Patricia Casaburi If you have been legally residing in Portugal for five years or more and wish to apply for citizenship, you must show proficiency in the Portuguese language, including the ability to read, write, and understand it. While there are several ways, a common route to demonstrate your proficiency is by passing the A2-level Portugal Golden Visa Language Test and including the certificate with your citizenship application.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the Portuguese citizenship language test, including what to expect, how difficult it is, and where to take it.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide:
What is the CIPLE Portugal citizenship language test?
The Certificate of Portuguese as a Foreign Language (CIPLE), certified through the Centro de Avaliação e Certificação de Português Língua Estrangeira (CAPLE), is a popular route among expats to show proficiency in Portuguese. It is a comprehensive exam, and CAPLE is a division of Lisbon University’s Faculty of Letters. Another institution through which you can take the Portuguese language test is the Instituto de Avaliação Educativa (IAVE).
The CIPLE test is structured to evaluate the level A2 proficiency in Portuguese according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This certificate can be pursued through various accredited language institutions in Portugal and is generally accessible to learners at the start of their Portuguese language journey, confirming their ability to manage basic conversational and everyday scenarios.
Even if you are not seeking citizenship, it is a great way to test your knowledge if you are planning on relocating to Portugal or a Portuguese-speaking country.
Who has to take the Portuguese citizenship language test?
According to Portuguese legislation, anyone eligible for Portuguese nationality, including Portugal Golden Visa holders, must show proficiency in the Portuguese language. It is not mandatory to pass the CIPLE exam, as it is only one of the avenues you can use to demonstrate your language skills.
To be clear, according to the Portuguese government, alternative documents (other than the CIPLE exam) that can prove you have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language include:
- A certificate of qualification from a Portuguese public, private, or cooperative educational establishment
- A certificate of approval in a Portuguese language test
- A certificate of Portuguese as a foreign language, which is obtained by taking a test at a Portuguese assessment center recognized by the Ministry of Education through the Portuguese as a Foreign Language Assessment Centre (CAPLE)
Applicants do not have to take a language test to obtain a temporary or permanent residency permit, although they must complete it to gain citizenship and a Portuguese passport. The Portuguese language test for citizenship can be adapted for children under the age of ten and those with learning difficulties or other special needs.
People who must show proficiency in Portuguese include those who become eligible for citizenship through marriage to a Portuguese national, naturalization, and through the residency-by-investment program.
Portuguese Citizenship Language Test Requirements
The standard CIPLE exam is intended for adults and candidates generally must be 16 years or older to take the A2 Portuguese test.
For younger learners, CAPLE offers special youth versions of the exam – for example, CIPLE-e is a school-version A2 test for teenagers about 12–15 years old, and there’s even an adapted exam (TEJO) for children 8–11 years old.
Residency status: The CIPLE is designed for foreigners learning Portuguese. Non-Portuguese nationals aged 16 or above are eligible to register for the exam. There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in Portugal to take CIPLE, as any foreign candidate who meets the age requirement can sign up, regardless of their country of residence or how they learned Portuguese.
There are no special prerequisites like prior courses or lower-level exams required to register for CIPLE – you don’t need to have taken an A1 exam first (you simply need to feel prepared at the A2 level).
To register, you must provide a valid ID (such as a passport, national ID card, or residence permit) and pay the exam fee. Registration is typically done through the official CAPLE website or an authorized exam center, where you choose a test date/location and submit your identification and payment. Register before the deadline for your chosen exam session (exam sessions are held on specific dates throughout the year).
Do children need to take the CIPLE Portuguese language test?
The Regulation of the Portuguese Nationality Law states that candidates for the Portuguese language test cannot be younger than the legal age required for completing compulsory schooling on the test date.
If a child has not completed the first cycle of basic education in an educational establishment with the Portuguese curriculum, sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language can be proven by having a declaration issued by an education or teaching establishment of Portuguese.
Put simply, when the parents obtain Portuguese citizenship by residency, they can ask for citizenship for their child, provided their child is a minor attending a school in Portugal – they will not need to complete the CIPLE language exam.
