?
Sometimes, but first know what it takes. A higher level gives you more options. Many employers and study programmes ask for at least B1. For Dutch citizenship you need at least A2, according to the IND. A higher level counts too. If you want to work or study in Dutch, reaching B1 is almost always worth it.
But B1 asks a lot more than A2. The exams are longer, the language is harder, and getting there takes more time. Maybe you fall under the old law and only need A2. Then B1 is a lot of extra work. For some people that is worth it and for others it is not. Before you decide, look honestly at your deadline and your current level. Once you know your level, our guide on how to prepare for the inburgering exam helps you make a full plan.
Not sure how close you are to your level? The quickest way to find out is a practice exam at that level. Our inburgering practice exam uses the same task types as DUO. That way you see where you stand before you start preparing.
The short version
Did you become integration-obligated in 2022 or later? Then your standard level is B1, set by your gemeente through your route. If you fall under the old law, your level is A2. For naturalisation, A2 is the minimum and a higher level also counts. Before you worry about which level is harder, find out which one is yours in Mijn Inburgering or in your PIP. Then you can prepare for the right exam from the start. Our inburgering course covers both levels.