Most people who start inburgering today do it at level B1. A2 is the level under the old 2013 law, and an option on one specific route. So whether you need A2 or B1 is not really a choice you make. It depends on when you became integration-obligated and the route your gemeente set for you.
This guide explains how the level is decided, the real difference between A2 and B1, 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 from 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.
One more thing worth naming early. The A2 exam is the inburgeringsexamen. The B1 and B2 exams are a different exam, the Dutch as a second language state exam, or Staatsexamen NT2. They are run by DUO too, but they are not the same test at a higher setting.
The difference between A2 and B1, in practice
A2 and B1 test the same four skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking. But B1 asks for more independent Dutch and gives you longer, harder exams. The clearest way to see the gap is the exam itself. The times below come from DUO.
| A2 (old law, Z-route option) | B1 (current standard) | |
|---|---|---|
| Exam name | Inburgeringsexamen | Staatsexamen NT2 |
| What B1 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 |
The longer times are not padding. A B1 text is denser, and a B1 writing task expects more than a short note. So the same four skills cost you more time and more language at B1. We run a focused inburgering A2 course and a separate inburgering B1 course, because the two really are different exams to prepare for.
How is your level decided?
Your gemeente decides, you do not pick freely. Under the Wet inburgering 2021 the municipality holds a broad intake and sets your learning route in a personal plan, the Plan Inburgering en Participatie, or PIP. There are three routes, and the level follows the route.
- B1-route. The standard route. You work toward level B1.
- Onderwijsroute. Mainly for younger people heading into Dutch study. The aim is B1 or higher.
- Z-route. For people for whom B1 is genuinely out of reach. You learn at a lower level and may take A2 exams, but that is optional.
So the honest answer to "should I do A2 or B1" is usually "look at what was decided for you". You can see the exams and level set for you in Mijn Inburgering, and your PIP states your route. If it is unclear, your gemeente contact is the person who set it.
Should you aim higher than you have to?
Sometimes, but go in with open eyes. A higher level opens more doors. B1 is the minimum many employers and study programmes look for, and it counts toward naturalisation. For Dutch citizenship you need at least A2, according to the IND, so a higher level always counts for more. If your plan is to work or study in Dutch, reaching B1 is rarely wasted effort.
But B1 is a real step up, not a formality. The exams are longer, the language is more demanding, and getting there takes more time. If you fall under the old law and A2 is all that is required of you, moving up to B1 is a genuine project, worth it for some people and not for others. Be honest about your deadline and your starting point before you decide. If you want a fuller plan once you know your level, we wrote a guide on how to prepare for the inburgering exam.
Not sure how far off you are? The quickest way to find out is to sit a real practice run at your level. You can do that with our inburgering practice exam, which mirrors the DUO task types, so you see where you actually stand before you commit to a level.
The short version
If you became integration-obligated from 2022, your standard level is B1, set through your route by your gemeente. If you fall under the old law, it is A2. A2 stays the minimum for naturalisation, and a higher level always counts for more. Before you worry about which is harder, find out which one is actually yours, in Mijn Inburgering or your PIP. Then you can prepare for the right exam from the start.