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

No

While the fundamental meaning of the word remains the same (relating to the verb contar: to count, to tell, or to depend), there is a major difference in grammatical usage regarding how continuous actions are expressed.

In Brazilian Portuguese, the gerund (contando) is the standard way to express an ongoing action (the present continuous). In Continental Portuguese, the standard way to express an ongoing action is by using the preposition a followed by the infinitive (a contar). While a Portuguese person might use "contando" in specific contexts (such as a participle in a sentence), they would rarely use it to describe something happening right now.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Estou contando o dinheiro para pagar a conta. (I am counting the money to pay the bill.)
2. Ele está contando uma piada para as crianças. (He is telling a joke to the children.)
3. Eu estou contando com você para esse projeto. (I am counting on you for this project.)
4. Eles estão contando os dias para as férias. (They are counting the days until the holidays.)
5. Você está contando a verdade? (Are you telling the truth?)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Estou a contar o dinheiro para pagar a conta. (I am counting the money to pay the bill.)
2. Ele está a contar uma piada às crianças. (He is telling a joke to the children.)
3. Eu estou a contar contigo para este projeto. (I am counting on you for this project.)
4. Eles estão a contar os dias para as férias. (They are counting the days until the holidays.)
5. Tu estás a contar a verdade? (Are you telling the truth?)