Centro de Avaliação e Certificação de Português Língua Estrangeira (CAPLE)
by Faculdade de Letras, Universidade de Lisboa
Does not expire
Relocation Pathways
| Country | Purpose | Requirement | Visa / Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Citizenship | A2 (CIPLE) | — |
| Portugal | Residency | A2 (CIPLE) for permanent residency after 5 years | — |
| Portugal | University | B2 (DIPLE) for most programs | — |
Levels & Pricing (USD)
- ACESSO~$701h 45m
- CIPLE~$852h 15m
- DEPLE~$1002h 45m
- DIPLE~$1203h 15m
- DAPLE~$1403h 30m
- DUPLE~$1603h 45m
Dates & Locations
Offered 2–4 times per year at authorized centers. Dates vary by location.
Why Take CAPLE?
Portuguese Citizenship
CAPLE A2 (CIPLE) is required for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization after 5 years of legal residency. One of the lowest language thresholds for EU citizenship.
D7 & Golden Visa Path
No Portuguese language requirement for the D7 or Golden Visa itself. A2 is only needed when applying for citizenship after 5 years of residency.
University in Portugal
B2 (DIPLE) is required for most Portuguese-taught university programs. Some graduate programs in English may waive this.
Exam Structure
Reading Comprehension
Written Expression
Listening Comprehension
Oral Expression
Frequently Asked Questions
What CAPLE level do I need for Portuguese citizenship?
A2 (CIPLE). This is the minimum required under Portuguese nationality law. Combined with 5 years of legal residency and a clean criminal record, it opens the path to EU citizenship.
Do I need CAPLE for the D7 visa?
No. The D7 (passive income) visa has no language requirement. You only need A2 Portuguese when applying for citizenship after 5 years of residency.
Do CAPLE certificates expire?
No. CAPLE certificates are valid for life. However, some institutions may prefer recent results. For citizenship applications, the certificate is accepted regardless of when it was obtained.