What is the cut-off age for children to take a language test?
The requirement will depend on the citizenship route. For example, minors (up to 18 years of age) with Portuguese parents (even if through naturalization) will simply need to apply for citizenship, and no knowledge of the Portuguese language is required. For this specific situation, the cut-off age is 18.
What are the requirements for Golden Visa investors who do not live in Portugal?
Minor children are not required to take a language exam or attend a Portuguese school. However, they may be denied citizenship due to a lack of connection to Portugal. We advise Golden Visa applicants to include minor children in the parents’ Golden Visa application and that the children should take Portuguese classes outside Portugal to demonstrate a connection to the country and avoid the risk of the citizenship request being denied.
Preparing for the Portuguese Citizenship Language test
How to familiarize yourself with the exam
Although the Portuguese language exam is relatively simple, it is important to prepare for it to build confidence and familiarize yourself with the format to ensure you pass.
One of the most useful resources for learning Portuguese is the Instituto Camões, which promotes learning the Portuguese language internationally. Its website has a variety of useful online resources for language learners and runs a number of courses in universities and other learning centers worldwide.
Where to take the CIPLE exam
The CIPLE exam is officiated by the CAPLE (Centro de Avaliação e Certificação de Português Língua Estrangeira). It can be taken in many different CAPLE-certified language testing centers worldwide. In international test centers, the A2 CIPLE exam dates are in November, July, and May, with more dates available (CIPLE-P) within Portuguese test centers in October, September, June, and March.
What Writing the Test is Really Like
About two weeks before the exam, depending on where you take the test, you’ll receive an email indicating the exact location or classroom you must go to. You’ll most likely be required to be there around 08:30, with the test starting at 09:00. Some institutions have exams in the afternoon, starting at 15:00. The test is usually only taken once, so many people wonder what taking the Portuguese A2 language test is like.
The A2 CIPLE Portuguese language exam is two hours long and comprises three parts:
30 percent: Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of simple, short sentences and basic everyday conversation.
40 percent: In the reading comprehension test, candidates are expected to understand simple written texts, usually in informal dialogue, informative texts, news, or short stories, and answer questions relating to these texts to demonstrate comprehension. In the written exam, candidates are expected to compose a short text using everyday phrases and expressions of frequent use. This is usually a short text about yourself or others and your feelings and thoughts.
25 percent: A 10-15 minute oral expression exam is usually done with two candidates simultaneously. The oral expression test requires candidates to use simple everyday phrases with basic structures and interact on topics and images to show language proficiency.
Candidates must obtain a 55 percent or higher mark to pass.
Required documents for the CIPLE exam
You must take a passport, ID card, or residence permit to the exam.
How much does the CIPLE exam cost?
The CIPLE exam costs €72. It can be paid via MULTIBANCO (only within Portugal) or via bank transfer, and it must be completed at least 24 hours before the exam.
After the Portuguese Citizenship Language Test
After taking the Portuguese Citizenship Language Test, you usually have to wait about two weeks to receive your A2 CIPLE exam results. You’ll be notified whether you passed, achieving the required A2 level in Portuguese.
Results can often be accessed online through the institution where you took the test or through the CAPLE (Centro de Avaliação de Português Língua Estrangeira) portal if you took the CIPLE exam.
Upon passing, you’ll receive a certificate, which officially documents your A2 proficiency in Portuguese. This certificate is essential when submitting your citizenship application, as it proves you’ve met the language requirement.
The certificate is generally valid indefinitely, so you won’t need to retake the test as long as you apply within a reasonable timeframe.
With the language certificate in hand, you can include it as part of your official citizenship application. You’ll need to submit this certificate along with other required documents, which may include proof of residency, criminal background checks, and other personal identification documents.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
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We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Portuguese Citizenship Language Test
What is meant by “basic Portuguese”?
