Updated: January 21, 2025
For Golden Visa applicants, should you be seeking Portuguese citizenship after legally holding residency for five years in Portugal, you will need to take (and pass) the Portugal Golden Visa language test. Known as CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira), passing this A2 test is required to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
In this article, we’ll arm you with everything you’ll need to know about the Portuguese language test, including insights into what you can expect, how difficult the test is, and where you can take it.
What is the CIPLE Portugal citizenship language test?
The CIPLE Portuguese language exam is mandatory for those who want to become Portuguese citizens. Portuguese citizenship opens up a wide array of perks, including being able to live, work, and study in any EU member state.
This Portuguese language test for citizenship assesses reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and listening, with a focus on testing skills necessary for basic and daily interactions.
It tests Portuguese language proficiency and is structured according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The certificate can be pursued through various accredited language institutions in Portugal and confirms the candidate’s ability to manage the Portuguese language common in daily life and show a basic understanding of the language.
Note that for any citizenship through naturalization route, you will need to take and pass the Portuguese language exam to apply for citizenship. Also, even if you are just seeking to move to Portugal, the test can also be a good way to check your level.
Who has to take the Portuguese citizenship language test?
As we’ve mentioned, if you are seeking to apply for Portuguese nationality, any individual, including Portuguese Golden Visa holders, will need to take the Portuguese language test, under Portuguese nationality law.
Some individuals can become eligible for citizenship through marriage to a Portuguese national or through naturalization – if they have legally resided in Portugal for more than five years. Another route is through the Portugal Golden Visa program (ARI – Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento), which has become one of the most popular residency-by-investment schemes in the world since its inception in 2012.
After five years of holding Portuguese residency and maintaining their Golden Visa investment, applicants can apply for Portuguese citizenship – and, for this, they’ll need to pass the A2 Portuguese language exam.
While applicants do not need to pass a language test to obtain a residency permit, they must take and pass the test to get Portuguese citizenship and, subsequently, a Portuguese passport.
The test can be adapted when necessary for children under the age of ten years and those with learning difficulties or other special needs.
Portuguese Citizenship Language Test Requirements
The CIPLE Portugal Golden Visa language test (or Portuguese language test for citizenship) is split into reading comprehension, listening, writing, and speaking and comprises the following:
- 30 percent: Candidates need to show that they understand simple, short sentences, and basic day-to-day conversation.
- 40 percent: Reading comprehension test, where candidates will need to show an understanding of simple written texts. The format of this is usually through short dialogues, news articles, informative text, or short stories. In the written exam, candidates will need to write a short text that uses everyday expressions. Usually, this is a short text where you write a letter or email to a friend, a text about yourself, or another simple text.
- 25 percent: Candidates will need to complete an oral comprehension exam, where they will need to use everyday expressions, use basic phrases, and interact on topics and images. The oral exam is usually done in pairs.
Required Documents for CIPLE Exam
You will need to take your residency permit, passport, or ID card to the exam.
How much does the CIPLE exam cost?
You will need to pay €72 to take the exam, which needs to be paid via MULTIBANCO (only within Portugal) or through bank transfer. The payment needs to be made 24 hours before the exam.
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Requirements for Children
Below, we share information regarding children taking the CIPLE Portuguese language exam.
Do children need to take the CIPLE Portuguese language test?
According to the Regulation of the Portuguese Nationality Law, candidates for the Portuguese language test cannot be younger than the legal age required for completing compulsory schooling on the date of the exam.
If a child hasn’t completed the first cycle of basic knowledge in an educational establishment with the Portuguese curriculum, the education or teaching establishment of the Portuguese language can provide a declaration as proof.
Simply put, when the parents secure Portuguese citizenship by residency, they can also ask for citizenship for their child as long as the child is a minor attending a school in Portugal. If this is the case, then 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 depends on the citizenship route taken. Minors, up to the age of 18, who have Portuguese parents will only need to apply for citizenship and they will not be required to take or pass a Portuguese language test. In this specific case, the cut-off age is 18 years old.
What are the requirements for Golden Visa investors who do not live in Portugal?
Minor children do not need to take a language exam or attend a Portuguese school. With this said, they may be denied citizenship as a result of lacking a connection to Portugal.
Our residency and citizenship division, Global Citizen Solutions, advises applicants of the Portuguese Golden Visa program to include minor children in the parent’s Golden Visa application.
They also advise children to take Portuguese language classes outside of Portugal to show a connection to Portugal and to avoid the risk of citizenship being denied.
Investors who apply for the Portugal Golden Visa program and fulfill the five years of residency while meeting all requirements can become eligible for Portuguese citizenship. Once they obtain citizenship, they can seek citizenship for their children through family reunification.
Preparing for the Portuguese Citizenship Language test
The Portuguese language exam to apply for Portuguese citizenship is an A2 level exam. This means that, with a bit of practice and dedication, you should be well-prepared to do well and pass the exam. Below, we provide some top tips regarding how to best prepare.
How to familiarize yourself with the exam
How to familiarize yourself with the examThe Portuguese language test is an A2 exam and is relatively simple to complete. Don’t worry as, if you are well prepared, you should be fine. However, with this said, it’s important to commit to practicing all aspects of the exam – reading, writing, listening, and speaking – to build your confidence and familiarize yourself with the format of the exam. This will give you the best chance of passing.
Instituto Camões is one of the most useful resources if you’re planning on taking the Portuguese language exam. You will find a wide range of useful tools and resources for learning the language and a number of courses where you can prepare yourself for the exam.
