Long stay expats concerned over review of Dutch language requirements

Much to the relief of a good number of expats in the Netherlands, the Dutch government is now planning to overhaul their Dutch language requirements.

At the present time, new expat arrivals aiming at permanent residency are forced to search out Dutch language and other relevant courses in order to pass the Inburguringsexamen examination necessary to integrate fully into the country. In order to afford the courses, immigrants can request a maximum government-provided loan of 10,000 euros. Even Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Wouter Koolmees had to admit the scheme was unworkable as navigating the various courses without some fluency in Dutch as a non-starter for most expats. Also, he said, expats are at risk of falling foul of dodgy agencies.

Starting in 2020, the minister wants to turn the entire process on its head by relinquishing control in favour of the country’s municipalities. Whatever the reason being given for full integration into the Netherlands, expats should be able to take advantage of personalised plans as well as arranged and locally financed lessons in the Dutch language. Loans will no longer be available as local authorities will be responsible for course payments.

The goal of the changes is to ensure expats are working as soon as possible and learning Dutch as they go. Newcomers hoping to become long-stayers in the Netherlands are still to be held responsible for ensuring they become fluent in the language within three years of arrival, by which time they should be able to pass the Civic Integration examination. Those who’ve not taken this seriously may risk losing their right to an extension of their residency permits. Skilled migrants hoping to be able to stay long-term in the country are concerned as to how the new scheme may affect them, especially as a number are UK citizens whose future in the Netherlands after Brexit is still under threat.