Inburgering · Updated 2026-10-20
How much does the KNM exam cost? (and how to book it)
If you are preparing for the Dutch civic integration exam, one of the first practical questions is: how much does KNM cost, and do I have to pay? The short answer from DUO's official site: the Knowledge of Dutch Society exam (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij) is €50 per attempt. Whether you actually pay that amount depends on your personal situation under the Wet inburgering 2021 or 2013. This guide walks through the official prices, free vs paid attempts, how to book via Mijn Inburgering, exam length, and how to prepare so you do not waste a paid attempt.
Unofficial study guide by Lotus & Tulip. We are not affiliated with DUO, Cito or the Dutch government. Prices and rules can change. Always check inburgeren.nl and your own status in Mijn Inburgering before you book or pay. Lees deze pagina in het Nederlands.
On this page: What the exam is · Official prices · Free vs paid attempts · How to book · Duration · Prep tips · Cost scenarios · After you book · FAQ · Sources
What the KNM exam is
KNM is the knowledge exam about Dutch society. You take it on a computer. DUO describes it as organised by themes, for example wonen (housing) or werk en inkomen (work and income), and you answer questions under each theme. The exam lasts 45 minutes.[1]
Since 1 July 2025 the exam follows revised objectives: more knowledge questions, photos instead of long introduction videos, and extra attention to topics such as the Holocaust and women's self-determination. Our overview is here: KNM exam 2025 changes explained. For what each of the eight themes covers, see KNM exam themes explained.
Which exams you personally must take, and at which language level, is shown in Mijn Inburgering. Do not assume your path from a friend's path; check your own file.[2][3]
Official exam prices (checked 2026-10-20)
DUO publishes exam fees on the Inburgeren betalen page. Under the Wet inburgering 2021 price tables, the amounts are:[3]
| Exam | Amount |
|---|---|
| Schrijven (Writing) | €50 |
| Spreken (Speaking) | €50 |
| Luisteren (Listening) | €50 |
| Lezen (Reading) | €50 |
| Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM) | €50 |
| Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt (ONA): only if your path includes it | €40 |
DUO also shows path totals on the same page:[3]
- Asielstatushouder path (Wet 2021 table): five exams at €50 each → €250 total if all were paid (Schrijven, Spreken, Luisteren, Lezen, KNM). The Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie (MAP) is done at the municipality and is free.
- Path that includes ONA: the four language exams + KNM at €50 each, plus ONA at €40 → €290 total. DUO's exam page says ONA applies only under the Wet 2013 or if you integrate voluntarily; under the Wet 2021 you do not take ONA.[1]
So for KNM alone, the published fee is €50 per attempt. Course fees are separate and vary by school; ask the school what the course costs.[3]
When KNM is free vs when you pay
The €50 figure is the exam fee. Whether you pay it depends on your status and how many attempts you have already used. DUO's rules under the Wet 2021 include:[3]
If you are an asielstatushouder (asylum status holder)
- The municipality pays for your course.
- The first 2 attempts of each exam are free: unless you sit the exam at a lower level than the one in your PIP (Persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie). A higher level is allowed.
- If you need more than 2 attempts, you pay for the extras yourself. You cannot borrow from DUO for those extra attempts.
- If you pass the first time, you may still retake at a higher level.
If you are not an asielstatushouder (for example a family migrant)
- You can pay for the course and exams yourself, or
- Borrow from DUO, but only for approved schools.
Wet 2013 rules and older start dates can differ. If you are unsure which law applies to you, or whether an attempt counts as free, open Mijn Inburgering and read your own path. Do not rely on a blog table alone.[3]
How to book the KNM exam
For KNM (and for ONA or an A2 language exam), DUO's registration page says:[2][4]
- Log in to Mijn Inburgering with DigiD.
- Choose the date and place of the exam.
After you register, you receive a confirmation by email and by letter.[2][4]
If DigiD / Mijn Inburgering login fails
Use the paper form Aanmelding inburgeringsexamen (or the ONA portfolio form if that is what you need). Links to the PDFs are on the official registering page.[2]
Changing date, cancelling, and lead time
- You can change place or date in Mijn Inburgering until 1 week before the exam.[2]
- You can cancel until 1 week before the exam and get your money back (when you paid).[2]
- Register well in advance: it can take more than 6 weeks before you can sit the exam.[2]
- If you registered in Mijn Inburgering, the date also appears there; one week before the exam DUO sends a letter with place, date and time.[2]
- If you registered with a form, DUO sends a letter within 3 weeks after you paid, with place, date and time.[2]
Official pages: Dutch Aanmelden examen · English Registering for an exam.
