There are several reasons to demonstrate language ability:
To naturalize (citizenship through Article 6.1). Only adults 18+ can naturalize.
To get Permanent Residence (PR). Anyone who has 5 years since first card issue can apply for PR, there are no age restrictions.
To get citizenship as a minor child of a naturalized parent (Article 2), there is no definitive requirement of language ability, but there is a requirement of “connection to the Portuguese community” and language ability is one strong way to demonstrate this.
Hello - I see this is a very hot topic. I am curious if anyone has leveraged services from the firm GetA2Online [https://www.geta2.online] and if so, what was your experience? I looking for an online course with hours that align with PST as I am in California, that does not require the need for a resident permit or a Portuguese SSN.
I am afraid that would be impossible by definition as the school would need to issue an A2 certificate with your Portuguese details on it, so that you in turn could use it for your perm. residence or citizenship application.
If you only need a random A2 certificate without having your permit number or NIF on it, you can probably print it for yourself, but it won’t be no good for anything.
@tommigun thank you for the feedback. I have recently engaged Global Citizen Solutions to assist with my citizen application process and they have told me there is no need for Portuguese details, however, your insight makes total sense. I will loop back with GCS to ensure they are sharing correct info so I don’t have any issues with my language requirement completion / certification.
I am realizing there are several “chicken & egg” requirements with the familial citizenship process!
The only language training / certification place I have found that doesn’t require to Portuguese documentation is Ciple Master, which of course is the most expensive option!
So far the info shared here has been so helpful, I will continue to explore and educate myself on the processes.
I am about a month in. It is one hour a week on video. The rest is just a few videos and easy homework. Not really going to learn a lot, but it checks a box. I finished Duolingo so this is a review for me. The only downside is that you have to spend 150 hours on the website which is tracked. We wind up watching the same videos over and over.
Hi. I did the Ciple exam after private 80 hrs instruction. If you want to speak the language then I recommend this route (plus walking a dog 4 times a day un Lisbon). If its paperwork then wait until your citizenhip papers are filed.
NIALP told me they’re not running this course again where you watch most of the videos in your own time, due to issues with the provider. If anyone is told otherwise please let me know, as it may work for my husband.
In September they told me that the course was full but that it would be offered in January 2026. Earlier this month they told me that the course was not confirmed (which I took to mean the January start date was not confirmed). If might not be happening at all that would not be good, as there don’t seem to be may other online courses with this level of flexibility as to when you can study.
Edu SetPT is not listed on Qualifica, but they claim to have signed protocols with entities that are on Qualifica (such as AEP and Escola Profissional de Tondela).
Does anyone know if certificate issued by Edu SetPT is acceptable for the citizenship application? I am planning to enroll in the general course.
Thanks in advance (and apologies if this has been answered before).
As per my lawyer, Qualifica lists all approved institutes for the Portuguese language (and other qualifications). Accordingly, I asked Edu SetPT about being listed on Qualifica.
Ok, in that case the relevant schools are listed on Qualifica. You attend the PLA course provided by the school. EduSetPt organize the scheduling/logistics of delivering the said course to you.
As Tommy has clarified, there are N number of institutes which acts as an organisers and agencies for the PLA qualifications. Technically almost all the PLA’s are free and Qualifica centres do get a lot of subsidies from the Government and they can pop-up a course whenever they need and can even charge the money. EdPro, EdSet and many more agencies have found a way to collaborate with these Qualifica centres to carve-out a course to suit our case. So it’s a win-win situation for all the parties involved. Qualifica centre and the agency makes money and the student’s dont have to wait for 2-3 years before enrolling into a PLA course offered by the government(free).
They offer the SIGO certificate which after several confirmation emails and agreement by our attorney, they assure us works for the certification approach to language. It was completely customized for our schedule and only our family via zoom calls. We wont know for sure if it is accepted until we try it on the nationality application. We have a family member with a learning disability so there is no way he would pass the A2 exam. Fingers crossed.