Portuguese for permanent residence: how to prove your language level

Updated

Short answer: To get permanent residence in Portugal (autorização de residência permanente), you need at least 5 years on a temporary residence permit and proof of basic Portuguese. AIMA accepts six kinds of proof, including a CAPLE certificate such as CIPLE (A2) and an A2 certificate from a Português Língua de Acolhimento course.

After five years in Portugal on a temporary residence permit, many people apply for permanent residence. One of the requirements surprises a lot of applicants: you have to show that you know basic Portuguese. This guide explains what the law asks for, which documents AIMA accepts, and the realistic ways to get one if you don't have it yet.

What the law requires

Permanent residence is set out in article 80.º of the Foreigners Act (Lei n.º 23/2007). You qualify when you meet all of these conditions at the same time (Lei 23/2007, art. 80.º):

  • you have held a temporary residence permit for at least 5 years;
  • in the last 5 years in Portugal you have not been sentenced to more than one year in prison (in total);
  • you have means of subsistence;
  • you have housing;
  • you prove knowledge of basic Portuguese (conhecimento do português básico).

The law says "basic Portuguese" and does not name a level. The documents AIMA accepts, listed below, are where the A2 level comes in.

You apply by appointment, in person, at a Loja AIMA, with the official form and documents. Permanent residence has no expiry date, but the card itself is renewed every five years (AIMA).

Which documents prove basic Portuguese

AIMA lists six options. You need one of them (AIMA):

Option Who it suits
A school certificate from a Portuguese school (public, private or cooperative, officially recognised) People who studied in Portugal
A school certificate from a school in a Portuguese-speaking country People educated in Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde and other Portuguese-speaking countries
A certificate of completion of a basic Portuguese course from IEFP People who took the free IEFP course
A certificate of completion of a basic Portuguese course from an officially recognised school People who took a recognised course
A certificate of basic Portuguese from a test at CAPLE Anyone: you sit an exam such as CIPLE (A2)
A certificate of A2 or higher from a Português Língua de Acolhimento (PLA) course People who took a state PLA course

The same list applies to the EU long-term resident status (estatuto de residente de longa duração, article 125.º), which some people apply for instead of, or as well as, permanent residence (AIMA).

If you don't have any of these yet

For most people who didn't study in Portuguese, there are two realistic routes.

Route 1: a PLA course (A2 certificate)

Português Língua de Acolhimento courses are free courses for adult migrants run by public schools, IEFP centres, Centros Qualifica and partner organisations. A certificate of A2 or higher from one of these courses is accepted by AIMA (AIMA).

What to keep in mind: places depend on when and where a group opens, classes follow a fixed timetable, and lessons are taught in Portuguese. If a course near you fits your schedule, it is a good option.

Route 2: the CIPLE exam (CAPLE certificate)

CIPLE is the A2 exam of CAPLE, the Portuguese-language assessment centre of the University of Lisbon. It is not a course: you prepare however you like, then take the exam (CAPLE).

  • Allow a morning for it. You do reading and writing first, then listening, and later a short speaking test alongside another candidate. A score of 55% is a pass.
  • It costs €95, and the fee isn't refunded if you miss the exam, so pick a date you can really make.
  • Exam seasons are May, July and November, and Portugal has extra dates on top of those. Registration closes 21 days before each exam.

Everything else (what to bring, how results work, when the certificate is ready) is in our CIPLE exam guide.

How long does it take?

That depends on your starting point. If you already get by in simple conversations, you may need only a few weeks of exam practice. If you are starting from zero, plan for a few months of regular study before the exam. You can check where you are now with our free 3-minute level test.

One practical tip: the certificate is collected 15 to 20 working days after CAPLE publishes the results (CAPLE FAQ). Add that time to your plan if you have an AIMA appointment coming up.

Common questions

Is A2 the official level for permanent residence? The law asks for basic Portuguese. In practice, the certificates AIMA lists are at A2 level (CIPLE, PLA A2). We are not aware of any rule that asks for more.

Does my certificate expire? CAPLE does not state an expiry date for its certificates (CAPLE FAQ). Whether an older certificate is accepted is AIMA's decision.

I'm from Brazil. Do I need a certificate? Went to school in Brazil, Angola or another country where Portuguese is official? Good news: AIMA's list includes school certificates from those countries, so check that route before you pay for an exam.

Is this the same as the language requirement for citizenship? No. Citizenship is a separate procedure under the Nationality Law, which changed on 19 May 2026. Its new rules on language and culture are still waiting for an updated regulation. We will cover it in a separate guide once the official text is published.

How OneGrade can help

If you choose the CIPLE route, OneGrade takes you from zero to A2 in European Portuguese, with explanations in English. The course follows the CIPLE format, and your writing and speaking tasks are checked by a teacher. You can add live lessons in a small group or one-to-one. We prepare you for the level; the exam is yours to pass. See the plans or start with the level test.

This guide explains the official rules in plain English. It is not legal advice. Requirements can change, so always check the current AIMA page before you apply.

Official sources