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Wet inburgering 2013 or 2021: which rules apply to you?

You hear people talking about the Wet inburgering 2013 and the Wet inburgering 2021, and you wonder: which one applies to me? The short answer: look at the date when you became subject to the civic integration obligation. If you became subject before 1 January 2022, the Wet inburgering 2013 applies to you. If you became subject on or after 1 January 2022, the Wet inburgering 2021 applies. That date determines everything: your level, your exams and what guidance you get.

Why is this so important? Because the rules differ a lot. Under the old law you take language exams at A2 level, plus the Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM). Under the new law it depends on your route: the B1 route requires language at B1 level, the education route also B1 or higher, and the self-reliance route (Z route) requires A1. In addition, under the new law you get guidance from the municipality, while under the old law you often had to arrange your exam yourself. If you follow the wrong rules, you waste time and money.

In this guide we explain step by step which law applies to you, what the differences are, and how you know exactly what you need to do. You will read how to check your civic integration obligation, what the routes involve, and which exams you need to pass. We also give you concrete example sentences and a step-by-step plan for this week. You do not need to be an expert; with the right information you can breathe easy and get to work.

Wet inburgering 2013 or 2021: the short answer

The law that applies to you depends on the date when you became subject to the civic integration obligation. That is usually the date when you received a residence permit for a non-temporary purpose, or the date when you came to live in the Netherlands with such a permit. Was that date before 1 January 2022? Then the Wet inburgering 2013 applies. Was it on or after 1 January 2022? Then the Wet inburgering 2021 applies. You can also find this in the letter from the IND or in Mijn Inburgering.

Under the Wet inburgering 2013 you must pass your language exams at A2 level within 3 years (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) plus the KNM exam. Depending on when your obligation started, you also had to do the participation declaration trajectory and the Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market (ONA). Under the Wet inburgering 2021 you are assigned a route by the municipality. The B1 route requires language at B1 level, the education route also B1 or higher, and the Z route requires A1. All routes also include KNM. The municipality also arranges the participation declaration trajectory (PVT) and the Labour Market & Participation Module (MAP).

Note: the Staatsexamen NT2 Programme I (B1) or Programme II (B2) can be used for the language part of the B1 route and the education route. However, the Staatsexamen NT2 does not replace the KNM exam. KNM is a separate exam. If you are unsure, ask your municipality or check inburgeren.nl.

Wet inburgering 2013: A2 and arranging things yourself

The Wet inburgering 2013 applies to people who became subject to the civic integration obligation before 1 January 2022. You must pass the language exams at A2 level within 3 years: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. There is also the KNM exam. The KNM exam tests knowledge of Dutch society, with questions at A2 language level. The topics range from work and income to history and geography.

Depending on when your civic integration obligation started, there are extra requirements. People who fell under the old law later also had to sign a participation declaration and complete the ONA programme. ONA stands for Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market. You learn how to apply for jobs and how the Dutch labour market works. The municipality can help you with this, but the responsibility was often yours.

The big difference with the new law is that under the old law you usually had to book and pay for your exams yourself, and there was no fixed route. You could choose a course at a school, but that was not required. Many people did it through self-study or with a language course. The municipality had a more limited role. If you fall under this law, check with DUO which exams you still need to do and whether you qualify for a loan or reimbursement.

Wet inburgering 2021: three routes and guidance

The Wet inburgering 2021 applies to everyone who became subject to the civic integration obligation on or after 1 January 2022. This law has three routes: the B1 route, the education route and the self-reliance route (Z route). The municipality looks at which route suits you best. In the B1 route you take the language exams at B1 level (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) and the KNM exam. The municipality also arranges the participation declaration trajectory (PVT) and the Labour Market & Participation Module (MAP).

The education route is intended for young people who can or want to go to school. You then follow a course, often at mbo level or higher, and achieve your language at B1 or higher. The Z route is for people for whom the other routes are too difficult. You then work towards A1 level, with a lot of guidance. In the Z route you also take the KNM exam. The municipality helps you choose and follow the route.

An important point: if you are on the B1 route and have followed at least 600 hours of language lessons, but do not achieve B1 level, you can discuss with the municipality whether you may scale down to A2. That is called 'scaling down'. It is not automatic; the municipality decides. So if you fall under the Wet inburgering 2021, it is extra important to keep in good contact with your contact person at the municipality.

Differences between the two laws at a glance

The biggest difference is the level. Under the old law the final goal is A2. Under the new law the final goal depends on your route: B1 for the B1 route and the education route, A1 for the Z route. Another difference is the role of the municipality. Under the new law you get a personal plan and guidance. Under the old law you often had to figure it out yourself.

The extra components also differ. Under the old law, in addition to the language exams and KNM, you sometimes also have ONA and the participation declaration. Under the new law you get the participation declaration trajectory (PVT) and the Labour Market & Participation Module (MAP) via the municipality. The exams themselves are similar: you take Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking and KNM. But the level and the route differ.

For naturalisation it also matters. To become Dutch, you must have a civic integration diploma at A2 level or higher (under both laws), or a Staatsexamen NT2 Programme I (B1) or Programme II (B2). There is a proposal to raise the requirement to B1, but that has not yet been introduced. Always check the current rules with the IND.

