Language in Portugal
While you can get by with English in major cities, learning Portuguese significantly improves your experience and is required for citizenship.
English in Portugal
Where English works well:
- Lisbon, Porto city centers
- Algarve tourist areas
- Tech companies and startups
- Hotels, restaurants, shops in tourist zones
- Young professionals (under 40)
Where you'll need Portuguese:
- Government offices (Finanças, SEF/AIMA)
- Healthcare (especially public)
- Local shops and markets
- Smaller towns and rural areas
- Tradespeople (plumbers, electricians)
- Older generations
Portuguese for Citizenship
Requirement: A2 level (CEFR scale)
Options:
- CIPLE Exam: Official test at Camões Institute or CAPLE centers
- Tests reading, writing, speaking, listening
- €90-100 fee
- Offered multiple times per year
- 150-hour Course: From accredited school/institute
- Certificate proves A2 level without exam
- Often more comfortable for test-anxious learners
Learning Portuguese
Free/Low-Cost Options:
- Portuguese for All (Português para Todos) - government program for immigrants
- Apps: Duolingo, Babbel, Memrise
- YouTube channels
- Language exchanges (Meetup groups)
Paid Options:
- CIAL (Lisbon, Porto) - well-regarded school
- Instituto Camões
- Private tutors (€15-30/hour)
- Online: iTalki, Preply
- University courses
Tips for Learning:
- European vs Brazilian Portuguese: Learn European Portuguese for citizenship and daily life - significantly different pronunciation and some vocabulary
- Start with spoken: Portuguese sounds very different from written form. Prioritize listening and speaking early.
- Practice daily: Even 15 minutes consistently beats occasional long sessions
- Use it: Talk to locals, shopkeepers, neighbors. Portuguese people appreciate the effort.
Useful Phrases
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| Bom dia | Good morning |
| Boa tarde | Good afternoon |
| Boa noite | Good evening/night |
| Obrigado/a | Thank you |
| Por favor | Please |
| Desculpe | Excuse me/Sorry |
| Fala inglês? | Do you speak English? |
| Não percebo | I don't understand |
| Quanto custa? | How much does it cost? |
Cultural Notes
- Portuguese people often switch to English when they detect an accent - politely ask to continue in Portuguese if you're learning
- Formal "você" vs informal "tu" - start with "você" with strangers
- Regional accents vary significantly (Lisbon vs Porto vs Alentejo)
- Brazilian Portuguese is understood but European Portuguese sounds quite different
Timeline to A2
With consistent effort:
- Intensive study: 3-6 months
- Regular classes (2x/week): 6-12 months
- Self-study only: 8-12+ months
Start early - don't wait until you need it for citizenship.
Pro Tips
- •Learn European Portuguese, not Brazilian - they're quite different in pronunciation
- •Start learning early - A2 is required for citizenship and takes 6-12 months
- •Portuguese people appreciate any effort - don't be shy about practicing
- •Free government courses (Português para Todos) are available for immigrants
- •Practice with locals - ask them not to switch to English
Have questions about language in Portugal?