Explore topics on culture, integration, and professional development in the Netherlands. Discover practical advice and real experiences to transform your life.
Sign up for free to access exclusive articles, complete guides, and premium content
If you are living in the Netherlands or planning to move soon, you have probably already heard about Inburgering (the civic integration process). However, there is news that many Spanish-speaking professionals still do not know: the Knowledge of Dutch Society exam (KNM) changed radically from July 2025, and these changes apply throughout 2026.
If you live in the Netherlands or are planning to move soon, you have probably already heard about Inburgering, the civic integration process. But there is something many Spanish-speaking professionals still do not know: the KNM 2026 exam, Knowledge of Dutch Society, changed completely from July 2025, and this new format applies throughout 2026.
*Kingsday is the perfect moment to dive into music, culture, food, and the orange joy that fills every street in the country.*
The real ROI of learning Dutch in the Netherlands
The inburgering, or civic integration, process is a legal requirement in the Netherlands for many non-EU immigrants. It is designed to help newcomers integrate into Dutch society and culminates in a series of exams that assess Dutch language proficiency, understanding of Dutch society, and knowledge of the Dutch labour market. For Spanish speakers from non-EU countries, this journey can be especially challenging. What follows is an overview from day one through to passing the exams, including the reasons why this path can be particularly difficult for citizens from outside the EU.
Originally from the Peruvian city of Trujillo, Claudia moved to Amsterdam in the mid-2000s to work as an au pair. She is now an event organiser, hosts the popular Instagram series Latina in the Netherlands, sees herself as an immigrant, and is still amazed by how calm Dutch traffic is.
Most companies underestimate this.
Why a Dutch Language Course Is the Perfect Gift This Christmas
Why a Dutch Course Is the Perfect Gift This Christmas
Join thousands of students who are already living the life they always dreamed of in the Netherlands