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The Portuguese citizenship language test: what A2 means and how to prove it

Last checked: 18 October 2026 · Not legal advice

If you want Portuguese nationality, or permanent residence, you have to show that you can get by in Portuguese. The level is modest, A2 on the European scale, but the rules changed in 2026. This page sums up what the law says today, the ways to prove your Portuguese, and how to prepare.

This is a summary to help you find your way, not legal advice. Rules and procedures change: always check the official sources linked at the end, or ask IRN, AIMA or a lawyer about your own case.

What changed in 2026

The nationality law was reformed by Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, published in the Diário da República on 18 May 2026. It came into force the next day, 19 May 2026. For naturalisation through residence, the main changes are:

  • Longer residence. Most applicants now need 10 years of legal residence. Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and of the EU need 7 years. Before the reform it was 5 years for everyone.
  • Waiting time no longer counts. The 2024 rule that counted the time spent waiting for your first residence permit was removed. Separate periods of legal residence can be added up, within limits.
  • More than language. You must now prove, by test or certificate, enough knowledge of the Portuguese language and of Portuguese culture, history and national symbols. You also need to know the basic rights and duties of citizens and how the state is organised, and to declare your commitment to the rule of law.
  • Pending applications. Applications that were already pending on 19 May 2026 are decided under the old rules.

The law gave the government 90 days to update the nationality regulation and say how the new culture and civics part is proved. When we last checked (18 October 2026) we could not find that update published, so the format of any culture or civics test is not known yet. The language part works as before.

Why A2?

Portugal treats level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) as “sufficient knowledge” of Portuguese for nationality. The University of Lisbon’s exam centre, CAPLE, also states that its A2 exam, CIPLE, is the minimum level for nationality. So an A1 certificate is not enough.

In everyday terms, A2 means you can handle simple, routine situations. You can introduce yourself and your family, shop, ask for directions, make an appointment, understand short notices and messages, and talk briefly about your work and your past. It is a level many people reach in a few months of steady practice.

Ways to prove your Portuguese

The nationality regulation accepts several kinds of proof. The most common are:

  • CIPLE (A2) from CAPLE at the University of Lisbon, the international exam most people take (details below).
  • The state language test for nationality, held at public schools in Portugal and at accredited centres abroad.
  • A PLA course certificate at A2 or higher. These are Português Língua de Acolhimento courses for immigrants (see below).
  • An A2 or higher certificate from a public school or an IEFP training centre.
  • Portuguese at school. A certificate showing you studied Portuguese at a Portuguese school, or went to school in a Portuguese-speaking country.

Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries are presumed to meet the language part, unless it is obvious that they don’t. People aged 60 or over who can’t read or write, and people with certain health problems or disabilities, can take a test adapted to them, for example speaking only.

CIPLE in a nutshell

  • Level: A2. Run by: CAPLE, part of the Faculty of Letters of the University of Lisbon. Certificates don’t expire.
  • Parts: reading and writing (1 h 15, 45% of the mark), listening (30 min, 30%) and speaking (about 15 min, usually in pairs, 25%). About two hours in total.
  • Pass mark: 55%. The grades are Suficiente (55–69%), Bom (70–84%) and Muito Bom (85–100%).
  • Fee: €95 (checked October 2026). You must be at least 16.
  • When and where: about 100 centres in 35 countries, with international sessions in May, July and November and extra sessions in Portugal. Registration closes several weeks before each session, and results take roughly two months, so plan ahead with the calendar on CAPLE’s website.

CAPLE describes CIPLE through everyday tasks, not a word list. Examples include reading notices, timetables, menus and medicine instructions, filling in a form, writing a short note, giving personal details, renting a room, shopping and paying, health, the post office and the bank, invitations, phone messages and emergencies. Our CIPLE A2 vocabulary page groups the words for these topics.

PLA courses: often the free route

Português Língua de Acolhimento (PLA) courses are run for immigrants by public schools, IEFP training centres and Centros Qualifica. According to AIMA, most of them are free. Each route (A1 + A2, or B1 + B2) is up to 150 hours, for people aged 16 and over. A certificate at A2 or higher counts as proof of Portuguese for permanent residence, long-term resident status and nationality, so you don’t need a separate exam.

Permanent residence

For a permanent residence permit, the foreigners’ law asks for basic Portuguese. AIMA, the agency that replaced SEF in October 2023, accepts among other things a CAPLE certificate, an A2 or higher PLA certificate, a basic Portuguese course from IEFP or a recognised school, or Portuguese schooling. The 2025 and 2026 changes to the foreigners’ law did not change this requirement.

How to prepare

  1. Learn European Portuguese, the Portuguese spoken in Portugal. The exam and the people you’ll live with use it, and Brazilian Portuguese differs in pronouns, verb forms and everyday words. See European vs Brazilian Portuguese.
  2. Build the A1–A2 basics: introductions, numbers and times, family, home, directions, shopping, health, work and the past tense.
  3. Practise listening a lot. Spoken European Portuguese swallows vowels, and listening is 30% of CIPLE.
  4. Say things out loud: the speaking part is a short conversation, usually with another candidate.
  5. Book the exam early, or sign up for a PLA course, and allow two months for results.

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