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

No.

While the spelling and core meaning of "colegas" are identical in both dialects, there are differences in pronunciation and typical usage.

• Pronunciation: In Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are generally more open and clearly articulated. In Continental Portuguese, there is significant "vowel reduction," where unstressed vowels (like the 'e' in colegas) are much more closed, shortened, or almost silent.
• Typical Usage: In Continental Portuguese, it is much more common to use a definite article before a possessive adjective (e.g., "os meus colegas" instead of just "meus colegas"). Additionally, the semantic scope of "colega" in Brazil can extend to a casual acquaintance or even a stranger in certain contexts, whereas in Portugal, it more strictly refers to a peer in a professional or academic setting.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Meus colegas de trabalho são muito legais. (My work colleagues are very nice.)
2. Eu e meus colegas de classe vamos sair hoje. (Me and my classmates are going out today.)
3. Ela é uma colega de trabalho incrível. (She is an amazing work colleague.)
4. Preciso conversar com meus colegas de faculdade. (I need to talk to my college classmates.)
5. Meus colegas de projeto são muito esforçados. (My project colleagues are very hardworking.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Os meus colegas de trabalho são muito porreiros. (My work colleagues are very cool.)
2. Eu e os meus colegas de turma vamos sair hoje. (Me and my classmates are going out today.)
3. Ela é uma colega de trabalho incrível. (She is an amazing work colleague.)
4. Preciso de falar com os meus colegas da universidade. (I need to speak with my university classmates.)
5. Os meus colegas de projeto são muito esforçados. (My project colleagues are very hardworking.)