Wat is er veranderd?Inburgering in 2026: what's changed

A new KNM exam

The exam on knowledge of Dutch society was rewritten. It's less about how you're expected to behave and more about understanding how things work, built around four situations: work, housing, dealing with official bodies, and citizenship. New topics include DigiD and the Holocaust. The exam has 40 questions, you have 45 minutes, and you need 28 correct to pass.

For: everyone who still has to take KNM. The DUO practice exams have been updated too.

MAP instead of ONA

There are fewer and fewer courses for ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt). If you can't find one, your gemeente may let you follow the Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie (MAP) instead. When you've finished, DUO checks whether you're exempt from the ONA exam and sends you a letter.

For: people under the 2013 law who still need ONA. Ask your gemeente.

Your diploma is digital

All inburgering diplomas are now issued digitally. You request yours in Mijn Inburgering after you've passed everything. The IND and gemeenten accept the digital version, including for naturalisation. You can still ask for a paper copy, but it takes about 8 weeks.

Possibly extra time for Speaking and Writing

If you only have Speaking A2 and/or Writing A2 left and your deadline is close, DUO may give you extra time. The same applies to Speaking B1. You don't need to apply: DUO sends a letter saying whether you get extra time and how much. No letter means no extra time.

The EU Migration Pact applies

New European rules for asylum procedures took effect. They mostly change the asylum process itself rather than inburgering. The IND has an overview of what changed.

For: asylum seekers and people applying for family reunification after asylum.

No fines or loan repayments for asylum status holders (2013 law)

After a court ruling, DUO may no longer fine asylum status holders under the 2013 law for taking longer, and it can't make them repay their inburgering loan. People who already paid will get a letter from DUO in the autumn of 2026 about getting money back.

For: asylum status holders under the 2013 law only. Not for family migrants or other migrants.

Childcare allowance for every part

You can now get kinderopvangtoeslag for all compulsory parts of inburgering, including MAP, the participation statement (PVT) and the participation hours in the Z-route. Before, those three were not covered.

Results for Speaking and Writing A2 take longer

Because there are so many exams to mark, results for Speaking A2 and Writing A2 can take up to 16 weeks instead of 8. If your deadline is close and you're waiting for one of these results, you automatically get 6 months' extension. DUO sends you a letter.