CIPLE A2 exam preparation to pass on your first attempt
An online CIPLE preparation course for expats in Portugal. Mock exams built on real CAPLE tasks, a study plan around your weak spots, and live speaking practice with a tutor.
No card needed. For learners who already know some Portuguese.
Choose the right tasks
To pass the CIPLE, your Portuguese doesn't have to be perfect.
Start the intro lesson
This short lesson shows how the exam is built. No theory, only practice.
Take a mock exam
A full CIPLE simulation shows which parts are easy for you and which need work. You also learn the timing.
Follow a personal plan
Listening drills, A2 grammar and real texts in European Portuguese, focused on your weak points only.
Practise speaking live
A tutor runs the oral part with you the way the examiners do and gives detailed feedback.
Free CIPLE practice test: are you ready?
These are short CIPLE-style reading tasks in European Portuguese: a notice, a text message, an ad. You see the right answer and an explanation after each one.
The real exam also tests listening and speaking. Those are the parts that need the most practice, and the free intro lesson starts there.
Get a free CIPLE lesson
Leave your email and we'll send you access to the intro lesson. You'll see how the course works before you choose a plan.
- How the CIPLE A2 exam is built and scored
- A listening task in European Portuguese, with answers
- The most common mistakes in the speaking part
- A checklist to plan your preparation back from the exam date
Choose your CIPLE preparation plan
Every plan includes mock exams with detailed feedback, a personal study plan, explanations of each exam part, real texts and audio in European Portuguese, and live speaking practice.
Fast Track
- Access to materials for 3 months
- 5 CIPLE simulations with mistakes explained
- 30 min live speaking practice with a tutor
Steady Progress
- Access to materials for 6 months
- 10 CIPLE simulations with mistakes explained
- 60 min live speaking practice with a tutor
Complete Preparation
- Access to materials for 6 months
- 15 CIPLE simulations with mistakes explained
- 120 min live practice: explanations and exam simulation
- Discounts on extra sessions
Need more speaking practice? Add a 30-minute live lesson with a tutor for €30 at any time.
What our students say
CIPLE questions people ask us
Do I need CIPLE for Portuguese citizenship in 2026?
New nationality rules (Lei Orgânica 1/2026) have applied since 19 May 2026. In most cases you now need 10 years of legal residence, or 7 years for citizens of CPLP and EU countries. You still have to prove basic Portuguese, and the CIPLE A2 certificate is the most common way to do it.
The law also adds a separate test of knowledge of Portuguese culture, history and civic life. Its format has not been approved yet, and it is not part of CIPLE. Another way to prove the language is the 150-hour PLA course (Português Língua de Acolhimento).
The rules are new, so check the current requirements with IRN or a lawyer before you apply. See the Ministry of Justice announcement.
What level of Portuguese do I need to start this course?
The course prepares you for the exam format. It doesn't teach Portuguese from zero. It works best if you can already handle simple everyday situations. If you are a beginner, start with our online Portuguese lessons and come back when you reach A2.
How long does it take to prepare for CIPLE?
With a base close to A2, most learners need one to three months of regular practice. The Fast Track plan gives you 3 months of access, and the other plans give you 6.
What is the pass mark for CIPLE?
You need 55% overall. Reading and writing count for 45%, listening for 30% and speaking for 25%. Grades are Suficiente (55–69%), Bom (70–84%) and Muito Bom (85–100%).
Can I take the CIPLE exam online?
No. The exam is taken in person at a CAPLE exam centre, in Portugal or abroad. Only the preparation is online: lessons, mock exams and speaking practice by video call.
What happens in the CIPLE speaking part?
It takes 15 minutes and is done in pairs with another candidate. There are three types of tasks, the first two of which are individual:
- You answer the examiner's questions about yourself.
- You describe a picture provided by the examiner.
- You take part in a communicative task in which you and the other candidate discuss a situation and try to find a solution.
During the course, a tutor runs the speaking part with you and gives you feedback.
How much does the CIPLE exam cost and when are the sessions?
In 2026 the CIPLE fee is €95, paid to CAPLE, and it is not refunded if you miss the exam. International sessions run in May, July and November, and centres in Portugal add extra national sessions through the year. Registration closes at least 21 days before the exam, and places at popular centres run out, so book early. Check the current calendar on the CAPLE website.
When do I get my CIPLE results and certificate?
CAPLE publishes the results first. The certificate is issued 15 to 21 working days after that. CAPLE certificates carry no expiry date.
Is the course in European or Brazilian Portuguese?
European Portuguese only. All texts and audio use the Portuguese you will hear in the exam and in everyday life in Portugal.
Watch the free lesson today and find out where you stand
Start a free lessonQuestions about CIPLE? Write to us.