Municipal Civic Integration

General information

In order to promote integration, the Civic Integration Act obliges most foreigners to take part in language and/or civic integration courses. If you are between the ages of 16 and 65 come from outside the European Union you will probably need to follow an integration programme.

There are many different courses, with different lengths and levels, depending on personal situation. The municipality can offer assisting to people living permanently in the Netherlands to find the right course and will, in most cases, offer these courses for free.

Do you need to follow an integration course?

If you need to follow an integration course, the Gemeente Amsterdam will send you a letter with an invitation for a discussion about your integration obligation.

Each stadsdeel (district) has a civic integration service desk, called Taalwijzers. At your local Taalwijzers you can enquire for further information and advice about the civic integration programme. If you would you like to integrate voluntarily, please contact the Taalwijzer office in your district.

For more information please see the integration programme website or visit your local Taalwijzer.

Exemptions

The following people are exempt from Municipal Civic Integration:

• persons from a EU/EER country or Swiss national

• persons younger than 16 or older than 65

• persons who resided in the Netherlands 8 years or longer between the ages of 5 and 17

• persons with a Dutch ‘MBO/HAVO’ diploma

• persons with a work permit

• persons who are self-employed (zelfstandigen/ zzper's)

• person who are highly skilled migrants and their partners

• other temporary residents

• those who have already a certain knowledge of the Dutch language and culture can do a exam (Korte vrijstellingstoets) for an exemption. When passing this exam, you are exempted from further civic integration exams. The cost is 81 Euro.

Permanent residence

Civic integration is compulsory if you wish to obtain a permanent residence permit. You will need to have a sufficient command of the Dutch language in order to fulfil the integration requirements. A test for this purpose, the State Examination NT2, will need to be completed.

Further information

For more detailed information about the municipal civic integration programme please visit:

www.ipunt.amsterdam.nl/en/integration/

www.hetbegintmettaal.nl (or call 0800 - 8051)

www.inburgeren.nl

http://www.cve.nl/item/college_voor_examens_board_of

If you require further information, call the city information number 14 020 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 18:00).