Never going to happen though, practically speaking.
ChatGPT it
Despite all odds, I managed to pass A2 CIPLE without taking a single class. I thought I did really poorly on the test, but the result was âbomâ. And so, the morale of the story is: do not be afraid to take the exam as it is easier than it seems.
P.S. I took the test in CĂĄceres, Spain. Perhaps they are more lenient abroad?
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Well done! Do you live in Portugal and use the language day to day?
Congrats! Even if the citizenship law is changed, the CIPLE should be good for Permanent Residence.
Yes, I do to an extent. Most of the time the Portuguese will still address you in English when they see you trying to speak with them in Portuguese. I often have to ask them to continue in their own language.
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Thanks! I hope it will still be useful for the citizenship as well. However, should the wait time be extended, I would get to B2 by then. 
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Hi Bonnie! Have you applied for citizenship yet with the SIGO certificate?
I am not yet eligible. I am hoping that this requirement isnt changed before I get the chance to use the certificate.
I have a question for those who are applying for the citizenship and obtained language certification:
Is the original printed certificate required for submission, or is a copy sent via e-mail sufficient?
Thank you.
My lawyer had asked for the original certificate to submit.
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If lawyers submit online, I wonder why it makes a difference?
I donât know exactly. Maybe itâs related to certification process. Iâve heard they have to keep the originals for a period of time, even if they submit online.
@PCERoman you need the hard copy if you apply for citizenship yourself in person. But if you use a legal representative itâs all done online, so in that case all the documents they submit are scans or e-versions. I emailed my lawyer the pdf copy of my CIPLE certificate (the consulate I did the test at emailed me a pdf certificate in addition to sending the hard copy). My lawyer said IRN can technically still ask for the physical copies, so just keep it on file in case.
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If the copy of certificate is authenticated by a PT lawyer, it should be ok?
Thanks, Jack! I will pick it up. To the great wisdom of the system, I must pick up the physical copy at the place of examination. In my case, it is CĂĄceres, Spain, about 3 hours by car. They will not forward the hard copy.
Fortunately, it is a really cute little town, and I am running low on good Manchego, spicy chorizo, and Spanish olives!..
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Thank you @Estu. I will retrieve mine.
When I collected my Certificate from PLA I was advised to get a copy done by a Public Notary here in Portugal. Official copies are apparently problematic to get hold of after the fact.
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Is it possible to take the PLA certificate original and have it notarized and apostilled , and use that as a valid replacement for the original PLA certificate?
@rogergan68 As far as I can tell, the pdf version that I was emailed was just a scan of the original. Thatâs all your lawyer needs to submit online, because in that process he/she certifies that the documents submitted online are copies of the originals. Depending how uptight your lawyer is, he/she might also want to see the original before they submit the pdf on your behalf. As I said, I was told IRN can later ask your lawyer for the originals but in practice rarely do.
If youâre talking about submitting in person yourself, I believe you can use a notarized copy, but it has to be a Portuguese notary, not a foreign. Given the vagaries of Portuguese front line staff, itâs probably a good idea to bring the original to your appointment anyway, so they can check it themselves and youâre less likely to have pushback leaving them a copy. You couldnât use the pdf version to submit in person without notarisation because you canât see the hologram seal.
@richn4 I think thatâs good advice
@portugalwanderer the notary has to be Portuguese (lawyer, consulate etc), so in that case no apostille needed
@PCERoman That will make it all worthwhile! Donât misplace your certificate in a haze of wine and cheese 
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