European Portuguese guides

What you need to know to learn the Portuguese spoken in Portugal — and to pass the exam the nationality application asks for. Every fact is linked to its source.

• How to learn European Portuguese as an English speakerHow to learn European Portuguese if you live in Portugal: what A1 to B2 mean in practice, realistic hours, the hard sounds, and how to choose courses and tutors.
• The CIPLE A2 exam: what it is and how to pass itThe CIPLE A2 exam explained: who runs it, the three papers, timings, weighting and pass mark, the fee, 2026 dates, results, and a 12-week plan from A1.
• The language requirement for Portuguese citizenshipThe Portuguese citizenship language requirement after the 2026 law: who must prove A2, which certificates count, who is exempt, and the new culture test.
• European vs Brazilian Portuguese: what actually differsEuropean vs Brazilian Portuguese: how the sound, forms of address, grammar, everyday words and spelling differ, with examples, and why it matters in Portugal.
• Learning Portuguese as an expat family in PortugalLearning Portuguese as an expat family: how kids pick it up at a Portuguese school, the PLNM support they get, free adult PLA classes, and practicing together.