Ontheffing and vrijstelling (exemptions)

What is the difference?

Put simply: you usually get a vrijstelling because you already passed or showed something, for example a diploma. You usually get an ontheffing because you cannot pass the exams, for example because of a serious illness.

A vrijstelling or an ontheffing can be for some of the exams, or for all exams. In Mijn Inburgering you see which exams you have to take.

You can only get a vrijstelling or an ontheffing if you are obliged to integrate. You got a letter from DUO about this.

Vrijstelling

You may get a vrijstelling if:

• you have a diploma of an education in Dutch, for example vmbo, havo, vwo or mbo level 2 or higher. Then maybe you do not have to take any exam.
• you already passed one or more parts of the staatsexamen Nt2. You then do not have to take those exams again.
• you have lived in the Netherlands for 10 years or more, worked here for at least 5 years and your Dutch is good enough. DUO then invites you for a talk. Under the Wet inburgering 2013 this is called an ontheffing.

You usually apply for a vrijstelling with a form from DUO. You send it by post with your documents. Under the Wet inburgering 2021 you do not have to apply for a vrijstelling for parts of the staatsexamen Nt2, if you passed them at the level of your PIP or higher.

Ontheffing

Ontheffing means that you do not have to take an exam, or that you do not have to take any exams at all. You may get an ontheffing if:

• you have a serious illness or disability, and because of it you cannot integrate within 5 years, or not at all. A doctor from Argonaut examines you. Then DUO decides.
• you cannot integrate because of a very special personal situation, and that situation will not change. You must have done your best to learn Dutch. This is called ontheffing BIO (bijzondere individuele omstandigheden, special personal circumstances).
• under the Wet inburgering 2013 you already followed many hours of course and took the exams many times. This is called ontheffing AGI (aantoonbaar geleverde inspanningen, proven efforts).

Is your illness not permanent? Then ask for extra time instead of an ontheffing.

How do you apply?

• You apply for an ontheffing because of illness in Mijn Inburgering, under 'Digitale formulieren' (digital forms). Can you not log in? Then you use a form. Do not send medical papers. You take them to the doctor from Argonaut.
• Applying for an ontheffing because of illness costs money. You cannot borrow this money. Do you get the ontheffing? Then DUO pays the money back.
• For an ontheffing BIO you answer a few questions on inburgeren.nl.
• For a vrijstelling and for an ontheffing AGI you send a form to DUO by post. DUO decides.

Can you take the exam, but not in the normal way? Then you can also ask for an adapted exam.

Do you want to become Dutch later?

A vrijstelling or an ontheffing from DUO is not always enough to become Dutch (naturalisation) or to get a stronger residence permit. An ontheffing BIO under the Wet inburgering 2021 is not enough for naturalisation.

Show your vrijstelling or ontheffing to the municipality (gemeente). The municipality knows whether you can still naturalise. For a stronger residence permit, the IND decides.

Official practice exams

On inburgeren.nl you find all situations in which you have to take fewer or no exams, with the conditions and the forms.

• Fewer or no exams on inburgeren.nl (opens in a new tab)