Woman reading a municipal brochure about the participatieverklaringstraject, with a town hall in the background.

The Participatieverklaringstraject (PVT) at Your Municipality Explained

You got a letter from the municipality with the word participatieverklaringstraject in it, or you heard it from someone at language class. What exactly is that? The participatieverklaringstraject (PVT) is a mandatory part of your integration where you learn about Dutch values and norms, and how to take part in society. At the end you sign the participation statement. In this guide you will read exactly what it is, who has to do it, what it looks like in practice and what you need to arrange.

The PVT is not a language course and not an exam that you pass or fail. It is a track of a few meetings where you talk about topics like equality, freedom of speech, and how people treat each other in the Netherlands. Your municipality organises it, often together with a language school or a welfare organisation. It is part of the Wet inburgering 2021, so if you fall under that law, you will have to deal with it. Even if you have been in the Netherlands a bit longer, it can happen that you still need to do it.

In this guide we take you through everything you need to know: from the first invitation to signing the statement. You get concrete example sentences, a step-by-step plan and a checklist. You do not need to be an expert. If you know what is expected of you, it is less stressful. We also point you to the right organisations for the most up-to-date rules, because they can differ from one municipality to another.

What exactly is the participatieverklaringstraject?

The participatieverklaringstraject is a mandatory part of your integration under the Wet inburgering 2021. During a few meetings you learn about the core values of Dutch society, such as freedom, equality and solidarity. You talk with a teacher or supervisor and with other newcomers about what those values mean in daily life. At the end of the track you sign the participation statement: a document in which you indicate that you respect these values and will do your best to take part in the Netherlands.

The track is not an exam. You do not get a grade and you cannot fail. You do have to attend the meetings and sign the statement. The municipality keeps track of whether you do that. If you do not show up without a good reason, that can have consequences for your integration track. The PVT is separate from the integration exam and also separate from the Staatsexamen NT2. It is a separate part that you do alongside your language lessons.

The implementation differs per municipality. Sometimes it is in a group, sometimes individually. There is no national fixed number of hours or meetings that we can mention here, because that differs. Ask your municipality or check the website of your municipality.

Who has to do the participatieverklaringstraject?

If you fall under the Wet inburgering 2021, so if you became subject to the integration requirement from 1 January 2022, then the participatieverklaringstraject is part of your integration. That applies to the B1 route and to the Z route (self-reliance route). The municipality arranges the track for you. You get an invitation or you hear about it during your intake interview with the municipality.

If you still fall under the Wet inburgering 2013, you may need to do a participation statement; this depends on when you became subject to the integration requirement. Check this with DUO or your municipality. Doubting which law you fall under? Check your decision letter from DUO or ask your contact person at the municipality. The date on which you became subject to the integration requirement is decisive. That date is usually in the letter you got from DUO.

The PVT is part of the routes under the Wet inburgering 2021. Check with your municipality whether it applies to you. Even if you already speak reasonable Dutch, you have to follow the track. It is meant to ensure that everyone who settles in the Netherlands knows and endorses the basic values. The participation statement is not a voluntary choice; it is a mandatory part of your integration.

What do you learn during the participatieverklaringstraject?

During the PVT, topics are covered that have to do with how we treat each other in the Netherlands. Think of equality between men and women, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to make your own choices. You learn that in the Netherlands you may say what you think, but that you also have to take others into account. You learn about discrimination and why it is prohibited. And you learn about solidarity: that we pay taxes and that there are provisions for people who need them.

You also discuss practical situations. What do you do if you are discriminated against at work? How do you deal with a neighbour who causes nuisance? What do you say to the doctor if you disagree with a treatment? You learn that in the Netherlands you carry responsibility yourself and that you may stand up for yourself. The teacher explains how you do that, for example by filing a complaint or asking for help at the municipality.

It is not a lesson where you only listen. You are encouraged to ask questions and share your own experiences. Sometimes you watch a video or get a statement to discuss. The atmosphere is usually open and respectful. You do not have to agree with everything, but you do have to show that you understand and respect the values. That is ultimately the goal: that you know what is important in the Netherlands and that you adhere to it.

