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.

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

Possible exemptions:

• EU/EEA and Swiss citizens
• Citizens of certain countries including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea
• Age 65 or above
• Medical exemption (requires MOI assessment)
• 8+ years of formal schooling in the Netherlands, Belgium, or Suriname
• Holders of certain Dutch-language diplomas or the NT2 diploma

Confirm exemption eligibility directly with DUO or IND.

Format

The integration exam has 5 components, each scheduled, taken, and passed separately.

• KNM (society knowledge): 45 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes, pass at 27/45 (60%), computer-based
• Four Dutch-language components: Reading (Lezen), Writing (Schrijven), Listening (Luisteren), Speaking (Spreken)
• ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt): 16-hour labor-market workshop plus a portfolio assessment

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

Fees

(As of 2026; subject to annual changes)

• Per-component exam fee: roughly €40, paid separately for each component
• All five components combined: around €290 in total (language components and ONA range €40–€50 each)
• Citizenship application (naturalisatie): about €1,091 for adults (2024)
• Permanent-residency application (verblijfsvergunning onbepaalde tijd): about €228 (2024, standard track)
• 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/oefenexamens.jsp
• Registration and scheduling: duo.nl
• Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND): ind.nl

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
• ONA includes a 16-hour workshop 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 based on DUO's published practice exams and the integration curriculum; the real active question bank is not public

FAQ

Is passing KNM alone enough? No. KNM is only one of the components. To receive the diploma you must pass all four language components (reading, writing, listening, speaking), KNM, and ONA.

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.

Do South Korean (or similar) citizens still have to take the integration exam? Some nationalities may be exempt depending on residence status and arrival date. Confirm with DUO or IND for your specific case.