How do I get into a free PLA Portuguese course in Portugal?

Updated

Short answer: You find a PLA course on iefponline and pre-register there. You need to be a migrant aged 16 or over with no Portuguese, and to hold a residence title or one of the alternative documents. Most courses are free, and a certificate at A2 or higher is accepted by AIMA as proof of Portuguese for permanent residence, long-term resident status and nationality.

Portuguese classes for migrants are run by the state, and most of them are free. They go by the name Português Língua de Acolhimento (Portuguese as a host language), or PLA. Whether you need Portuguese for the café, the Finanças, or a certificate for your residence or nationality file, PLA is the first option to check.

This guide covers who can join, which documents prove you are eligible, how many hours each level takes, where the courses run, how to pre-enrol and which certificates AIMA accepts. It also shows what to check before you sign up, since places and start dates vary from one area to another.

What is a PLA course?

PLA courses were created by Portaria 183/2020, later amended by Portaria 184/2022. They replace the older names PFOL and Português para Todos (PPT), and they are aimed at migrants in Portugal (AIMA).

Finish a course successfully and you leave with a proficiency level on the CEFR scale, the European framework for language levels: A1, A2, B1 or B2 (ANQEP). The courses certify A1+A2 and B1+B2 (AIMA).

Who can join a PLA course?

According to the IEFP (the public employment and training institute), you can attend if you are a migrant, aged 16 or over, and have no Portuguese knowledge according to the CEFR. You must also meet at least one status condition (IEFP).

Older documents may state a different age limit. Check the age rule with the training centre if you are close to the limit.

Which documents prove you are eligible?

The main rule is that you hold a residence title (título de residência). Holders of short-stay seasonal-work, temporary-stay or residence visas are also eligible (AIMA). If you don't have a title yet, AIMA lists alternatives:

Situation Document
Residence title Your título de residência
Application in progress Proof that a residence application, renewal or extension has been started
Asylum or protection Proof of an international or temporary protection application
Social Security Proof of your NISS (Social Security number)

The alternative proofs come from the AIMA questions-and-answers page (AIMA). The IEFP page lists the same conditions (IEFP).

The "no Portuguese" condition matters too. If you already speak some Portuguese, ask the centre how they place learners before you assume you start at A1.

How many hours does each level take?

Each level, from A1 to B2, runs for 75 hours. If you use a non-Latin alphabet or another writing system, a course can run up to 100 hours (IEFP).

I could not verify the exact hours of the combined A1+A2 course, or the attendance and assessment rules for passing. These are in the IEFP curriculum guide (Guia Organizativo PLA), which the IEFP page links to. Ask the centre for these details before you commit, especially if you work shifts.

Where do PLA courses run?

Courses run in three kinds of places (ANQEP):

  • basic and secondary schools, public or private
  • IEFP direct-management and partner training centres
  • Qualifica Centres

So your local school or training centre may offer one. Whether it does, and when it starts, depends on where you live. The pages I checked don't give start dates or waiting lists.

How do you pre-enrol on iefponline?

The IEFP says to find your course and pre-register on iefponline (IEFP). These steps show a practical order:

  1. Gather your proof of eligibility: residence title, application receipt, protection proof or NISS.
  2. Search iefponline for PLA courses near you, and note the level, entity and start date.
  3. Pre-register for the course that fits your level and timetable.
  4. Keep your certificate when the course finishes. You receive one at the end (IEFP).

No course running near you? Contact the nearest IEFP centre or a school in your area and ask what they plan to run next.

Does a PLA certificate count for residence and nationality?

AIMA says a certificate at A2 or higher is accepted as proof of Portuguese for permanent residence, long-term resident status and Portuguese nationality (AIMA). The IEFP states the same for nationality: A1 does not allow you to apply, while A2, B1 and B2 do (IEFP).

The certificate must say you completed A2 or higher, and it must come from a public-network school, an IEFP direct or participated-management centre, or a Qualifica Centre (AIMA). A course taken elsewhere is a different case.

There are two limits to keep in mind. First, I found no official page that gives a required level for each permit type beyond "A2 or higher" for the three cases above. Second, nationality rules may change, and I did not confirm the current status of the new regulation. Check the AIMA page for your case before you rely on any certificate. For more detail, see our guides on A2 Portuguese for permanent residence and on proving Portuguese for a citizenship application.

What should you check before you sign up?

  • Cost. Most PLA courses are free, but this can depend on the organising entity and on whether EU funds co-finance the course (AIMA). Ask in writing if anything is unclear.
  • Availability. Places, start dates and waiting lists differ by region. Look at more than one entity.
  • Timetable. Compare the class hours with your work and family schedule. A free course you can't attend regularly is a poor fit.
  • Level and certificate. Confirm that the course certifies the level you need. An A1 certificate does not allow a nationality application.
  • Issuing body. Check that it is one of the types listed above.

Common questions

Is PLA really free? In the great majority of cases, yes, but it can depend on the entity and the funding (AIMA). Confirm before you enrol.

Can I join with only an application receipt? Proof that a residence application, renewal or extension has started is one of the accepted documents (AIMA).

Do I need A1 first? The courses certify A1+A2 together (AIMA). Ask the centre how long the combined course runs.

Is the CIPLE exam the same thing? No. CIPLE is a separate exam. Our CIPLE exam guide explains it.

How OneGrade can help

A state PLA course is a good choice if you can get a place and attend at fixed times. OneGrade is an online course of European Portuguese built around the CIPLE exam format, with 5 modules and 10 CIPLE-style tasks checked by a teacher. Access lasts 6 months, and there are Basic, Premium and Exclusive plans. Our certificate of completion is not an official document, and we cannot guarantee that you will pass. See the plans or try the free level test.

This article explains official rules in plain English and is not legal advice. Check the official AIMA and IEFP pages before you apply.

Official sources