What does the participatieverklaringstraject look like in practice?

Usually you get an invitation from the municipality or from the organisation that carries out the track. It states where and when you need to come. It can be that you have to go to a community centre, a school or the town hall a few times. Sometimes it is in the evening, sometimes during the day. If you cannot make it, you have to let them know as soon as possible. Then you can come another time. If you just stay away, the municipality can see that as not complying with your integration obligation.

During the meetings you get information, but you also do assignments. For example, you can talk in a small group about a dilemma: you see that a colleague is being insulted because of his origin. What do you do? Or you learn how to make an appointment with the doctor and what to say then. You practise with sentences you can use directly. At the end of the track you get the participation statement. You read it through, you ask questions if needed, and then you sign it.

Sometimes the PVT is combined with other parts of your integration, such as the Module Arbeidsmarkt & Participatie (MAP). That differs per municipality. They call that a participation activity. The goal is that you not only learn about values, but also put them into practice. Ask your municipality what exactly the intention is, so that you do not get surprised.

Signing the participation statement: what does that mean?

The participation statement is a document in which you declare that you respect Dutch values and that you do your best to take part in society. You do not promise that you already know everything or that you speak perfect Dutch. You do promise that you make an effort and that you accept the basic rules of the democratic constitutional state. Think of freedom of speech, equality before the law, and the right to choose your own partner.

Signing is usually a short ceremony. You get the document, you read it through once more, and then you sign it. The municipality keeps a copy. You also get a copy. Keep that safe, because you may need it as proof that you completed the PVT. It is not a diploma, but it is part of your integration file.

Note: signing does not mean that you automatically become Dutch or that your residence permit is extended. It is a part of your integration. For naturalisation or a permanent residence permit you have to meet more requirements, such as an integration diploma at A2 level or higher. The PVT alone is not enough. For the exact requirements, always check the IND website or ask your municipality.

Participatieverklaringstraject and the B1 route: how does that work?

If you follow the B1 route under the Wet inburgering 2021, then the participatieverklaringstraject is a mandatory part. The B1 route means that you take language exams at B1 level. In addition, you have to complete the PVT and sign the participation statement. The municipality arranges the PVT for you. Sometimes it is attached to the language lessons, sometimes it is a separate track. Check with your municipality how this is arranged for you.

The B1 route lasts in principle three years. In that period you have to pass your language exams and complete the PVT. What happens if you do not do the PVT differs per situation. Check this with your municipality. That does not happen quickly, but it is possible. So make sure you attend the meetings and sign the statement. If you cannot due to circumstances, talk to your contact person at the municipality. There is often more possible than you think.

For people who follow the Z route (self-reliance route), the PVT also applies. The Z route is for people who find learning the language difficult. The language level there is A1. Even then you have to sign the participation statement. The municipality makes sure you can understand it. Do not hesitate to ask for extra explanation if something is not clear.

Practical example sentences and situations

Below are sentences you can use during the PVT or in conversations with the municipality. They are not meant as exam answers, but as a tool to express yourself. Practise them out loud, alone or with a language buddy. The more often you say them, the easier it goes.

I received an invitation for the participatieverklaringstraject. Can you tell me what I need to bring?
I cannot come on that date. Can I come another time?
Can you explain that again in simple Dutch?
I do not understand the word 'gelijkwaardigheid'. What does that mean exactly?
May I give my own opinion during the meeting?
I would like to sign the participation statement. Where do I do that?
I signed the statement. Do I get proof of that?
What happens if I miss a meeting? Do I have to report that in advance?

Step-by-step plan (what you do this week)

If you just got an invitation or if you know you still have to do the PVT, you can follow these steps. It helps to keep an overview and to prevent you from forgetting something.

