Slaagkans

Slaagkans

Divorcing during your inburgering: can you stay?

October 3, 2026 · 2 min

Someone alone at a kitchen table with papers

A separation does not remove your integration obligation: you still complete it as long as you live in the Netherlands and are required to integrate. Your residence right is a separate question, assessed case by case by the IND, depending on your permit, how long you have been here and your circumstances. Get help with that early — it is not something to work out alone.

Integration obligation
continues
Residence right
IND assesses
Help
ask for it early

Two separate clocks

  • **Integration:** your deadline and route keep running. If your situation changes significantly, tell your municipality — it can count towards an extension.
  • **Residence:** a dependent residence permit is tied to your relationship. What happens when it ends depends on your permit and your circumstances, and is assessed by the IND.

What you can do now

  1. 1

    Get legal help

    A lawyer or the Juridisch Loket can tell you what your permit means. This is too important for a forum.

  2. 2

    Tell your municipality

    Your integration contact can think with you about your programme, your route and a possible extension.

  3. 3

    Keep your own documents

    Residence permit, registrations, result letters, course invoices — keep them outside the house if that is safer.

  4. 4

    Carry on with your exams

    Your diploma is in your name and counts later for permanent residence and naturalisation.

Keep going with your integration as far as you can. Whatever happens with your residence procedure, a passed exam part stays valid — and it is one of the few things in this period that is entirely yours.

What this means for you

  • Get legal advice about your residence; general information is not an answer to your case.
  • Report the change to your municipality, for your integration programme too.
  • Make sure you control your own documents and your DigiD.

Frequently asked questions

Do I still have to integrate after a separation?

Yes, as long as you live in the Netherlands and are required to integrate. Discuss your situation with your municipality.

Do I automatically lose my residence right?

That depends on your permit and circumstances; the IND assesses it. Get legal advice.

Your diploma is yours. Keep practising, even now.

Continue practising

Sources

Last checked: August 5, 2026. Rules and amounts change — always check your own situation with DUO or the IND.

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