It is once again going to be managed by the municipalities

Under the new civic integration system, municipalities are in charge of the implementation of the civic integration process. This means that people who have to integrate are no longer responsible for choosing their own language school. Municipalities are responsible for guiding and supporting people who have to integrate throughout their civic integration. Nonetheless, the responsibility for complying with the civic integration requirement resides with the people who have to integrate.

The introduction of learning pathways

The new civic integration programme consists of three pathways: the B1 Pathway, the Education Pathway and the Self-Reliance Pathway. This allows it to be aligned with the abilities, aptitude for learning and personal situation of people who have to integrate. Would you like to find out more about the pathways? Click here to read more.

The language level of the civic integration exam has been raised to B1

Are you taking the B1 Pathway or the Education Pathway? Then you need to take a language exam at B1 level or above. This is not the case for the Self-Reliance Pathway; you conclude this pathway by taking part in a final interview in the municipality where you live.

The group of people who have to integrate has been expanded

The target group for the new Civic Integration Act is the same as for the former Act, but has been expanded to include:

·         All foreign nationals from 16 years to retirement age (67 years) who settle in the Netherlands for a non-temporary purpose

·         All new Turkish arrivals

·         Ministers of religion

Source: Divosa, 2020. Overview of the changes in the new Civic Integration Act