If you fulfill the correct requirements in order to obtain Portuguese nationality, you will need to take the Portuguese language test. The A2 language test for citizenship is known as CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira). While the test is necessary for most routes to citizenship, it’s often known as the Portugal Golden Visa language test, as many Golden Visa holders take it before submitting their citizenship applications.
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 Portuguese language certificate for citizenship
- Who has to take the Portugal citizenship language test
- Do children need to prove A2 level Portuguese and more
What is the CIPLE Portugal citizenship language test?
The CIPLE Portuguese proficiency test is a mandatory Portuguese language exam for those who want to become Portuguese citizens. It is one of the Portuguese citizenship requirements. The simple A2 test ensures that those who obtain citizenship in the country have a basic understanding of Portuguese. 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 the Portuguese legislation in force, anyone who is eligible for Portuguese nationality must take the CIPLE exam, with a few exceptions.
Some people become eligible for citizenship through marriage to a Portuguese national, some through naturalization, and others through the residency-by-investment program (ARI – Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento), commonly known as the Portugal Golden Visa.
Applicants do not have to take a language test in order to obtain a residency permit, although they must complete the test in order to gain citizenship and a Portuguese passport. The test can be adapted for those under the age of ten and those with learning difficulties or other special needs.
Portuguese Citizenship Language Test Requirements
CIPLE exam structure
The A2 CIPLE Portuguese language test is two hours long and is composed of three parts:
30 percent: Candidates are required to demonstrate an ability to understand simple, short sentences and basic everyday conversation.
40 percent: In the reading comprehension test, candidates are expected to understand simple written texts, usually in the form of 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 about other people and what you feel and think.
25 percent: A 10-15 minute oral expression exam is usually done with two candidates at once. The oral expression test requires candidates to use simple everyday phrases with basic structures, and also interact on topics and images.
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, which can be paid via MULTIBANCO (only within Portugal), or via bank transfer, and must be completed at least 24 hours before the exam.
Requirements for Children
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 date of the test.
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 and is 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) that have 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 years old.
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, there is a risk of them being denied citizenship due to a lack of connection to Portugal. 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 the country and avoid the risk of denial of the citizenship request.
It is also a possibility that the investor can simply apply for the Portugal Golden Visa, and once they have become a Portuguese citizen (after five years and meeting all the requirements under Portuguese nationality law), they can then ask for citizenship on behalf of their children through family reunification.
Preparing for the Portuguese citizenship language test
How to familiarize yourself with the exam
Although the language test for Portuguese nationality is relatively simple, it is a sensible idea to prepare for the test to build confidence and familiarize yourself with the format in order to ensure that you pass the exam.
One of the most useful resources for learning Portuguese is the Instituto Camões, which promotes the learning of 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 all over the world.
Where to take the CIPLE exam
The CIPLE exam is officiated by the CAPLE (Centro de Avaliação e Certificação de Português Língua Estrangeira) and can be taken in a number of different CAPLE-certified language testing centers all over the world. 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.
How is the CIPLE test graded?
Candidates will pass the exam if they obtain a mark of 55 percent or higher.
After the Portuguese Citizenship Language Test
How long do you have to wait for your CIPLE exam results?
You usually have to wait about two weeks to receive A2 CIPLE exam results, which can be accessed through the CAPLE website.
The Portugal Golden Visa language test is just one aspect of the citizenship application process. Find out more about residency and citizenship solutions in Portugal in our ultimate guide to the Portuguese Golden Visa, where you can learn how to get a temporary residence permit and, ultimately, become a permanent resident and apply for citizenship.
Why apply for a Portugual Golden Visa?
Those applying for the Portugal Golden Visa can make an investment, which can start the investor on a pathway to permanent residency in Portugal and Portuguese citizenship. Qualifying investments start from €250,000 and can be made through a number of different options, such as real estate, business investment, and more. Under the temporary residence permit, there’s a requirement to spend a minimum of seven days in Portugal during the first year, then two weeks for every two-year period after that.
Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Portugal Golden Visa?
- Global approach by local experts: A team of experienced local case executives, immigration lawyers, and investment specialists based in Portugal.
- Independent service: We are not a marketing agency for any projects. You will access all eligible routes for the Golden Visa so you can decide on the best option, and your investment will benefit from the legal due diligence services of a reputable Portuguese Law Firm.
- 100% approval rate: We have the unique distinction of never having had a Golden Visa case rejected and have helped hundreds of clients from more than 35 countries.
- All-encompassing solution: Our dedicated onboarding and immigration teams will assist you throughout the process and beyond with a single channel of communication.
- Transparency: Our fees are clear and detailed, covering the entire process with no hidden costs.
- Privacy: Your personal data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
To see the full list of reasons why to work with Global Citizen Solutions for your Portugal Golden Visa, you can find out more here: Why Work with Global Citizen Solutions for Your Golden Visa Portugal 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 are able to 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.
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 test in order to get Portuguese citizenship.
Those who are exempt include:
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Minors: Children under 18 generally don’t need to take the CIPLE test. However, there are age-appropriate alternatives depending on their situation:
- 12-15 year olds: These individuals can take a modified CIPLE exam called CIPLE-Jovem.
- Under 12s: For very young children (aged 9-11), there’s the TEJO exam, offered in levels A1 to B1.
- 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 any of these exceptions apply to you and what documentation you might 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 CIPLE language test for Portuguese proficiency is not particularly difficult and can be passed relatively easily with some prior preparation. It is designed to test candidates’ ability to use and comprehend everyday Portuguese expressions. It is best to do some Portuguese citizenship test practice beforehand 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.
Is the Portuguese citizenship language test difficult?
The language test to become a Portuguese national is relatively easy. It tests applicants’ ability to use and understand everyday language and expressions, such as talking about yourself and basic phrases you might use on a daily basis.
You can find a Portuguese A2 test example online so that you know what to expect.
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 most routes to Portuguese citizenship, taking the CIPLE Portuguese test is required.
