When applying for Portuguese Citizenship, one of the requirements that raises the most questions among candidates is proving their knowledge of the Portuguese language. This guide will outline the different options available to meet this requirement and how each can be obtained to ensure a successful application.

Keep in mind that, when applying for Portuguese Citizenship through time of residence, if you were born and are a national of a Portuguese-speaking country, it is not required for you to present proof of your proficiency in the language.

Also note that, if the person applying for Citizenship does not know how to read or write, it is mandatory that the examination is adjusted to their capabilities.

Methods to Prove Portuguese Language Proficiency

In order to demonstrate your knowledge of the Portuguese language, you must provide one of the following documents:

1. Certificate of Qualification from a Portuguese educational establishment
2. Certificate of approval in a Portuguese Language exam
3. Certificate of Portuguese as a Foreign Language (PLE – Português Língua Estrangeira)

Keep reading to find out which of these options is more tailored to your situation and decide which path to take!

Certificate of Qualification from a Portuguese Educational Establishment

If you have no prior knowledge of the Portuguese language and would like to take a course to learn the basics, then this might be the best option for you. One of the biggest misconceptions of applying for Portuguese Citizenship through time of residence is that you have to take a specific test; a certificate confirming your completion of a course in Portuguese Language is enough!

You could take classes from any Portuguese public, private or cooperative educational establishment, but keep in mind that the course must issue a certificate of completion in the end. Typically, the course should offer the A2 level or higher.

Instituto Camões offers the course “Portuguese for Foreigners: Level A2” that meets these requirements, and can be taken remotely. You can learn more about it here: https://www.instituto-camoes.pt/activity/servicos-online/ensino-a-distancia/cursos-gerais-de-portugues/basico/portuguese-for-foreigners-level-a2-basico-2

Certificate of Approval in a Portuguese Language Exam

If you are confident in your Portuguese skills and don’t want to waste time sitting in class, taking an exam can be the right option for your Citizenship application. There are two tests available for this purpose, with the first being the PaN – Prova do Conhecimento da Língua Portuguesa para Aquisição de Nacionalidade.

This test is organized by IAVE, the Institute for Educational Evaluation, part of the Portuguese Ministry of Education, and it is tailored specifically for foreign citizens, with over 18 years of age, who qualify for Portuguese Nationality and want to receive proof of their proficiency in the language.

You can visit the official webpage for PaN here: https://iave.pt/pan/, where you can sign up, check the dates for upcoming exams, and even practice with sample questions from past tests.

Certificate of Portuguese as a Foreign Language (PLE)

The second test available to prove your proficiency in the Portuguese language for Citizenship purposes is a PLE (Português Língua Estrangeira) certificate. This can be obtained at a Portuguese assessment center recognized by the Ministry of Education.

CAPLE, the Assessment Center for Portuguese as a Foreign Language, is part of the University of Lisbon and it is the only Portuguese entity that certifies written and verbal skills in Portuguese as a Foreign Language. Their exams range from level A1 to C2, and are held in the various exam centers existent in Portugal and 34 other countries.

The most popular exam among applicants for Portuguese Citizenship is the CIPLE (Initial Certificate of Portuguese as a Foreign Language), which grants the A2 level, and it has around six different assessment periods throughout the year. However, if you opt for the CIPLE, be prepared to book your exam well in advance, as the dates fill up quite quickly!

You can find out more about the CIPLE and other exams provided by the CAPLE here: https://caple.letras.ulisboa.pt/

Proving your knowledge of the Portuguese language is a critical step in obtaining Portuguese Citizenship through time of residency. By reading this guide, you will be able to get an idea of the options available and which should work best for your situation, whether it is completing a course or presenting an exam certificate.

Do not forget to plan ahead and make sure you meet all requirements. And if you need assistance on your Citizenship application, do not hesitate to reach out to Visas in Portugal as we can guide you through the process and minimize headaches!