Portuguese Citizenship Application: Language Test Not Required

WHEN APPLYING FOR CITIZENSHIP IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, EXPATS WILL USUALLY HAVE TO SUBMIT AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF DOCUMENTS. AMONG THEM IS A CERTIFICATE OF LANGUAGE FLUENCY. THE SAME HOLDS FOR PORTUGAL, AS THE COUNTRY EXPECTS ITS CITIZENS TO HAVE A BASIC GRASP OF PORTUGUESE, EVEN THOSE SEEKING THE PASSPORT VIA THE RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT ROUTE WITH THE PORTUGAL D2 VISA OR THE GOLDEN VISA PROGRAMMES.

In the past, the only way to obtain the certificate was by passing an official A2 level Portuguese language exam, either from an assessment centre recognized by the Ministry of Education, or by passing an exam specifically designed to acquire Portuguese Citizenship.

However, as of January 2024, the language fluency requirement has been relaxed. Now, there is an alternative way that does not require taking the official exam.

The official government website, Justiça.gov.pt, explains that a document that reveals A2-level language proficiency must be submitted, putting it as follows:

“A document that proves that you have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language. This document can be:

• A certificate of qualification from a Portuguese public, private, or cooperative educational establishment
• A certificate of passing the Portuguese Language Exam for the Acquisition of Nationality (PaN)
• A certificate of Portuguese as a foreign language, which is obtained by taking a test at a Portuguese assessment centre recognized by the Ministry of Education, through the Portuguese Language Assessment Center as a Foreign Language (...)”

By enrolling in specific Portuguese language courses offered by public, private, or cooperative institutions, attending classes, and completing the course, you can obtain a Portuguese fluency certificate without needing to pass the official exam. This approach simplifies the language learning process, letting you study at your own pace and reducing the stress associated with taking the test. Just enrol, participate in the available online classes, and receive your Portuguese A2 fluency certificate.

While English, the de facto language of the world, is spoken widely in Portugal, learning Portuguese will allow you to deeply integrate yourself into the local culture, better understand cultural contexts, and communicate more easily with others. Plus, any attempt to establish a connection to Portugal always bodes well for any Citizenship Application.

The best part of venturing through this option is that most A2-level courses are affordable, only taking about 150 hours to complete with online classes available. After the course’s completion, the language proficiency certificate is issued, granting you one of the most essential documents for the Citizenship Application process. While it may not be suitable for some, it provides peace of mind, especially for investors seeking Citizenship through the Portugal D2 Visa programme.

Combining how easy it is to obtain the A2-level fluency certificate plus Portugal Homes’ dedicated D2 Visa investment options, the path to Portuguese Residency and future EU Citizenship is all but guaranteed. Contact us today to inquire about the matter and find out how we can help you set on the path toward Residency and Citizenship in Portugal!