Dutch Citizenship Requirements in 2026: The Ongoing B1 Debate, Government Signals, and What Expats Should Realistically Expect

I. What Is the Rule in September 2026?

The current legal position is straightforward: naturalization applicants in the Netherlands generally need to have passed the civic integration examination at at least A2 level, unless they qualify for an exemption or exemption from the exam.

The IND’s naturalization information, updated in September 2026, continues to state that applicants must meet the integration requirement and normally have passed the civic integration examination at language level A2.

The current naturalization residence requirement is also five years of continuous lawful residence in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, subject to exceptions.

So, as of September 15, 2026:

• A2: still the current language requirement.
• B1: not yet in force, but officially being prepared.
• Five years: still the current standard residence requirement.
• Ten years: proposed, but not yet the current legal requirement.

II. The B1 Naturalization Plan Is Real — But Not Yet Law

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding Dutch naturalization in 2026 is that the B1 discussion is simply an internet rumor.

It is not.

The Dutch government has formally stated that it intends to raise the naturalization language requirement from A2 to B1. The IND’s February 2026 implementation assessment also explicitly states that the current language level in European Netherlands is A2 and that there are plans to raise this level to B1.

The government has explained that a new Besluit naturalisatietoets is being prepared to implement the higher language requirement.

This means the correct description in September 2026 is:

That distinction matters. Someone applying under today’s rules does not suddenly have to pass B1 simply because the government is preparing a future change.

III. The 10-Year Naturalization Plan Is Also Real

The residence requirement is a separate issue from the language requirement.

The Dutch government announced in September 2025 that it wanted to extend the standard naturalization residence period from five years to ten years.

The proposal was put into internet consultation in September 2025. The proposed change would amend the Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap.

As of September 2026, however, the five-year rule remains the rule currently applied by the IND.

The important distinction is therefore:

• Current rule: normally five years.
• Proposed change: normally ten years.
• Status: proposed legislation, not yet the rule currently used for naturalization applications.

There are also exceptions to the five-year requirement under current law, including certain situations involving marriage or registered partnership with a Dutch citizen.

IV. A2 vs. B1: What Would Actually Change?

A2 and B1 are CEFR language levels. B1 represents a significantly higher level of independent language use than A2.

The move from A2 to B1 would therefore represent a meaningful increase in the language standard. However, claims that B1 preparation necessarily takes exactly two or three times as long as A2 preparation should not be presented as a universal fact without a specific supporting study.

V. How the B1 Legal Process Actually Works

Another important correction concerns the legal procedure.

The B1 naturalization language requirement is not being introduced through an ordinary bill that first has to pass the Tweede Kamer and Eerste Kamer.

According to the government’s explanation, the change requires a revision of the Besluit naturalisatietoets. This is an algemene maatregel van rijksbestuur.

The planned route is broadly:

1. A concept amendment to the Besluit naturalisatietoets is prepared.
2. The draft is put into (internet) consultation.
3. The proposal goes through the relevant government approval process.
4. The Raad van State provides its advisory opinion.
5. The government considers the advice and prepares the final text.
6. The measure can then be published in the Staatsblad.
7. It can enter into force after the legally required period.

Because this is an amendment to an algemene maatregel van rijksbestuur, the proposal is not submitted to the Tweede Kamer as an ordinary bill.

The government previously indicated that the concept Besluit naturalisatietoets was expected to be put into consultation during 2026. The exact implementation date of a future B1 requirement should therefore not be presented as confirmed unless the final regulation specifies one.

VI. What IND and DUO Say Today

IND

The IND’s current naturalization information still states that applicants must meet the civic integration requirement and normally have passed the exam at A2 level.

The IND’s current naturalization page was updated in September 2026. This is the appropriate source for the rule that applicants are actually subject to today.

DUO

DUO administers the civic integration examinations. The current naturalization examination framework continues to include A2-level Dutch components.

This does not mean that the government has abandoned the B1 plan. It means that the future change has not yet replaced the current A2 framework.

VII. What Could Happen to People Already Preparing?

One of the biggest practical questions is what happens to people who are already studying for A2 if the B1 requirement eventually enters into force.

At the moment, there is no final B1 implementation rule that establishes a universal transition regime.

That means it would be irresponsible to claim that every person already in the integration process will automatically be protected, or that everyone will automatically have to retake exams.

The eventual regulation and any accompanying transition provisions will determine how applications and previously obtained certificates are treated.

Until those provisions are officially published, applicants should not rely on social-media claims about grandfathering, deadlines or automatic exemptions.

