Is the word cabeças the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No

Explanation

While the spelling and grammar of "cabeças" are identical in both dialects, there are differences in typical usage and idiomatic expression. In Brazil, "cabeças" is frequently used colloquially to refer to "people" or "workers" in a quantitative sense (e.g., "more heads for the project"), whereas a Portuguese person would more naturally use "gente" or "pessoas." Additionally, in Brazil, "cabeça" is often used as a metaphor for intelligence or "brains," a usage less common in Portugal. The pronunciation also differs significantly: Brazilian Portuguese features more open vowels, while Continental Portuguese uses more closed vowels and a distinct "sh" [ʃ] sound for the final "s."

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Ele tem duas cabeças. (He has two heads.)
2. Precisamos de mais cabeças para esse projeto. (We need more heads/people for this project.)
3. Ele tem muita cabeça. (He is very smart/has a lot of brains.)
4. Não percam as cabeças durante a reunião. (Don't lose your heads during the meeting.)
5. As cabeças de gado estão no pasto. (The heads of cattle are in the pasture.)

Portuguese (Continental) Examples

1. Ele tem duas cabeças. (He has two heads.)
2. Precisamos de mais gente para este projeto. (We need more people for this project.)
3. Ele é muito inteligente. (He is very intelligent.)
4. Não percam a cabeça durante a reunião. (Don't lose your head during the meeting.)
5. As cabeças de gado estão no pasto. (The heads of cattle are in the pasture.)