FAQ – Portuguese Non-Mother Language (PLNM)
Portuguese as a Non-Native Language (PLNM) is an educational program designed for students who do not have Portuguese as their mother tongue or who did not have Portuguese as the language of their schooling.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
The PLNM program is intended for students newly arrived in the national education system who do not have Portuguese as their mother tongue or as a language of schooling, and for whom, according to their school history and sociolinguistic profile, the school considers it to be the most appropriate curricular offering.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
The PLNM aims to promote equitable conditions of access to the curriculum and educational success, particularly with regard to learning and sufficient mastery of the Portuguese language as a vehicle for all school knowledge, as well as ensuring the integration and inclusion of students in the education system.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
Placement is determined by the school, based on the student's sociolinguistic profile and a diagnostic test.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
Information should be collected specifically about languages spoken at home, with friends, family and colleagues, educational background and length of stay in Portugal.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
Full versions of the diagnostic instrument models are available on the EduQA, IP portal .
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
The language proficiency levels are: Beginner (A1, A2), Intermediate (B1, B2) and Advanced (C1).
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
Level zero corresponds to an absolute initiation into the Portuguese language, in both oral and written form, constituting a preliminary stage in language learning, characterized by limited communicative skills.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
Support measures for learning can be implemented, including the possibility of progressive integration into the curriculum – applicable in the school year in which students at level zero and at the beginner language proficiency levels (A1/A2) enter the education system, as well as in the following school year if their entry occurs in the last six months of the previous school year – and adaptations to internal and external assessment.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
Attendance can occur in groups (8-10 students, depending on the level) or in the entire class, during the Portuguese language class periods, when it is not possible to form groups.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
No, the organization depends on the number of students and the pedagogical feasibility.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
The transition to the next level of language proficiency occurs according to the following sequence: A1–A2–B1–B2. This transition can occur at the end of the school year or at any other time during the year, provided that the student obtains a passing grade on an intermediate test prepared by the school, in accordance with the applicable pedagogical guidelines.
In the 9th and 12th years of schooling, the summative assessment process is complemented by the completion of the final tests of basic education and the national final exams of secondary education. Accordingly, passing the language proficiency level implies that the final grade in the subject (and not just the grade of the test or exam) is equal to or higher than level 3 in basic education, or equal to or higher than 10 in secondary education.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
Yes, students can remain at language proficiency levels A1, A2, and B1 for up to two academic years.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
Students at language proficiency levels B2 and C1 follow the national Portuguese curriculum and may, at the school's discretion, benefit from support classes within the framework of the Portuguese as a Second Language (PLNM).
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
In order to promote their inclusion in the education system, the internal assessment of Portuguese as a Second Language (PLNM) students enrolled at level zero or at the beginner level of language proficiency (A1, A2) may be expressed through a descriptive assessment, within the adopted organizational period (quarterly or semesterly) in which they are integrated into the education system.
The assessment process for these students is carried out in accordance with the guidelines set out in the document "Orientations for Level Zero" and the legal regulations in force governing the assessment and certification of learning (both in basic and secondary education). It is the responsibility of the teaching council/class council to assess and decide, taking into account each student's specific learning path, their learning and potential for building a school path in accordance with the principles, vision, values and areas of competence foreseen in the "Profile of Students Leaving Compulsory Education," within a timeframe for its implementation.
For transition/approval purposes, it is emphasized that the school, when deciding to implement progressive integration into the curriculum, must define the assessment adaptations it deems necessary.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
The assessment is the responsibility of the class/Portuguese teacher, in conjunction with the teacher of Portuguese as a Second Language, when applicable.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
No, the replacement is only applicable to students at level zero and levels A1, A2, and B1 of language proficiency.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
The average of the grades obtained in the PLNM (Portuguese as a Second Language) subject and the Portuguese subject is calculated.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
The grade is recorded on an assessment sheet, as in other subjects.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
Students who are at the Beginner (A1/A2) or Intermediate (B1) language proficiency levels may take the National Final Exam in Portuguese as a Second Language, in place of the National Final Exam in Portuguese.
Students of Portuguese as a Second Language (PLNM), at an Intermediate level of language proficiency (B2), who are attending the 12th grade and who have completed the Intermediate level of language proficiency (B1) in the 11th grade, may take the national final exam for PLNM (839) to pass the subject and complete secondary education, but must also take the national final exam for Portuguese (639) if they cancel their enrollment by the penultimate week of the 3rd term, have been excluded due to absences, or for the purposes of entrance exams.
For further information, please consult the Regulations for Basic and Secondary Education Tests/Exams, issued annually.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 86/2025/1, of March 6.
Students enrolled in the 9th grade who are at the beginner (A1, A2) or intermediate (B1) language proficiency levels take the corresponding end-of-cycle exam, replacing the Portuguese end-of-cycle exam, according to the following codes:
– Students at the beginner level (A1, A2) – Final Exam in Portuguese as a Second Language (A2) – code 93
– Students at the intermediate level (B1) – Final Exam in Portuguese as a Second Language (B1) – code 94
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended.
Yes, the national final exam in Portuguese as a Second Language (PLNM) allows access to higher education, except when the course/higher education institution requires Portuguese as an entrance exam.
Legal basis : General rules for access to higher education.
In accordance with point b) of paragraph 12 of Article 34 of Decree No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as currently worded, the class council may decide on the transition of a student from PLNM (Portuguese as a Second Language), provided that the student demonstrates skills and abilities that allow them to continue their educational path, and it is up to the school to take steps to implement appropriate responses so that this student can develop the learning that has not yet been achieved.
Regarding the assessment of the curriculum components attended by the student, a descriptive evaluation should be prioritized, explaining what the student is capable of doing, what they need to improve, and providing guidance for their progress.
The decisions made by the school in this area should be recorded in the student's biographical record.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended.
In the 6th and 9th years of schooling, students must take the Extraordinary Assessment Tests (PEA), in accordance with the provisions of point 5 of Annex XIV, Procedure for taking the extraordinary assessment test, of Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as currently worded:
“5 – It is the responsibility of the school's administration and management body to set the date for the PEA (Physical Education and Activities) within the period between the end of the school year and June 30th, ensuring that information regarding its implementation is disseminated within fifteen days prior to the end of the school year.”
In the 9th grade, if students do not meet the passing requirements after completing the PEA (Professional Assessment and Evaluation) and final exams in the first phase, they may take the final exams and/or the equivalency exams that allow them to pass and complete the 3rd cycle, and may choose to take only the exams necessary to complete it.
Legal basis : Decree-Law No. 54/2018, of July 6, as amended; Decree-Law No. 55/2018, of July 6, as amended; Ministerial Order No. 223-A/2018, of August 3, as amended.