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Integration

Is your Dutch not that good yet? And don't you know enough about the Netherlands just yet? Then you may need to integrate. 

You’ll receive a letter from the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO), the Education Executive Agency, if you need to integrate. The letter will also confirm your integration deadline. You’re not obliged to complete an integration course, but you are obliged to pass the integration exam.

You’ll receive written notification about the exam result within four weeks of completing the exam. DUO will inform the municipality whether you have passed the exam.

Have you failed the integration exam and are you subject to an integration requirement? Then you have to re-register yourself with DUO. All information about registering can be found on the DUO website.

Conditions

You will need to integrate in the following situations: 

  • You come from a country outside the European Union.
  • You are between 18 and 65 years old.
  • You don’t have a Dutch passport. 

You won’t have to integrate in the following situations: 

  • You have lived in the Netherlands for 8 years or more and were of school age.
  • You have Dutch diplomas or certificates.
  • You will be staying in the Netherlands on a temporary basis for work or study purposes. 

You are allowed to do an integration course even if you are not under an integration requirement. For example, if you want to learn the Dutch language or learn about the Netherlands.

Costs 

An integration course or integration exam costs money. The municipality might pay for you. For more information about the costs, you can visit DUO's website.  

More information

You can obtain more information about integration at the Werk en Inkomen (Work and Income) counter at City Hall.

Opening times are from Monday to Friday at 08.30 to 13.00. You do not have to make an appointment. Would you prefer to make a phone call? Then you can call from Monday to Friday between 09.00 and 17.00 by dialling 14 036.