Is CIPLE or PLA cheaper for getting A2 certified?

CIPLE has the lower upfront cost if you pass first time: typically 90 to 120 euros. PLA course fees vary enormously. Government-subsidised courses can be free or very low cost for eligible residents, while private courses run from a few hundred euros to over a thousand.

Updated September 2026 · 2 min read

The headline numbers

CIPLE: 90 to 120 euros for the exam, varying by centre and country. Add preparation costs on top, and multiply the exam fee by every attempt.

PLA: subsidised courses can be free or very low cost for eligible residents. Private courses range from a few hundred euros to over a thousand, depending on provider, format and duration.

The subsidised course changes everything

If you qualify for a subsidised PLA course, it is very likely the cheapest route available to you, and the comparison stops being close. That eligibility is worth investigating before you assume the exam is the economical option, because it is the single largest swing in this decision.

Why the retake risk matters to the comparison

The exam fee is a one-off if you pass and a recurring cost if you do not. Each attempt is the full fee again, plus months of waiting for the next session, plus another results cycle.

So the fair comparison is not "120 euros versus 600 euros". It is "120 euros if this goes well, 240 or 360 if it does not, spread across a year" versus a known course fee on a known schedule.

For someone comfortably above A2 already, the exam is clearly cheaper. For someone who is not there yet and would be gambling on a first attempt, the arithmetic narrows considerably.

Costs on both sides that people forget

CIPLE: travel to a centre with availability, time off work, preparation materials, 25 euros to replace a lost certificate, 25 euros for a re-mark.
PLA: the time cost of 150 to 200 hours of attendance, which for someone working full time is the real price rather than the fee.

The verdict

CIPLE is cheaper upfront if you pass on the first attempt. A subsidised PLA course can be cheaper overall. A private PLA course is typically the most expensive option in cash terms, and buys predictability and structure in return.

Is CIPLE or PLA faster to get A2 certified?

CIPLE is faster if you are already at A2: roughly 2 to 4 months to register, sit the exam and receive results. PLA takes 2 to 6 months of course time. The real difference is predictability. With PLA you know the timeline from the start rather than waiting on CAPLE's calendar.

How much does the CIPLE exam cost to sit?

Typically between 90 and 120 euros, depending on the centre and the country. Fees are set by the centre rather than being one global price, so confirm with yours before budgeting. A retake costs the full fee again, which is the part that makes an unprepared first attempt expensive.

Can I get A2 Portuguese certified for free in Portugal?

Possibly, through a subsidised PLA course. Government-subsidised courses can be free or very low cost for eligible residents, and they are the only realistic route to a free A2 certificate. The CIPLE exam always carries a fee, typically 90 to 120 euros, with no free option.