VIII. Why Is B1 Being Considered?

The move toward B1 is part of a broader political objective to strengthen integration and language proficiency for people seeking Dutch citizenship.

The government’s policy documents have linked the proposed changes to the idea that people should demonstrate a stronger and more durable connection with Dutch society before obtaining nationality.

Higher language proficiency can also be useful in employment, education, administration and everyday participation. However, those benefits should not be presented as proof that every migrant will automatically achieve better employment or social outcomes at B1.

Academic research on language and integration is more nuanced than a simple statement that “B1 always produces better outcomes.” Individual results depend on education, employment, age, literacy, health, migration background and access to language education.

IX. Common Myths About Dutch Naturalization

• MYTH 1: “B1 is already mandatory for naturalization.”
  False. The current requirement remains A2.
• MYTH 2: “B1 is completely made up by expat forums.”
  False. The government is officially preparing a change from A2 to B1.
• MYTH 3: “B1 has already been approved and has a confirmed start date.”
  False. The proposed change is not yet the current legal requirement and a final implementation date should not be treated as confirmed without the final regulation.
• MYTH 4: “Naturalization has already changed from five to ten years.”
  False. Five years remains the current standard requirement. A ten-year change has been proposed.
• MYTH 5: “The B1 change has to pass both chambers of Parliament like a normal bill.”
  False. The B1 language change is being prepared through the Besluit naturalisatietoets, an algemene maatregel van rijksbestuur.
• MYTH 6: “Everyone already studying A2 will definitely have to start again at B1.”
  Not established. The eventual transition rules have not yet been finalized.

X. What Expats Should Realistically Do in 2026

For people planning Dutch naturalization, the practical approach is simple.

1. Continue working toward the current requirement.

   A2 remains the current naturalization language requirement. If you are eligible and ready to apply under the current rules, do not assume that a future B1 proposal has already changed the law.

2. Consider continuing toward B1 if you can.

   Even though B1 is not yet required, reaching B1 can provide a stronger level of Dutch for work, education and everyday life.

3. Monitor official sources.

   For legal changes, rely primarily on IND, Rijksoverheid, DUO, the Staatsblad and official parliamentary documents rather than social-media posts.

4. Do not rely on unofficial implementation dates.

   A proposed change is not the same thing as a law in force.

5. Keep your naturalization documents organized.

   Language requirements are only one part of the naturalization process. Residence, identity, residence status, public-order requirements and possible nationality-renunciation rules can also matter.

XI. What Could Happen Next?

The most important development to watch is the proposed amendment to the Besluit naturalisatietoets.

The government has indicated that the concept B1 decision would go through consultation and subsequent legal review before it could enter into force.

The separate proposal to extend the standard naturalization period from five to ten years follows a different route because it requires a change to the Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap.

Neither proposal should be described as already being in force.

The exact timing remains dependent on the legislative and administrative process. Political developments, government status, consultation responses and the advice of the Raad van State can all affect the timetable.

XII. The Bottom Line: The Facts in September 2026

• A2 remains the current naturalization language requirement.
• B1 is an official government plan and a draft Besluit naturalisatietoets is being prepared.
• B1 is not yet the legal requirement.
• The B1 change is being pursued through an algemene maatregel van rijksbestuur rather than an ordinary bill through both chambers.
• The current standard naturalization residence period remains five years.
• The government has proposed increasing the standard period from five to ten years.
• The ten-year proposal is not yet the current rule.
• No reliable final implementation date for B1 should be presented until the relevant regulation is finalized.

For applicants, the safest approach in 2026 is therefore not to panic about rumors — but also not to dismiss the B1 proposal as a rumor. A2 is the rule today, while B1 is a genuine policy change being prepared.

The same applies to the five-year residence requirement: five years remains the current rule, while a ten-year extension has been formally proposed.

🇳🇱 Dutch Learning Corner: Integration & Naturalization

📊 Sources

• IND — Naturalisation requirements, updated September 2026: current A2 integration requirement and five-year residence requirement.
• IND — Inburgering for naturalisation: A2 naturalisation examination requirements and exemptions.
• IND — February 2026 implementation assessment of the Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap: confirms current A2 level and plans to raise it to B1.
• Dutch Parliament — Government answers concerning the planned A2-to-B1 naturalization language increase and the preparation of the Besluit naturalisatietoets.
• Rijksoverheid — September 2025 announcement of the proposed extension of the standard naturalization residence period from five to ten years.
• Rijksoverheid / official parliamentary documents — information on the legal process for the proposed naturalization changes.

Last checked: September 15, 2026. Naturalization legislation and implementation plans can change. Always check the latest IND and government information before submitting an application.