Naturalisation and the language requirement — what to know
2 min read
Read this first. This page explains how the language requirement for naturalisation works. What applies in your case depends on your personal situation and on when you submit your application. Always confirm it at the official source. This is not legal advice.
Anyone applying for Dutch nationality must, among other things, demonstrate command of Dutch. A passed language exam plays a part in that — which is why many people sit their integration exam with naturalisation already in mind.
Why we do not state a level here
It would be easy to put one letter and one number on this page. We deliberately do not.
The language requirement for naturalisation is subject to political discussion, and proposals to raise it have been under consideration. A level that is correct today may be different next year — and you might not apply for another two years.
What you read online (including on forums and in older articles) often describes the situation of a few years ago. Do not assume it still holds. Check what applies at the moment you apply.
What this means for your preparation
There is one decision you can act on now: do not stop learning Dutch the moment your integration exam is behind you.
Someone who passes at A2 and then does nothing for a few years starts over if a higher level is later required. Someone who keeps going — even gently — is in a completely different position. That advice is stable regardless of which way the rules move.
If you think you may need a higher level later, look at the Staatsexamen NT2: Programme I sits at B1, Programme II at B2.
Where to check
The IND handles applications for Dutch nationality. That is where you will find what you must demonstrate, which documents count, and which exemptions exist.
Your own integration details — which pathway applies to you, which exams you have passed — are in your personal file with the integration authority.
If you are unsure about your situation, ask an official body or a qualified adviser. One wrongly assumed rule can delay an application by months.
What to do next
- Read the difference between A2 and NT2
- See what the integration exam looks like
- Take a practice exam
Official sources: IND — becoming a Dutch citizen · inburgeren.nl.