The CIPLE test for citizenship is to test that applicants have a level of “basic” Portuguese, which is to say that they understand and can use simple everyday phrases, as well as give simple explanations of themselves and others. The A2 grade is part of the Council of Europe language framework and is the second most basic knowledge level of language proficiency.
The test is not only a necessity for citizenship but also crucial for navigating life in a Portuguese-speaking country.
Do I have to take a language test to get Portuguese citizenship?
A basic A2 CIPLE language test is required to become a Portuguese national in most cases, although there are some exceptions in which Portuguese proficiency can be proved via other methods.
Who has to take the Portuguese language test?
Apart from specific circumstances, everyone must take a CIPLE Portuguese language exam to qualify for citizenship.
Those who are exempt include:
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Minors: Children under 18 generally don’t need to take the CIPLE test. However, age-appropriate alternatives are depending on their situation:
- 12-15-year-olds: These individuals can take a modified CIPLE exam called CIPLE-Jovem.
- Under 12s: The TEJO exam, offered in levels A1 to B1, is for very young children (aged 9-11).
- Those enrolled in Portuguese school: If the child is already attending school in Portugal, they may be exempt based on a written declaration from the school attesting to their proficiency.
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Those married to a Portuguese citizen: Spouses of Portuguese citizens are typically exempt from the language requirement, although specific requirements may vary depending on the length of the marriage and other factors.
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Those with an existing language qualification: If you already have a certificate proving a higher level of Portuguese proficiency (B1, B2, C1, or C2) on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale, you may not need to take the CIPLE test.
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Those with serious illness or disability: In some cases of severe illness or disability, an exemption may be granted. However, documentation and approval from a medical professional would likely be required.
It’s important to consult with the official Portuguese authorities or a qualified immigration lawyer to determine if these exceptions apply to you and what documentation you need to provide.
Do children have to take a Portuguese language test?
Under-18s do not necessarily have to take the A2 Portuguese language test. If they attend a Portuguese school, a declaration of language proficiency can be provided instead. For Golden Visa applicants, minors also are not required to take the Portuguese language test. However, we advise Golden Visa applicants to include minor children in the Golden Visa application of the parents and that the children should take Portuguese classes outside Portugal to demonstrate a connection to Portugal.
Is the Portuguese language test difficult?
The A2 level Portuguese language test for proficiency is not particularly difficult and can be passed easily with prior preparation. It is designed to test candidates’ ability to use and comprehend everyday Portuguese expressions. Doing a practice test beforehand is best to ensure that you are confident when you sit the exam. As with learning any foreign language, practice is key. We recommend doing a Portuguese language test online and/or taking online courses to prepare.
Find out more about residency and citizenship solutions in Portugal in our ultimate guide to the Portuguese Golden Visa.
Do I have to take a language test to get Portuguese citizenship?
Yes, apart from specific circumstances, everyone must take a Portuguese language proficiency test in order to get Portuguese citizenship.
How long is the Portuguese citizenship language test?
The Portuguese language test is two hours long. The longest section is dedicated to reading comprehension and writing. There are also shorter sections for oral comprehension and oral expression.
When do I take the Portuguese citizenship language test?
You must be a resident in Portugal for at least five years in order to obtain citizenship, you can take the Portuguese citizenship language test at any point during this period.
What is A2 level Portuguese?
According to CEFR standards (The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), A2 Portuguese is the elementary level. For A2 level Portuguese, skills will correspond to a basic understanding of the language.
How much Portuguese do you need to know for citizenship?
For the CIPLE test for citizenship, you will need to show that you have a basic knowledge of the language, corresponding to A2 level.
Where can I take the CIPLE language test?
The CIPLE exam is administered by CAPLE (Centro de Avaliação e Certificação de Português Língua Estrangeira) and a network of CAPLE-certified centers around the world
There are more than 100 testing centers in more than 35 countries, so you should be able to find a Portuguese Language Assessment Center relatively close to you.
What are the language requirements for Portugal Golden Visa?
No, there is no language test requirement for the Portugal Golden Visa program. However, for those seeking Portuguese citizenship, taking the CIPLE Portuguese test can be required.
