Updated: January 21, 2025
Dreaming of Portuguese citizenship after five years of residency through the Golden Visa? Then you’ll need to pass the Portugal Golden Visa language test. Officially known as CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira), this A2 level test is a key requirement to unlock your Portuguese citizenship application.
This article provides you with essential information about the Portuguese language test. We’ll delve into what you can expect, how challenging it is, and where you can take it, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the journey ahead.
The CIPLE Portuguese language exam is your gateway to becoming a Portuguese citizen. Gaining citizenship unlocks a wealth of opportunities, allowing you to live, work, and study freely within any EU member state.
The citizenship language test evaluates your proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, focusing on the practical language skills needed for everyday interactions.
The test is structured according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), assessing your ability to use Portuguese in daily life and demonstrating a basic understanding of the language. You can prepare for the certificate through various accredited language institutions in Portugal.
Remember, if you’re pursuing citizenship through naturalization, passing the Portuguese language exam is essential. Even if you’re simply planning a move to Portugal, the test can be a useful way to gauge your current language level.
As previously stated, under Portuguese nationality law, anyone seeking Portuguese nationality must take the Portuguese language test, including Golden Visa holders.
Citizenship can also be obtained through marriage to a Portuguese national or through naturalization after legally residing in Portugal for more than five years. The Portugal Golden Visa program (ARI – Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento) has emerged as a highly sought-after residency-by-investment option since its launch in 2012.
After achieving five years of Portuguese residency and maintaining their Golden Visa investment, applicants can apply for Portuguese citizenship. Of course, passing the A2 Portuguese language exam is mandatory.
While a language test isn’t required for obtaining a residency permit, it’s a necessary step towards securing Portuguese citizenship and, subsequently, a Portuguese passport.
The test can be tailored, when required, for children under ten years old or individuals with learning difficulties or special needs.
The CIPLE Portugal Golden Visa language test is broken down into reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Here’s the component weighting:
-
30 percent
: Demonstrating the ability to understand simple, short sentences and basic everyday conversation. -
40 percent
: A reading comprehension test assessing understanding of simple texts like short dialogues, news articles, or short stories. The written section involves composing a short text using common expressions, such as a letter or email to a friend or a personal introduction. -
25 percent:
An oral comprehension exam where you’ll interact using basic phrases and everyday expressions, engaging in conversation based on topics and images. The oral exam is typically conducted in pairs.
Remember to bring your residency permit, passport, or ID card on exam day.
How much does the CIPLE exam cost?
The exam fee is €72, payable via MULTIBANCO (only within Portugal) or bank transfer. Payment must be made 24 hours before the test.
Let’s explore the requirements around 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, only individuals who have reached the legal age for completing mandatory schooling are required to take the Portuguese language test.
If a child hasn’t completed the first basic knowledge cycle in a Portuguese curriculum school, a declaration from the education or teaching establishment of the Portuguese language can be provided as proof.
In simple terms, if parents gain Portuguese citizenship through residency, they can also apply for citizenship for their child as long as the child is a minor attending a school in Portugal. If this is the situation, they won’t need to take 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. Minor children of Portuguese parents only need to apply and will not need to take or pass a language test. In this 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 are not required to take the language exam or attend a Portuguese school. However, citizenship may be denied due to lacking 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 demonstrate a connection to the country and mitigate the risk of citizenship denial.
Investors who apply for the Portugal Golden Visa program and fulfill the five years of residency while meeting all requirements become eligible for Portuguese citizenship. Once citizenship is obtained, they can apply for citizenship for their children through family reunification.
The Portuguese language exam required when applying for Portuguese citizenship is an A2 level exam. With adequate practice and dedication, you’ll be well-prepared to succeed. Here are some top tips on how to prepare.
How to familiarize yourself with the exam
The Portuguese language test is an A2 exam, so it is manageable. Don’t worry, with thorough preparation, you should be in good shape. It’s vital to practice all exam components – reading, writing, listening, and speaking – to boost your confidence and become familiar with the exam format. This maximizes your chances of success.
Instituto Camões is a valuable resource if you’re planning to take the Portuguese language exam. It provides learning tools, resources, and preparation courses.
Where to take the CIPLE exam
CAPLE (Centro de Avaliação e Certificação de Português Língua Estrangeira) manages the CIPLE Portuguese test. It can be taken at certified language centers in Portugal and worldwide.
For completion at a Portuguese language assessment center outside Portugal, the A2 CIPLE exam dates are in November, July, and May. Additional times are available (CIPLE-P) within Portuguese test centers in October, September, June, and March. Confirm dates and reserve your spot early because spots can fill quickly. Enrollment is required three months before the exam.
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
Expect to wait approximately two weeks for CIPLE Portuguese citizenship language test results. Notification of results is sent, then citizenship can be applied for (provided you meet requirements under Portuguese nationality law).
Depending on the location the test results are available online from the institution the exam when taken, or through the CAPLE portal. The passing result delivers a certificate, which is the official document that demonstrates your A2 proficiency in the Portuguese language that will need to be shown when submitting the citizenship application.
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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.
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.Portuguese proficiency can be proven through other methods.
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 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). 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. Documentation and approval from a medical professional will be required to demonstrate this.
The Portuguese language exam is also not required if you are from a Portuguese speaking country.
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.
Children can gain citizenship when their parents obtain it by residency if they are minors attending a Portuguese school. In such cases, they are exempt from CIPLE language exam, with a school-issued declaration sufficing as proof of proficiency.
Minors under 18 with Portuguese parents apply for citizenship that is exempt the language test or school, only citizenship may be denied. Portugal citizenship lacking. recommend language classes.
Learning a foreign language can be tricky. Learning the Portuguese language test for citizenship assesses basic at the A2 level, not overly difficult with basic proficiency, focusing everyday interactions.
The linguistic Test. lasts about two hours. and speaking language. hours, reading and speaking skills and conversations
If you wish to apply for Portuguese citizenship, you will need to have taken and passed the A2 certificate along for citizen you present it
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