The exam you sit abroad
Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland (A1)
You sit the Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland before you move to the Netherlands, at a Dutch embassy or consulate. It is the first language exam on your route and a condition for the MVV visa.
Who has to take this exam?
You take it when applying for a provisional residence permit (MVV) to join your partner or family in the Netherlands. You sit it in your own country, not in the Netherlands.
MVV provisional-residence (family migration) visa — sat abroad, before you move to the Netherlands.
The three parts
| Part | Amount | Time | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennis Nederlandse SamenlevingKnowledge of Dutch Society | 30 | 30 min | ≈ 21 |
| LezenReading | 19 | 35 min | — |
| SprekenSpeaking | 22 | 30 min | — |
| Total | 95 min | Each of the 3 parts is graded 1–10; you need a 6 or higher on all three. Passed parts stay valid indefinitely. |
Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNS)
KNS tests practical knowledge about the Netherlands using short films and photographs. The questions are spread across these seven topics.
- Nederland: geografie, vervoer en wonen
- Geschiedenis
- Staatsinrichting, politiek en Grondwet
- De Nederlandse taal en het belang van het leren ervan
- Opvoeding en onderwijs
- Gezondheidszorg
- Werk en inkomen
Practical information
- Where
- At a Dutch embassy or consulate in your own country — you take it before moving to the Netherlands.
- When & booking
- Register and pay with DUO first; DUO then emails you, and you book the appointment with the Dutch embassy or consulate.
- Exam fee
- €150 for the complete exam, or €50 for a single part — paid to DUO, not the embassy
- Results
- DUO sends the result within 8 weeks. Reading and KNS are computer-marked; Speaking is marked by two trained assessors.
Good to know
- This is an abroad exam and a condition for the MVV (family-migration) visa.
- Three parts: Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNS), Reading, Speaking.
- KNS: you need at least 21 of 30 correct to pass.
- The official study pack is “Naar Nederland” — this mock mirrors its format.
Bring: A valid passport · Your embassy appointment confirmation
How to prepare
Practise each part at real exam timing, in the same format as the real thing. You get your score per part immediately, plus which questions you got wrong and why. Start free after sign-up, no card needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Basisexamen the same as the inburgeringsexamen?
- No. The Basisexamen is taken abroad at A1 level before you arrive and has three parts. The inburgeringsexamen is taken in the Netherlands at A2 (or B1 under the Wet inburgering 2021) and has more parts, including writing and KNM. Passing the Basisexamen does not count towards your integration obligation.
- What if I fail one part?
- You re-sit only the part you still need and pay for that part separately. Parts you have already passed stay valid indefinitely.
- How long is my result valid?
- Passed parts do not expire. Watch the other deadline instead: after passing you must apply for your MVV within a year, or you have to sit the whole exam again.
Pricing
One DUO resit: €50 — per part.
Full practice for the Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland (A1): €19 once.
Essentials €19 · Mastery €29 — one payment, 3 months of access. The price you see is the price you pay — no VAT is added at checkout.