How long the exam takes
The KNM exam lasts 45 minutes on the computer.[1] Build that into your practice: when you sit DUO's free practice exams, time yourself to 45 minutes on a desktop if you can. DUO recommends a desktop for practice; on a phone or tablet, turn it sideways.[5]
Tips so you do not waste a paid attempt
Even when an attempt is free, failing still costs time and may push you onto a paid third try. A simple order of work:
- Confirm your personal path in Mijn Inburgering (which exams, which level, how many free attempts left).[2][3]
- Do DUO's free official KNM practice exams on the practising page before you book a date you cannot easily move.[5]
- Map weak themes with our 8 themes guide and drill words with the 114-word vocabulary list.
- Follow a short study plan so booking and study line up: 4-week KNM study plan.
- Add bilingual drills with our 12 free practice questions with answers or the free interactive KNM quiz (20 questions, scored instantly), then the free sampler / full pack below if you want more volume.
- Book early (6+ weeks lead time is normal), then keep practising until the letter week.[2]
If your materials are from before mid-2025, keep the theme names but switch to the new official practice exams and knowledge-focused questions. See what changed in 2025.
Three common cost scenarios (plain English)
These are illustrations based on DUO's published Wet 2021 rules, not a personal assessment. Always confirm in Mijn Inburgering.[3]
- Asylum status holder, first KNM attempt, correct PIP level: the attempt is free. The municipality already covers your course. Your job is preparation, not payment.
- Asylum status holder, third KNM attempt: you pay the €50 fee yourself for that extra attempt, and DUO says you cannot use a DUO loan for those extras.[3] This is why timed practice before attempt two matters.
- Family migrant (not asielstatushouder): you either pay the €50 yourself or arrange a DUO loan that can only be used at approved schools.[3] Course fees are still separate.
If your start date falls under Wet 2013, or your PIP level differs from the exam you want to sit, the free-attempt rules can look different. When in doubt, read the Wet 2013 tab on the same payment page and your own Mijn Inburgering overview before you book.[3]
After you book: what to expect
Once registration succeeds in Mijn Inburgering, treat the confirmation email and the later letter as your source of truth for place, date and time.[2][4] Put the 1-week change/cancel deadline in your calendar. If life happens and you need another day, change it in Mijn Inburgering before that deadline, after it, DUO only promises a refund for cancellations made at least 1 week before the exam.[2]
Use the waiting time (often several weeks) for study, not for starting from zero the week of the letter. A practical rhythm:
- Weeks far from the date: one full DUO practice exam under 45-minute conditions, then theme repair with our themes guide and vocab list.
- Middle weeks: second official practice exam, bilingual drills from the free question set, and Netinnederland subject videos that DUO recommends on the practising page.[5]
- Final week: light review only (organisation names, healthcare pathway, capital vs government seat, 4 May / 5 May) and check travel time to the exam location from DUO's letter.
For a day-by-day calendar that already includes booking and results timing, use the 4-week KNM study plan. Waiting for your result, or planning a resit? See KNM exam results: pass mark, timing and resits.
FAQ
Is the KNM exam always €50?
The published fee is €50 per attempt.[3] Asylum status holders under Wet 2021 usually get the first two attempts of each exam free (with the PIP-level exception above). Others pay themselves or may use a DUO loan at approved schools. Your Mijn Inburgering file is the authority for your case.
Does the €250 or €290 total include the course?
No. Those totals on DUO's page are sums of the listed exam fees. Course prices are separate and set by schools.[3]
Can I borrow from DUO for a third KNM attempt?
For asielstatushouders under Wet 2021, DUO says extra attempts after the first two must be paid by you, and you cannot borrow from DUO for those extras.[3]
How do I book if DigiD does not work?
Use the paper registration form linked from the official aanmelden / registering page, then wait for DUO's letter with date, time and place.[2][4]
How long is the exam?
45 minutes, computer-based, by themes.[1]
Where can I practise for free before paying for materials?
Start with DUO's official practice exams on inburgeren.nl.[5] Then use our free sampler and free blog questions. Paid practice packs are optional extras, not official exams.
Lotus & Tulip makes unofficial practice material. We are not affiliated with DUO, Cito or the Dutch government. Fees, free-attempt rules and booking steps can change, always verify on the official sites below and in Mijn Inburgering.
Sources
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Kennisexamens (KNM computer-based, themes, 45 minutes), checked 2026-10-20
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Aanmelden examen (Mijn Inburgering booking, email + letter confirmation, paper form, 1-week change/cancel, 6+ weeks lead time), checked 2026-10-20
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Inburgeren betalen (KNM €50; language exams €50; ONA €40; asielstatushouder path €250; other path with ONA €290; Wet 2021 free first 2 attempts), checked 2026-10-20
- DUO / inburgeren.nl (EN): Registering for an exam, checked 2026-10-20
- DUO / inburgeren.nl (EN): Practising for the exam (free official practice exams; desktop tip)
Checked against the sources above on 20 October 2026. General study guidance, not legal advice. Related reading: KNM exam themes · vocabulary list · 4-week study plan · practice questions · free KNM quiz · 2025 changes · KNM exam results & resits · KNM-examen kosten (Nederlands).