If your inburgering obligation falls under the 2021 Civic Integration Act, the standard target is B1, not A2. That means a course that stops at A2 leaves you short of the level the exam assumes, so choose a provider that explicitly teaches and prepares for B1. Below is how the main options on our list compare for that specific job, and who each one does and does not suit.
First, check which level actually applies to you
Inburgering under the 2021 Act, with obligations from 1 January 2022, sets the standard route at B1: reading, listening, writing and speaking plus KNM. A municipality can allow A2 after substantial effort. Older obligations used A2. If you are unsure which applies, check the official source rather than guessing, because it changes what course you should buy.
Naturalisation is a separate matter. The language requirement there is A2 in 2026, with a move to B1 planned but no confirmed start date. Do not assume a B1 course is wasted if you only need A2 for a passport; it is simply more than the minimum.
The official starting points
Inburgeringsexamen (DUO) is the exam itself, listed at A2 and B1. It is not a course, so it does not teach you anything, but it is where you confirm what you are preparing for. Fit score 88/100.
inburgeren.nl is the DUO portal with test information, exam booking, study materials and information on DUO loans. Use it to orient before you pay a school. It covers A1 to B1 but is a reference point, not a classroom. Fit score 85/100.
DUO - Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs handles student finance, inburgering loans, exam registration and integration paperwork. Relevant if financing shapes your choice. Check DUO directly for what you may borrow; we do not list amounts. Fit score 80/100.
Schools that go past A2
TopTaal NT2 Expert BV is a practical NT2 and inburgering specialist, Blik op Werk certified, with locations in Amsterdam and other cities, online and in person, at A1 to B2. It fits a learner who wants a structured inburgering trajectory aimed at B1 and prefers a recognised provider. It does not fit someone who wants self-study only or cannot commit to scheduled classes. Fit score 84/100.
Hamrah Taalschool Rotterdam covers A1 to B2 in Rotterdam, online and in person, with NT2 preparation and business Dutch. Good if you are in or near Rotterdam and want one school for both inburgering-level Dutch and workplace language. Less suitable if you live far from Rotterdam and need an in-person option elsewhere. Fit score 82/100.
Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering is the Flemish agency, with around 70 locations across Flanders plus Brussels, routing adults to NT2 courses and inburgering trajectories at A0 to B2. It fits learners in Flanders and Brussels. It is not the route for someone integrating in the Netherlands, since the framework and exams differ. Fit score 84/100.
Checking quality and self-study
Blik op Werk Quality Mark is the independent Dutch quality certification for inburgering schools, and all government-funded schools must hold it. Use it to check a school before enrolling. It is a mark, not a course. Fit score 82/100.
StroopTaal is an AI-powered app with real-life scenarios up to B1, useful for inburgering and NT2 preparation. It suits someone building vocabulary and listening between lessons, or testing whether self-study works for them. It does not replace a taught B1 course if you need speaking practice and correction. Fit score 81/100.
Comparison
| Option | Type | Levels | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TopTaal NT2 Expert BV | School | A1 to B2 | Online, in person | Structured B1 inburgering trajectory |
| Hamrah Taalschool Rotterdam | School | A1 to B2 | Online, in person | Rotterdam learners wanting NT2 prep |
| Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering | Government | A0 to B2 | Online, in person | Learners in Flanders and Brussels |
| StroopTaal | App | A0 to B1 | Online | Self-study between lessons |
| inburgeren.nl | Government | A1 to B1 | Online | Exam info and orientation |
Fit scores in our listings: TopTaal 84/100, Hamrah 82/100, Agentschap 84/100, StroopTaal 81/100, inburgeren.nl 85/100. These are editorial, not user ratings.
How to choose
Start with your municipality's decision on your route, then pick a provider that lists B1 explicitly and can show Blik op Werk certification if it is government-funded. Ask the provider directly about price, schedule and group size; we do not publish those. If you want a tutor instead of a class, browse Dutch tutors and note that Verified Pro on this site means a tutor with 3,000+ lessons and a 4.9+ rating on their platform. For exam-specific preparation see NT2 prep and the inburgering section. If you are still deciding, the path finder and the full directory help narrow it down, and cities shows what is available locally.
How we know this: the options come from The Dutch Directory listings checked on 2026-11-13, and fit scores are editorial, not user ratings.