Basic Civic Integration Exam Abroad
Everything you need to know about taking the Dutch integration exam in your home country, including costs, requirements, and free official study materials.
Who is this guide for?
- You or your partner are applying for a Dutch MVV (entry visa).
- You want to know exactly what is tested on the basic integration exam.
- You are looking for the official, free preparation materials.
What is the Basic Civic Integration Exam Abroad?
The Basic Civic Integration Exam Abroad (Basisexamen inburgering in het buitenland) is a language and culture test. It is primarily required for foreign nationals who need a provisional residence permit (MVV) to enter the Netherlands for family reunification.
Language Level: While the regular civic integration exams taken inside the Netherlands have been raised to a higher level (B1), this specific exam taken abroad strictly remains at the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The 3 Exam Parts
You must pass all three components to complete the exam successfully. The three parts are:
- 1. Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNS)This part tests your basic knowledge of the Netherlands, such as geography, history, and how society works. You will look at pictures on a computer and answer multiple-choice questions.
- 2. Reading Skills (Leesvaardigheid)You will read short, simple Dutch texts on a computer and answer multiple-choice questions about them. You must also demonstrate that you can read and understand basic words.
- 3. Speaking Skills (Spreekvaardigheid)You will watch videos on a computer, listen to questions, and speak your answers into a microphone. You must also be able to complete short sentences.
How to Prepare (For Free)
You do not need to pay for expensive language courses if you are comfortable studying independently. The Dutch government provides the official study package, called Naar Nederland, entirely for free.
The 100% free digital package includes:
- The KNS film (required for the Knowledge of Dutch Society part).
- Digital workbooks, manuals, and a photo book.
- Audio files to practice pronunciation.
- An online practice program.
Note: You can download these files for free on the official naarnederland.nlwebsite. They also sell a physical box with USB sticks and printed books for €25, but buying the physical box is completely optional.
Costs and Registration Flow
Taking the full exam costs exactly €150. If you fail one specific part, you only have to retake that part, which costs €50 per component.
You cannot just walk into a Dutch embassy to take the exam. You must follow a strict order:
- Pay DUO: First, you must register and pay the €150 exam fee directly to DUO (the Dutch education executive agency) via their official portal.
- Wait for Confirmation: After your payment is processed, DUO will send you an official payment confirmation.
- Make an Appointment: Only after receiving this confirmation can you contact the Dutch embassy or consulate-general in your home country (or a neighboring country) to schedule an exam date.
After the exam
DUO sends the result within 8 weeks. Once you have passed all three components, the result is valid for 1 year, and your MVV application must be submitted to the IND within that period.
Exemptions
Not everyone coming to the Netherlands has to take this exam. Not everyone who needs an MVV has to take this exam either. The IND has several exemptions, including exemptions based on nationality, age, previous education, and certain residence purposes (such as partners of Highly Skilled Migrants).
Check if you are exempt
Because immigration rules are very specific, we highly recommend reading the exemptions section in our Family Reunification Guide or checking your exact situation on the IND website before paying for an exam.