Do You Need to Speak Portuguese to Move to Portugal?
No, you do not need to speak Portuguese to move to Portugal. The D7, D8 and other residence visas have no language test. You only need Portuguese later, at A2 level, if you apply for permanent residency or citizenship. Learning some early still makes daily life much easier.
Do you need Portuguese for the visa?
No. None of the main residence visas, the D7 for passive income, the D8 for remote workers, or the family routes, require a language test to apply. You can arrive, settle and live as a resident without formal Portuguese, especially in the cities and the Algarve where English is widely spoken.
When does Portuguese become a requirement?
At two later stages. To get permanent residency, and to apply for citizenship, you must show A2 level Portuguese, a basic conversational level. Citizens of Portuguese speaking (CPLP) countries are exempt from the test. The 2026 nationality reform kept the A2 level and added a test on Portuguese culture, history and basic rights for citizenship.
What is A2, and how do you prove it?
A2 is a basic level on the European scale, where you can handle simple everyday conversations. You prove it with a CIPLE certificate from CAPLE, the official exam, or with a certificate from an accredited 150 hour Portuguese course. Most people reach A2 after several months of steady study, so it is worth starting long before you need it.
| Stage | Language needed |
|---|---|
| Residence visa (D7, D8 and similar) | None |
| Permanent residency (after 5 years) | A2 |
| Citizenship | A2 plus a culture and history test (CPLP nationals exempt from language) |
Should you learn anyway?
Yes. You can live day to day in English in many areas, but Portuguese opens doors that English does not: AIMA and tax offices, smaller towns, neighbours and healthcare, and simply feeling at home. Even basic Portuguese changes how people respond to you, and it is one of the best things you can do to settle well.
Settling in is more than paperwork. The Move Plan includes build a life guidance, from learning Portuguese to meeting people, so you do not just arrive, you actually settle.
Thinking about the long game?
If citizenship is the goal, see how the 2026 rules changed, then let the Fit Plan build your timeline, language and all.
Frequently asked questions
Can I really live in Portugal with only English?
In cities and the Algarve, largely yes for daily life, but you will hit limits with official offices and in smaller towns. A2 Portuguese is also required later for residency and citizenship.
What level of Portuguese do I need for citizenship?
A2, a basic conversational level, proven by the CIPLE exam or an accredited course, unless you are from a CPLP country and exempt.
Did the 2026 law change the language level?
No. It kept the A2 level, and added a test on Portuguese culture, history and basic rights for citizenship applicants.
How long does it take to reach A2?
For most people several months of regular study, which is why it is worth starting long before you need it.
Are Brazilians exempt from the language test?
Yes. Citizens of CPLP, the Portuguese speaking countries, including Brazil, are exempt from the language requirement.
Where do I sit the official exam?
Through CAPLE, which runs the CIPLE A2 exam at approved test centres.
Sources: CAPLE (CIPLE exam), Portuguese Government, Lei Orgânica 1/2026. Current June 2026.
Last updated June 2026. By Claire Lawrence, who moved to Portugal and now helps others do the same.