Path to Citizenship

Portuguese Language Lessons

Learn Portuguese with qualified native tutors. Whether you need A2 level for citizenship, want to improve daily life in Portugal, or start from zero - we match you with the right teacher.

Native Speakers
1-on-1 & Groups
Online or In-Person

Why Portuguese Matters for D8 Visa Holders

Required for Citizenship

A2 level Portuguese is mandatory for citizenship after 5 years. Start learning now to be ready. Exam includes speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Daily Life Quality

Even basic Portuguese dramatically improves daily life: interact with locals, navigate bureaucracy (SEF, Finanças), understand menus, make friends.

Integration & Belonging

Portuguese people deeply appreciate when foreigners make an effort to learn their language. Opens social doors that stay closed for English-only speakers.

Career Opportunities

Portuguese fluency opens local job opportunities, freelance work with Portuguese clients, and makes you more valuable to international companies operating in Portugal.

Visa Renewal Advantage

While not required for D8 renewal, demonstrating Portuguese language progress shows integration effort and can strengthen residence permit applications.

Easier Than You Think

Portuguese has simpler grammar than English (no do/does, regular conjugations). Pronunciation is tricky but learnable. A2 level achievable in 6-12 months with consistent practice.

Course Options

Most Effective

1-on-1 Private Lessons

Personalized curriculum tailored to your level, goals, and schedule. Maximum progress per hour.

What's Included
  • Native Portuguese tutor matched to your needs
  • Custom curriculum based on your goals (A2 exam, conversational, etc.)
  • Flexible scheduling (evenings, weekends available)
  • Online (Zoom/Skype) or in-person (Lisbon, Porto)
  • Homework, exercises, and learning materials included
  • Progress tracking and regular assessments
Pricing
$35-50/hour

Typical package: 2 hours/week × 4 weeks = $280-400/month

Find 1-on-1 Tutor
Budget-Friendly

Small Group Classes

Learn with 3-6 other digital nomads at your level. Social, affordable, and still effective.

What's Included
  • Groups of 3-6 students at similar levels
  • Structured curriculum (A1, A2, B1, B2 levels)
  • Fixed schedule: 2-3 times/week, 90-minute sessions
  • Online or in-person (Lisbon, Porto)
  • Coursebook and materials included
  • Practice conversations with classmates
Pricing
$180-250/month

8-12 sessions per month (90 minutes each)

Join Group Class
Fast Track

Intensive Programs

Accelerated learning for people with specific deadlines (citizenship exam, job requirement, etc.).

What's Included
  • 10-20 hours/week of instruction
  • 1-on-1 sessions + group practice
  • 4-12 week programs (reach A2 in 3 months, B1 in 6 months)
  • Immersion activities: cultural visits, conversation meetups
  • Mock exams and test prep (for A2 citizenship exam)
Pricing
$800-1,500/month

40-80 hours/month of intensive study

Start Intensive Program
Citizenship Track

A2 Exam Prep Course

Focused prep for Portuguese citizenship A2 language exam. Covers all test sections with practice exams.

What's Included
  • Tutor experienced with official A2 exam format
  • Focus on 4 exam sections: speaking, listening, reading, writing
  • Practice with past exam questions and mock tests
  • 8-12 weeks of focused prep (assumes basic Portuguese knowledge)
  • Exam registration assistance
Pricing
$400-600

12-16 hours of 1-on-1 exam prep sessions

Prep for A2 Exam

Our Tutor Network

100%

Native Portuguese Speakers

3+

Years Teaching Experience

4.8+

Average Student Rating

How We Vet Our Tutors

1

Native Portuguese Speakers

All tutors are native speakers from Portugal (not Brazilian Portuguese, which has different pronunciation and vocabulary). Most are from Lisbon or Porto.

2

Teaching Certification or Experience

Tutors either have formal teaching qualifications (CELTA, TEFL adapted for Portuguese) or 3+ years teaching Portuguese to foreigners. We verify credentials.

3

English Fluency

All tutors speak English fluently (B2+ level minimum). This is critical for beginners who need grammar explanations in English.

4

Specialization Match

We match you based on your goal: A2 exam prep tutors have helped students pass the official test, conversational tutors focus on speaking practice, business Portuguese tutors understand professional vocabulary.

5

Student Reviews

We track student feedback and only keep tutors with 4.5+ star ratings. If you're not satisfied with your match, we'll find you a different tutor at no extra cost.

How Long to Reach A2 Level?

Absolute Beginner → A2

Intensive Pace (10-15 hours/week)
3-4 months

With 1-on-1 lessons + daily practice, you can reach A2 in 3-4 months. This requires serious commitment: lessons + homework + immersion.

Standard Pace (4-6 hours/week)
6-9 months

Most students reach A2 in 6-9 months with 2 lessons/week + homework + casual practice. Realistic for working professionals.

Casual Pace (2-3 hours/week)
12-18 months

One lesson/week with minimal practice. Progress is slower but still achievable if consistent over time.

What is A2 Level?

A2 (Elementary) means you can:

  • • Understand basic conversations about familiar topics
  • • Introduce yourself, order food, ask for directions
  • • Write simple emails and fill out forms
  • • Read short texts and signs
  • • Handle most daily situations (shopping, appointments, etc.)

This is the minimum required for Portuguese citizenship. It's achievable - you don't need to be fluent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portuguese hard to learn for English speakers?

Medium difficulty. Grammar is simpler than English in some ways (no do/does, more regular verb conjugations), but pronunciation is challenging. Written Portuguese is easier to understand than spoken. With consistent practice, A2 level is very achievable in 6-12 months.

Can I learn Portuguese just from Duolingo/apps?

Apps are helpful for vocabulary and basic grammar, but not sufficient for A2 exam or real conversations. You need speaking practice with a tutor to develop pronunciation, listening comprehension, and conversational skills. Combine apps with lessons for best results.

Should I learn European or Brazilian Portuguese?

For D8 visa holders in Portugal, learn European Portuguese. Pronunciation, vocabulary, and formality levels differ significantly from Brazilian Portuguese. The A2 citizenship exam tests European Portuguese specifically.

When should I start learning if I want citizenship?

Start as soon as you move to Portugal. You can apply for citizenship after 5 years, and need A2 level to pass. If you start immediately and study consistently, you'll be well beyond A2 by year 5 - possibly B1 or B2, which helps with integration.

Can I get a refund if I don't like my tutor?

Yes. We offer one free tutor swap if you're not satisfied with your match after the first 2 lessons. If the second tutor also doesn't work, we'll refund unused lesson credits. Our goal is finding the right fit for your learning style.

Do you provide the lessons yourself?

No - we connect you with vetted Portuguese tutors from our network. We coordinate scheduling, payments, and ensure quality, but the actual teaching is done by qualified native speakers. We take a 15-20% coordination fee on lesson fees.

What if I need to pause lessons temporarily?

Most tutors allow pausing for up to 4 weeks (vacation, work travel, etc.) without losing your spot. For longer pauses, you may need to reschedule when you return. We help coordinate this with your tutor.

Start Learning Portuguese Today

Get matched with a qualified tutor and take your first step toward A2 level

Free trial lesson available • Flexible scheduling • Cancel anytime