São Paulo – The Brazilian government on Monday (27) opened registration for the second 2026 edition of the exam that certifies proficiency in Brazilian Portuguese for foreigners who need to demonstrate their command of the language. According to the website of the Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese for Foreigners (Celpe-Bras), candidates can register to take the exam in 33 countries in addition to Brazil. Lebanon is the only Arab country on the list of testing locations.
In Lebanon, the exam will be administered at the Guimarães Rosa Institute in Beirut, which will offer a total of 20 places. The institute is an official body of Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs established to promote Brazilian culture, disseminate the Portuguese language abroad, and manage international educational cooperation. The Beirut institute has traditionally served as one of the exam’s testing centers.
Outside Brazil, the exam will be held from Nov. 24 to 27. In addition to Lebanon, candidates may take the test in Germany, Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Slovakia, Spain, the United States, Finland, France, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Macau, Mozambique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Russia, Suriname, São Tomé and Príncipe, Uruguay, and South Africa.
The Celpe-Bras certificate is accepted by universities for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as by Brazilian companies. The exam is also recognized in diploma validation processes for foreign professionals seeking to work in Brazil. The validity period of the certificate and the required level of Portuguese proficiency are determined by the institutions that require it.
Those wishing to take the exam must register through the Celpe-Bras System of the National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (INEP) by Aug. 6 (11:59 p.m. Brasília time). The registration fee may be paid between July 27 and Aug. 7. During registration, applicants must indicate the country and testing center where they intend to take the exam.
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Translated by Guilherme Miranda