How do you know which law applies to you?

The date when you became subject to the civic integration obligation is stated in your decision from the IND or in Mijn Inburgering. You can also call DUO or your municipality. They can tell you exactly which law applies to you. If you became subject before 1 January 2022, the Wet inburgering 2013 applies. After that, the Wet inburgering 2021 applies.

Sometimes it is complicated, for example if you received a new residence permit or if you previously had an exemption. If you doubt, check it. There is no point in guessing, because the rules determine what you must do and what help you get. Your municipality can also tell you whether you get a route under the new law and which one that is.

Practical example sentences for everyday situations

At the municipality: 'I would like to know whether I fall under the Wet inburgering 2013 or 2021. Can you look that up for me?'
At DUO: 'I received a letter about my civic integration. Can you tell me which exams I need to take?'
To your contact person: 'I am on the B1 route. I have had 600 hours of lessons, but B1 is not working yet. Can we talk about scaling down to A2?'
At the doctor's: 'I am doing civic integration. Sometimes I find it difficult, but I am doing my best.'
At Albert Heijn: 'May I ask you something? Where can I find the stamps?' (practise with short conversations)
At work: 'I am learning Dutch. If I do not understand something, I ask again.'
With DigiD: 'I log in with DigiD to view my details at DUO.'
To the municipality: 'I received a letter from DUO. Can you help me make a plan?'

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

Step 1: Find out when you became subject to the civic integration obligation. Look in Mijn Inburgering, your IND decision or call DUO.
Step 2: Determine which law applies: before 1 January 2022 = Wet inburgering 2013; on or after 1 January 2022 = Wet inburgering 2021.
Step 3: Check which exams you need to take. Under the old law: A2 language exams + KNM. Under the new law: depends on your route (B1, education or Z).
Step 4: Create an account on inburgeren.nl and Mijn Inburgering so you can track your progress.
Step 5: Contact your municipality if you fall under the new law. Ask about your route, the PVT and the MAP.
Step 6: Plan your study. Check whether you are entitled to a loan or reimbursement via DUO. Practise reading, listening, writing and speaking every day.

Common mistakes (and what works instead)

Mistake: thinking everyone falls under the new law. Fix: check the date when you became subject to the civic integration obligation.
Mistake: assuming you always have to achieve B1. Fix: under the Wet inburgering 2013 it is A2; under the new law it depends on your route.
Mistake: forgetting KNM. Fix: KNM is a separate exam that you must take in all routes.
Mistake: booking your exams yourself without checking whether your municipality arranges something. Fix: ask your municipality what they do for you.
Mistake: thinking the Staatsexamen NT2 replaces the KNM exam. Fix: Staatsexamen NT2 is only for the language part; KNM remains compulsory.

Mini checklist

Check: I know which law applies to me (2013 or 2021).
Check: I know which level I need to achieve (A2, B1 or A1).
Check: I know whether I need to do KNM (yes, in all cases).
Check: I am in contact with my municipality about my route and extra trajectories.
Check: I know where to book my exams and what they cost.

How to practise this (Dutch Fluency + more)

Whether you fall under the old or new law, you have to take language exams. So practise reading, listening, writing and speaking every day. On Dutch Fluency you will find exam-style exercises for A2 and B1. For example, you can practise with short texts, listening fragments and speaking assignments. That way you get used to the pace and the way questions are asked.

Want to practise specifically for KNM? Use our KNM exercises. They help you get to know the eight themes: work and income, social interaction, housing, health, history and geography, authorities, government and the rule of law, and education and upbringing. The more you practise, the more confident you become. And remember: you do not have to do it alone. Ask for help from your municipality, your teacher or your language buddy.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I know whether the Wet inburgering 2013 or 2021 applies to me?

Look at the date when you became subject to the civic integration obligation. If that was before 1 January 2022, the Wet inburgering 2013 applies. If it was on or after 1 January 2022, the Wet inburgering 2021 applies. You can also ask DUO or your municipality.

Do I also have to do KNM under the Wet inburgering 2021?

Yes, all routes of the Wet inburgering 2021 include the KNM exam. KNM stands for Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij. It is a separate exam that you take on the computer. The questions are at A2 level.

What is the difference between A2 and B1 in civic integration?

A2 is the level of the Wet inburgering 2013. B1 is the level of the B1 route and the education route under the Wet inburgering 2021. The Z route requires A1. If you are on the B1 route and do not achieve B1, you can sometimes scale down to A2.

Does the Staatsexamen NT2 replace my civic integration exam?

The Staatsexamen NT2 Programme I (B1) or Programme II (B2) can be used for the language part of the B1 route and the education route. However, it does not replace the KNM exam. So you always still have to do KNM.

What should I do if I think I fall under the wrong law?

Contact your municipality or DUO. They can tell you exactly which law applies to you and what you need to do. Sometimes a mistake has been made or your situation has changed. Have it checked, because the rules determine your exams and your guidance.

Am I entitled to a loan or reimbursement for my civic integration?

That depends on your situation and the law that applies to you. DUO provides loans for civic integration and manages the payments. Ask DUO about the current rules. Your municipality can also tell you what support is possible.

More guides and exam tips

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