Where to take the CIPLE exam
Where to take the CIPLE examCAPLE (Centro de Avaliação e Certificação de Português Língua Estrangeira) officiates the CIPLE Portuguese test. The test can be taken in many different CAPLE-certified language testing centers in Portugal and across the world.
If you are looking to complete the exam at a Portuguese language assessment center outside Portugal, the dates to take the A2 CIPLE exam are November, July, and May. More dates are available (CIPLE-P) within Portuguese test centers in October, September, June, and March. It’s best to double-check available dates and reserve your spot in the exam as soon as possible to ensure you get a spot, as they can fill up quickly. You will need to enroll three months before the exam takes place.
How is the CIPLE test graded?
How is the CIPLE test graded?The pass rate for the CIPLE language test is 55.
- 0-54 percent: Fail
- 55-69 percent: Sufficient
- 70-84 percent: Good
- 85-100 percent: Very Good
After the Portuguese Citizenship Language Test
After you have taken the CIPLE Portuguese citizenship language test, there will be a wait of around two weeks until you receive your result. This can be slightly longer in certain situations. You’ll be notified whether you passed or not and then you can proceed to apply for citizenship (provided you meet all the other requirements under Portuguese nationality law).
Depending on where you take the test, the results can be accessed online through the institution where you took the exam or through the CAPLE (Centro de Avaliação de Português Língua Estrangeira) portal, if you completed the CIPLE exam. If you pass, you will also receive a certificate, which is the official document that demonstrates your A2 proficiency in the Portuguese language. When you submit your citizenship application, you will be required to show this certificate.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Portuguese Citizenship Language Test
What is meant by “basic Portuguese”?
Basic Portuguese refers to fundamental language skills, equivalent to the A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This level includes understanding simple conversations that you would use in daily life, reading basic texts, and expressing basic ideas in Portuguese.
Do I have to take a language test to get Portuguese citizenship?
Yes, to apply for Portuguese citizenship, you need to pass a language test to demonstrate basic Portuguese proficiency (A2 level) in most cases. However, exemptions apply, and, in these cases, Portuguese proficiency can be proven through other methods.
Who has to take the Portuguese language test?
To qualify for citizenship, you will need to take a CIPLE Portuguese language test, unless due to specific situations, including:
- Minors: Children under the age of 18 do not need to take the CIPLE test, although there are age-appropriate alternatives depending on their situation and age. 12-15-year-olds can take a modified exam, known as CIPLE Jovem, while under 12s will take the TEJO exam, which is offered to children aged 9-11 (offered in levels A1 to B1). If your child is already attending a school in Portugal, then they may be exempt based on a written declaration from the school they attend to prove their proficiency in the language.
- Married to a Portuguese citizen: Spouses of Portuguese citizens are generally exempt from taking a language exam, although specific requirements vary depending on the length of the marriage, alongside other factors.
- Existing language qualification: For individuals who already have a certificate that proves a higher level of Portuguese proficiency (B1, B2, C1, or C2) on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), you may not be required to take the CIPLE exam.
- Serious illness or disability: For individuals with a severe illness or disability, an exemption can be granted. You will need to show documentation and approval from a medical professional to demonstrate this.
You will also not be required to take the Portuguese language exam if you are from a Portuguese speaking country.
Make sure to consult with an official Portuguese authority or qualified immigration lawyer to determine if these exceptions apply in your case and what documentation you will need to present.
Do children have to take a Portuguese language test?
Under Portuguese Nationality Law, children can gain citizenship when their parents obtain it by residency, provided they are minors attending a Portuguese school. In such cases, they are exempt from the CIPLE language exam, with a school-issued declaration sufficing as proof of proficiency.
Minors under 18 with Portuguese parents must apply for citizenship but are exempt from taking the Portuguese language test or attending a Portuguese school. However, citizenship may be denied if they cannot demonstrate a connection to Portugal, which is why it is recommend for them to have Portuguese language lessons outside Portugal.
Is the Portuguese language test difficult?
Learning a foreign language can always be tricky. However, the Portuguese language test for citizenship is designed to assess basic skills at the A2 level. It is not overly difficult if you have basic proficiency in Portuguese, focusing on everyday language use and simple interactions.
How long is the Portuguese citizenship language test?
The Portuguese language test, known as CIPLE, lasts about two hours. It includes sections on listening, reading comprehension, writing, and speaking to evaluate basic Portuguese skills.
When do I take the Portuguese citizenship language test?
If you wish to apply for Portuguese citizenship, you will need to have taken and passed the A2 level CIPLE language test. You will need to present your certificate along with the other documents required for the citizenship application.
What is A2 level Portuguese?
A2 level Portuguese indicates the ability to understand and communicate in everyday situations using simple phrases and vocabulary. It is a basic proficiency level under the CEFR framework.
How much Portuguese do you need to know for citizenship?
For Portuguese citizenship, you need to demonstrate basic proficiency at the A2 level. This includes understanding basic texts, engaging in simple conversations, and expressing routine needs.
Where can I take the CIPLE language test?
The CIPLE language test is offered at certified testing centers across Portugal and abroad. You can register through the CAPLE website or authorized institutions.
What are the language requirements for the Portugal Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Visa program, introduced in 2012 by the Portuguese government, is one of the most popular residency-by-investment schemes in the world and does not require a language test. However, if you apply for citizenship after five years of maintaining your Golden Visa investment, you’ll need to pass an A2 level Portuguese language test unless exempt.
