Civic Integration in the City of Leeuwarden
Are you new to the Netherlands and coming to live in the City of Leeuwarden? Welcome! Civil integration involves learning to speak, listen, read and write in Dutch. You will also learn how Dutch people live and work. This is a government requirement. It is laid down in the Civil Integration Act. You will also be introduced to Dutch and Frisian culture. If you pass your civic integration exam, you will receive an integration certificate.
Civic Integration prior to 2013
Did you obtain your residence permit before 1 January 2013? And have not yet passed your civic integration exam? Contact the City of Leeuwarden.
Civic integration between 2013 and 2022
Did you obtain your residence permit after 1 January 2013? And are you required to complete the civic integration process? If so, you will receive a letter from the Education Executive Agency (DUO). That letter will give your start date for civic integration. You are responsible for your own civic integration. You have 3 years for your civic integration.
Civic integration on or after 1 January 2022
The City of Leeuwarden will help you pass your civic integration exam. You have 3 years for your civic integration.
How is the civic integration programme shaped?
This is explained in the following video:
- ‘Welcome to Leeuwarden’ in Dutch.
- ‘Welcome to Leeuwarden’ in Arabic.
- ‘Welcome to Leeuwarden’ in English.
- ‘Welcome to Leeuwarden’ in Tigrinya.
Start civic integration with guidance from the City of Leeuwarden
We start with an introduction as soon as you have somewhere to live. This introduction is also known as ‘the broad intake’. You will meet your integration consultant who will help you.
How to get a home is explained in the following video:
- ‘Looking for a social rental home’ in Dutch.
- ‘Looking for social rental home’in Farsi.
- ‘Looking for social rental home’ in Turkish.
- ‘Looking for a social rental home’ in Persian.
- ‘Looking for a social rental home’ in English.
- ‘Looking for social rental home’ in Arabic.
We would like to know what you did in your country of origin, what your dreams and wishes are and we will tell you about what is possible in the Netherlands. After the broad intake, you and your counsellor will decide which integration route best suits you.
The Plan for Integration and Participation Plan (PIP)
Together with you, the local authority will decide which integration route best suits you. We call this decision the Plan for Integration and Participation (PIP). This plan sets out what you will do for your civic integration. Once the local authority has prepared your PIP, you will receive a letter from DUO. The letter will tell you when your civic integration period officially starts and by when you must finish it.
Besides the integration route in which you learn the language, we help you arrange practical matters such as finding a GP, getting to know your living environment and support you with money matters.
More information and assistance
Would you like to meet more people and participate in social and cultural activities?
Visit Onze Familie (Our Family). More information can be found on the website of Stjoer.
More information about civic integration?
You can find this on the Inburgeren website.
Do you have any general questions? For example, about your mail, forms or healthcare?
Contact your Neighbourhood Team.
Do you need help with housing, starting your civic integration, participation and integration?
Contact The Council for Refugees.
Do you have questions about your asylum application or residence permit?
Contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
Would you like to speak to someone from the City of Leeuwarden?
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.
Civic Integration prior to 2013
Did you obtain your residence permit before 1 January 2013? And have not yet passed your civic integration exam? Contact the City of Leeuwarden.
Civic integration between 2013 and 2022
Did you obtain your residence permit after 1 January 2013? And are you required to complete the civic integration process? If so, you will receive a letter from the Education Executive Agency (DUO). That letter will give your start date for civic integration. You are responsible for your own civic integration. You have 3 years for your civic integration.
Civic integration on or after 1 January 2022
The City of Leeuwarden will help you pass your civic integration exam. You have 3 years for your civic integration.
How is the civic integration programme shaped?
This is explained in the following video:
- ‘Welcome to Leeuwarden’ in Dutch.
- ‘Welcome to Leeuwarden’ in Arabic.
- ‘Welcome to Leeuwarden’ in English.
- ‘Welcome to Leeuwarden’ in Tigrinya.
Start civic integration with guidance from the City of Leeuwarden
We start with an introduction as soon as you have somewhere to live. This introduction is also known as ‘the broad intake’. You will meet your integration consultant who will help you.
How to get a home is explained in the following video:
- ‘Looking for a social rental home’ in Dutch.
- ‘Looking for social rental home’in Farsi.
- ‘Looking for social rental home’ in Turkish.
- ‘Looking for a social rental home’ in Persian.
- ‘Looking for a social rental home’ in English.
- ‘Looking for social rental home’ in Arabic.
We would like to know what you did in your country of origin, what your dreams and wishes are and we will tell you about what is possible in the Netherlands. After the broad intake, you and your counsellor will decide which integration route best suits you.
The Plan for Integration and Participation Plan (PIP)
Together with you, the local authority will decide which integration route best suits you. We call this decision the Plan for Integration and Participation (PIP). This plan sets out what you will do for your civic integration. Once the local authority has prepared your PIP, you will receive a letter from DUO. The letter will tell you when your civic integration period officially starts and by when you must finish it.
Besides the integration route in which you learn the language, we help you arrange practical matters such as finding a GP, getting to know your living environment and support you with money matters.
More information and assistance
Would you like to meet more people and participate in social and cultural activities?
Visit Onze Familie (Our Family). More information can be found on the website of Stjoer.
More information about civic integration?
You can find this on the Inburgeren website.
Do you have any general questions? For example, about your mail, forms or healthcare?
Contact your Neighbourhood Team.
Do you need help with housing, starting your civic integration, participation and integration?
Contact The Council for Refugees.
Do you have questions about your asylum application or residence permit?
Contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
Would you like to speak to someone from the City of Leeuwarden?
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.