The Integration Shock 2026: Language Requirement Jumps to B1 & Exams Get Tougher

The Hague – For years, the path to Dutch citizenship or permanent residency was relatively straightforward: live here for five years, pass a basic language test (A2), and you were in. Those days are officially numbered.

With the tightening of migration policies by the new right-center coalition, the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) and the Ministry of Social Affairs have accelerated the enforcement of the B1 Language Requirement. The message to expats is clear: “Good morning” and “lekker” are no longer enough. To stay, you must now be able to debate, complain, and work in Dutch.

Expat forums are currently flooded with panic as thousands rush to book exams before the rules become even stricter. The Dutch Daily breaks down what the shift from A2 to B1 really means, why the “Knowledge of Society” (KNM) exam is becoming a minefield, and who might still be safe under the transitional rules.

Table of Contents

• The Great Leap: Why A2 is Easy, but B1 is Brutal
• The KNM Trap: It’s Not Just About Tulips
• The Timeline: When Does This Apply to You?
• The ‘Grandfather’ Clause: Are You Safe?
• The Financial Blow: Integration is Expensive
• Key Takeaways
• Dutch Learning Corner

The Great Leap: Why A2 is Easy, but B1 is Brutal

Many expats underestimate the difference between CEFR levels A2 and B1. It is not just “a few more words.” It is a structural shift in how you use the language.

The Gap:

Linguists estimate that going from Zero to A2 takes about 200 hours of study. Going from A2 to B1 takes an additional 350-400 hours. For an expat working full-time, this means dedicating almost every evening to study for a year. The failure rate for B1 exams is significantly higher, leading to delays in citizenship applications.

The KNM Trap: It’s Not Just About Tulips

While the language requirement grabs the headlines, the Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM) exam has also quietly become much harder.

Gone are the days when knowing that “you shouldn’t mow the lawn on Sunday” was enough. The new question bank digs deeper into:

* Dutch History: Detailed questions about the Eighty Years’ War or the constitutional changes of 1848.
* Politics: Understanding the “Polder Model,” the role of the Senate (Eerste Kamer), and water management boards.
* Education System: Navigating the complex MBO/HBO/WO school streams.

Many expats report failing KNM not because they lack knowledge, but because the questions are phrased in tricky, nuanced Dutch (B1 level), making it a double language test.

The Timeline: When Does This Apply to You?

The government’s logic is based on the “Wet Inburgering 2021″, which actually came into full force for newcomers arriving after January 1, 2022. However, the coalition is pushing to apply stricter standards to everyone applying for permanent residency or naturalization, regardless of when they arrived.

The 2026 Panic:

Currently, there is a legislative push to make B1 the absolute floor for Naturalization (Dutch Passport) by mid-to-late 2026. This means if you are planning to apply for citizenship next year, your A2 diploma might become worthless overnight.

The ‘Grandfather’ Clause: Are You Safe?

This is the most critical question. Usually, Dutch law respects the rules that were in place when you started your process. This is called Overgangsrecht (Transitional Law).

• If you are already “Inburgeringsplichtig” (Obligated) under the 2013 system: You generally stay under the A2 requirement.
• If you are voluntarily applying for a Permanent Residence / Citizenship: The IND applies the rules valid on the day of your application.

The Loophole:

If you pass your exams at A2 level NOW and apply for citizenship before the law officially changes (expected late 2026), you are likely safe. This explains the current rush: everyone is trying to “lock in” their status under the easier A2 regime.

The Financial Blow: Integration is Expensive

Failing an exam isn’t just demoralizing; it’s expensive.

* Exam Fees: A full set of exams costs upwards of €350.
* Courses: A quality B1 course can cost between €1,500 and €3,000.

Unlike refugees, working expats (kennismigranten) get zero subsidy. You pay everything out of pocket. With the failure rate rising due to the B1 standard, many expats are facing a “hidden tax” of thousands of euros just to prove they belong.

Key Takeaways

• B1 is Coming: The standard for citizenship is shifting from “Basic” (A2) to “Intermediate” (B1).
• Huge Effort: B1 requires double the study time of A2. It involves complex writing and listening.
• KNM is Tricky: The “Society” exam is now a history and politics test in disguise.
• Act Now: If you are eligible for citizenship, applying sooner rather than later might save you from the B1 requirement.

Dutch Learning Corner