Step 1: Read the letter or email from the municipality carefully. Write down the date, time and location. Put it in your calendar right away.
Step 2: Check that you have a valid ID.
Step 3: Call or email your contact person at the municipality if you have questions or if you cannot come. Do that as soon as possible.
Step 4: Take a pen and paper to the meeting. Write down words you do not know and ask for an explanation.
Step 5: Talk at home with someone about what you learned. That way you remember it better and practise your Dutch.
Step 6: Sign the participation statement and keep your copy in a safe place, for example in a folder with your integration papers.

Common mistakes (and what does work)

People sometimes make mistakes around the PVT, often because they do not know exactly what it is. Below are the most common misunderstandings and how you can prevent them.

Mistake: thinking the PVT is an exam you have to pass. What does work: it is a track; you have to be present and sign the statement. There is no grade.
Mistake: skipping the meeting without notice. What does work: call the municipality and ask for another date. That way you prevent problems with your integration.
Mistake: thinking you can do the PVT instead of your language exams. What does work: the PVT is a supplement; you also have to pass your language exams at the level that belongs to your route.
Mistake: signing the participation statement without reading it. What does work: read it calmly and ask for an explanation if there are words in it that you do not understand.
Mistake: thinking that after the PVT you can immediately apply for a Dutch passport. What does work: for naturalisation you need an integration diploma at A2 level or higher, or a Staatsexamen NT2 diploma (Programme I or II). Check the current rules with IND.. The PVT is only one part.

Mini checklist

Use this checklist to check whether you have done everything around the participatieverklaringstraject. Tick off what you have arranged.

I know whether I fall under the Wet inburgering 2021 and whether the PVT is mandatory for me.
I have received the invitation for the PVT and put the date in my calendar.
I have my ID ready for the meeting.
I have a contact person at the municipality whom I can call with questions.
I have signed the participation statement and received a copy.
I keep all documents about my integration in one place.

How to practise this (Dutch Fluency + more)

The participatieverklaringstraject is about values and norms, but you also need language for it. You have to be able to understand what is said and give your own opinion. That is why it is smart to practise Dutch at A2 and B1 level alongside the PVT. On Dutch Fluency NT2 you will find exercises for reading, listening, writing and speaking that tie in with integration. That way you can use the words and sentences you hear during the PVT in other situations too.

For example, you can practise with a mock exam to get used to the question format, or delve into KNM. Note: KNM is a separate knowledge exam and is separate from the Staatsexamen NT2. On our site you will find separate pages for KNM and for the language exams. By practising regularly, you become more confident in Dutch and you can take part in conversations during the PVT better. That makes the track not only easier, but also more useful.

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Frequently asked questions

What exactly is the participatieverklaringstraject?

The participatieverklaringstraject (PVT) is a mandatory part of integration under the Wet inburgering 2021. You learn about Dutch values and norms and at the end you sign the participation statement. It is not an exam; you do have to attend the meetings.

Do I have to do the participatieverklaringstraject mandatorily?

If you fall under the Wet inburgering 2021, yes. That applies to the B1 route and the Z route. If you still fall under the Wet inburgering 2013, it is not mandatory, but some municipalities offer it voluntarily. Ask your municipality.

How long does the participatieverklaringstraject take?

That differs per municipality. Often it is a few meetings of a few hours, spread over several weeks. There is no national fixed number of hours. Ask the organisation that carries out the track.

What happens if I miss a meeting of the PVT?

If you cannot come, you have to report it as soon as possible to the municipality or the organisation. Then you can often come another time. If you stay away without notice, the municipality can see that as not complying with your integration obligation. That can have consequences, so be on time.

Do I get a diploma or certificate from the participatieverklaringstraject?

No, you do not get a diploma. You sign the participation statement and you get a copy of it. That is your proof that you completed the track. Keep it safe, because it is part of your integration file.

Is the participatieverklaringstraject the same as the integration exam?

No, the PVT is a separate part. The integration exam consists of language exams (reading, listening, writing, speaking) and often also KNM. The PVT comes on top of that. You have to do both to meet your integration obligation.

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