From compulsory integration to voluntary integration: How can I switch?
Friday 24 October 2025
The Netherlands has two very different routes for expats to integrate: compulsory integration and voluntary integration (both terms refer to "inburgeren"). If you fall under the compulsory integration regime, your local authority will actively assist you with your integration, you will have to attend a number of appointments and meetings, and you will usually have to learn Dutch to language level B1. Not everyone is comfortable with this. Are you voluntarily working on your integration instead? Then you are completely free to choose if, how and when you want to take part in the integration. Moreover, in your case, Dutch language proficiency at language level A2 is currently sufficient to be considered integrated successfully. Voluntary integration participants therefore have an advantage on all caunts, which may seem unfair to compulsory integration participants, especially those who have difficulty learning Dutch, or experience stress. However, compulsory integration is not truly unavoidable in all cases. There are many situations in which you can switch from compulsory integration to voluntary integration yourself. Your local authority will certainly not actively point this out to you – they will assist you with your integration but will not give you legal advice. So you really have to take action yourself. In this article, experienced solicitor Arend van Rosmalen LL.M., partner at Orion Immigration Law, explains when and how you can switch from compulsory integration to voluntary integration.
Compulsory integration versus voluntary integration
For many years, the Netherlands has distinguished between compulsory and voluntary integration. However, since 1 January 2022, the content of the integration programme and the required level of Dutch language proficiency have changed significantly for those who are required to do the integration, while everything has remained the same for those who integrate voluntarily. Since then, two groups of expats in the Netherlands have been treated completely differently with regard to their integration. Below is a summary of the key differences.
Compulsory integration
- Your local authority obliges you:
- to participate in a so-called “broad intake” at your local authority.
- to abide by a “personal integration and participation plan” (PIP) which your local authority will determine for you. If you disagree with their plan for you, you must lodge a formal objection.
- to complete a “participation declaration process” (PVT) with mandatory presence during several sessions
- Your local authority will actively keep in touch with you about your progress. You must cooperate with this.
- You must usually follow your compulsory education at a training provider contracted by your local authority (even if you do not feel comfortable with this provider).
- The language level is set by your local authority. Usually the language proficiency level is B1.
- You must complete your integration within 3 years or explicitly be granted extra time by your local authority.
- Failure to co-operate, be present when required, pass exams on time etc. can quickly cause the imposition of fines of several hundreds of euros per item you failed to comply with.
Voluntary integration
- There are no obligations to attend any meetings, and the local authority does not require your presence at any particular appointment
- You are free to choose your own education provider.
- The language proficiency level is always A2.
- There is no term within which you must complete the integration.
- There are no sanctions for failure to co-operate. Integration is voluntary.
Who is required to do integration, and who is not?
The Integration Act 2021 specifies exactly who is required to integrate, and this depends on your right of residence in the Netherlands. Would you like to switch from compulsory integration to voluntary integration? Then you can keep the following general rules in mind:
- EU citizens in the Netherlands are not required to integrate. This also applies to some family members.
- Family members of Dutch nationals are also not required to integrate if they derive their right of residence from EU law. Caring parents of Dutch children may be eligible for this. The same applies to partners who have lived with a Dutch national for a considerable period of time in another Member State of the European Union.
- Beneficiaries of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement are not required to integrate. This sometimes also applies to family members of British citizens in the Netherlands who did not themselves live in the Netherlands before Brexit.
- Beneficiaries of the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) are not required to integrate. This also applies to their family members as long as the sponsor does not change his or her residence permit.
- Those with a residence permit for a so-called “temporary purpose of stay” are also not required to integrate. This also applies to dependent family members. The following are eligible for this:
- Study migrants
- Highly Skilled Migrants
- Regular employment-based migrants
- Holders of a European Blue Card
- Holders of a search year
- Scientific researchers
- Self-employed entrepreneurs, including artists and holders of a start-up visa
Switching from compulsory integration to voluntary integration
Once you have become subject to compulsory integration, you can end your integration obligation by applying for a change to your residence permit. The integration obligation automatically lapses as soon as your residence permit has been changed, provided that your new residence permit grants you an exception. Three examples illustrate this:
Example 1: sponsor with a permanent right of residence
A South African couple comes to the Netherlands for work. One of the partners is a Highly Skilled Migrant, the other has a residence permit as a family member. When the Highly Skilled Migrant acquires a permanent right of residence, the partner – who had not yet passed the integration exam and who was not required to do so until that point – automatically becomes subject to compulsory integration. However, if this partner also has a job, and if a work-related residence permit could be applied for on the basis of that job, that would change the picture. Such an application effectively stops the integration being compulsory. The partner can continue with voluntary integration.
Example 2: Partner of a naturalised Dutch citizen
Two Indian partners reside together in the Netherlands: one as an entrepreneur and the other as a dependent family member. When the entrepreneur obtains Dutch nationality (in order to be able to take on more flexible work in Germany), the other partner automatically becomes subject to compulsory integration. However, if the (newly naturalised) Dutch partner engages in economic activities in Germany, he or she makes use of the free movement of persons. The partner in the Netherlands can then derive a right of residence from EU law, which does not require integration. This application also immediately terminates the integration being a compulsory requirement.
Example 3: DAFT as an integration escape
An American couple has been living in the Netherlands for years. One of the spouses works for an international organisation in The Hague; the other is a dependent family member. One of the partners obtains a permanent residence permit. The other has not yet passed the integration exam – and, as a so-called “privileged” person, was not obliged to do so. He now applies for a partner residence permit. Although this permit is granted, after some time both partners realise that this also entails compulsory integration. For American citizens who wish to return to voluntary integration, the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty may offer a solution. If the partner obtains a residence permit on the basis of this treaty, the integration obligation immediately lapses.
Are there any pitfalls to avoid?
There are dozens of examples like the ones above. These examples show that in fairly everyday situations, the compulsory integration requirement can often be terminated by an effective change in residence permit. However, although this immediately terminates the integration requirement, it does not immediately apply to the integration period. The integration legislation stipulates that the same period continues to apply if you were subject to voluntary integration for only a very short time and then become subject to compulsory integration again. This applies to periods of time shorter than one year. So, are you changing your residence permit in order to escape the compulsory integration requirement? Then make sure you keep or extend your new residence permit for at least one whole year.
Conclusion
Switching from the compulsory to the voluntary integration regime offers expats more flexibility and advantages. By making use of EU law or a temporary purpose of stay, you can stop your compulsory integration obligation and decide for yourself (again) whether, how and when you wish to integrate.
For personal advice, you can schedule a consultation with Orion Immigration Law. We are happy to help you find the best solution for your situation.
Arend van Rosmalen LL.M.
Arend van Rosmalen LL.M. is a partner and co-founder of Orion Immigration Law. He advises both business clients and private individuals. Arend advises and assists with applications, but is also a highly experienced litigator. Arend has represented clients in Dutch objection and (higher) appeal cases, and has even appeared before the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
