CIPLE A2 Portuguese Exam: Fee, Format, Dates and Who Accepts It
For permanent residence and, until the 2026 reform, citizenship, the CIPLE has been the standard way to prove basic Portuguese. How registration, the exam day and results work.
The CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira) is the A2-level Portuguese exam run by CAPLE, the language assessment center of the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Letters. As of November 2026 it costs €95 and lasts about two hours. AIMA accepts CAPLE certificates as proof of basic Portuguese for permanent residence.
A2 is the second level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: enough Portuguese to handle simple, predictable everyday situations. Fees and rules below are as of November 2026, from CAPLE and AIMA. The citizenship rules changed in May 2026, so read the section on nationality before you book for that purpose.
What is the CIPLE and who runs it?
The CIPLE is one of a family of Portuguese-as-a-foreign-language exams issued by CAPLE (Centro de Avaliação e Certificação de Português Língua Estrangeira), at the Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa. The higher exams are DEPLE (B1), DIPLE (B2), DAPLE (C1) and DUPLE (C2).
Anyone aged 16 or over whose first language is not Portuguese can sit it. A school version, CIPLE-e, exists for young people aged 12 to 15. You do not have to take a lower level first, and preparation courses are optional: CAPLE does not run any, and you prepare however you like.
What does the exam involve?
The CIPLE tests reading, writing, listening and speaking. According to CAPLE’s CIPLE page:
| Item (as of November 2026) | CIPLE |
|---|---|
| Level | A2 |
| Parts | Reading and written production; listening; oral production and interaction |
| Duration | About 2 hours, plus a 15-minute break |
| Pass mark | 55% (scale 55% to 100%) |
| Grades | Insuficiente (fail), Suficiente, Bom, Muito Bom |
| Fee | €95 |
CAPLE publishes sample papers on its website. The speaking part is done face to face with examiners at the test center.
When and where can I take it in Lisbon?
The CIPLE runs in three international sessions a year, in May, July and November, and in extra national sessions in Portugal called CIPLE-P. Exams are held at authorized test centers called LAPE (Local de Aplicação e Promoção de Exames); CAPLE says there are about 100 of them in 35 countries.
Registration works like this:
- Register on CAPLE’s online platform. You can do it any time of year, up to 21 days before the first exam of the session.
- Choose a test center. Only centers with free places appear, and each center decides which exams it runs and how many seats it opens.
- Pay within 24 hours of registering, or the registration is canceled and you must start again.
- Print the invoice-receipt at the end of registration if you need it.
You can sit only one exam per session. Fees are not refunded if you withdraw or miss the exam. If you need special conditions, such as extra time for dyslexia, tell the test center when you register.
How do I get my result and certificate?
Results appear on CAPLE’s website under exam results, where you enter your candidate code. The certificate is printed on special paper with a unique code and is collected at the test center 15 to 20 working days after results are published. If you fail, you get a statement of results instead.
A1 and A2 exams give a certificate; B1 and above give a diploma. Keep the original safe and make certified copies for applications.
Who accepts the CIPLE?
AIMA lists a CAPLE certificate among the proofs of basic Portuguese for permanent residence and for EU long-term resident status, according to its permanent residence page. Other proofs AIMA accepts:
- a school certificate from a recognized Portuguese school;
- for permanent residence, a school certificate from a school in a Portuguese-speaking country;
- a basic Portuguese course certificate from IEFP, the public employment and training institute, or from a recognized school;
- a certificate of A2 or higher in a Português Língua de Acolhimento (PLA, Portuguese for newcomers) course run by public schools, IEFP centers, Qualifica centers or partners.
Permanent residence also needs five years of temporary residence and clean tax and Social Security records, among other conditions. Your temporary permit renewals in the meantime run through AIMA’s portal; see our guide to renewing a residence permit.
Is the CIPLE still valid for Portuguese citizenship?
Under the old rules it was one of the accepted language certificates, but the 2026 reform changed the requirement. Organic Law 1/2026, in force since 19 May 2026, asks naturalization applicants to prove knowledge of Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols, plus civic knowledge, by test or certificate.
How that is tested depends on an updated Nationality Regulation. As of November 2026 we could not confirm whether it has been published or which certificates it accepts, so check with the registry service (IRN) before booking an exam for citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries are presumed to meet the language part. Our guide to Portuguese citizenship requirements follows the reform.
Bottom line
Book early: registration closes 21 days before each session, and popular Lisbon centers fill first. If your goal is permanent residence, the CIPLE is a safe, widely recognized proof; if your goal is citizenship, wait for IRN to confirm the new rules before you pay.
FAQ
What if I am over 60 and cannot read or write?
Under the nationality regulation CAPLE cites, people aged 60 or over who cannot read or write, and people whose disability prevents the written parts, may take only the speaking part of the CIPLE. Contact the test center with supporting documents before you register.
Does the CIPLE expire?
CAPLE does not state an expiry date for its certificates. Agencies set their own rules on accepting older certificates, so check with the one that will receive it.
Can I take the exam outside Portugal?
Yes. CAPLE runs the international sessions in May, July and November at centers in about 35 countries.
Do family reunification relatives need the CIPLE?
The 2025 law requires reunited relatives to attend Portuguese training, not to pass a specific exam at entry. See our guide to family reunification in Portugal.
