What does civic integration cost? Costs, loan, and fine

By Redactie Inburgering — samengesteld op basis van officiële bronnenLast checked: 2026-06-28

What civic integration costs depends on your situation. Asylum status holders usually get the course via the municipality and their first exam attempts covered. Other migrants can apply for a loan from DUO. Missing your deadline without a valid reason can result in a fine.

Asylum status holders

Your municipality usually arranges and pays for your integration course. You'll also often get your first exam attempts covered, as long as you put in sufficient effort.

Other migrants and the DUO loan

Are you a family migrant or another "other migrant"? Then you often pay for your course and exams yourself. You can apply for a loan from DUO for this, which you pay back later.

Fine for missing your deadline

Don't complete your integration within the deadline, without a valid reason? Then DUO can impose a fine. Do you have a good reason (such as illness or waiting times)? Then apply for an extension in time.

Please note

Amounts and arrangements change regularly. Always check current costs and loan conditions on inburgeren.nl before applying or paying for anything.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays for my integration course?

For asylum status holders, usually the municipality. Other migrants often pay themselves, possibly via a loan from DUO.

What happens if I don't meet the deadline?

Without a valid reason, DUO can impose a fine. With a valid reason (such as illness), you can apply for an extension.

Do I have to pay back the DUO loan?

Yes, a loan from DUO must be paid back — you can request the conditions from DUO.

Sources

inburgeren.nl (DUO)(official)Rijksoverheid — Wet inburgering 2021(official)

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