Participation declaration process

You are integrating in the Netherlands. You follow a course for this. This is called a participation declaration process. When you have learned enough, put your signature on a piece of paper. We call this paper the participation statement. It is compulsory for the civic integration exam.

What do you need to know

  • The municipality will send you a letter
  • The letter states how, where and when you can learn what is important in the Netherlands in a short course (workshop)
  • The Netherlands Council for Refugees will give the workshop. There you learn about the norms and values. For example: everyone is equal, everyone can choose their own religion, everyone can go to school
  • When you have learned enough, put your signature on a piece of paper. We call this paper the participation statement. You declare that you want to actively participate in Dutch society. And that you respect what is important in the Netherlands
  • The municipality indicates Department of Implementation and Education (DUO) by signing the participation statement
  • If you do not complete the participation declaration process, you will be fined by DUO. You can no longer borrow money from DUO
  • After about 3 weeks you can enter My Civic Integration see that you have signed the statement. You have for this DigiD necessary

Mandatory for

If you had to start civic integration on or after 1 October 2017, you must sign the participation statement. This is part of your integration. You must participate in the participation declaration process.

  • Status holders
  • If you came to the Netherlands for family formation or family reunification
  • If you came to the Netherlands temporarily, but can no longer return to your country of origin (non-temporary humanitarian residence status)
  • If you come to work in the Netherlands as a spiritual minister (pastor, religious teacher or missionary)

Not required for

  • Children under 18 years
  • Older people who receive AOW
  • Residents who were obliged to integrate before 1 October 2017

What do you have to do

  • You participate in the participation declaration process. In the letter from the municipality you can read whether you have to register yourself or whether you will be registered
  • If you have to integrate on or after 1 January 2022, you have 3 years
  • If you have to integrate before 1 January 2022, you have 1 year

What does it cost

  • On or after January 1, 2022: free
  • Before 1 January 2022: how much you have to pay is stated in the letter from the municipality

You will receive an invoice from the municipality. You can pay this bill to the municipality or you can pay this amount from your loan at DUO: