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

No

While the spelling and fundamental meaning of "ela" are identical in both dialects, there are significant differences in typical usage and pronunciation:

• Usage: In colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, "ela" is frequently used as a direct object (e.g., "Eu vi ela" instead of "Eu a vi"). In Continental Portuguese, this is considered grammatically incorrect; object pronouns must be clitics (e.g., "Eu vi-a").
• Pronunciation: In Brazilian Portuguese, the "e" is generally more open and clearly articulated. In Continental Portuguese, unstressed vowels often undergo reduction or are "swallowed," making the "e" sound much more closed or even like a faint schwa.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Ela é muito legal. (She is very nice.)
2. Eu vi ela no shopping. (I saw her at the mall. — Colloquial usage)
3. Ela gosta de comer pizza. (She likes to eat pizza.)
4. Ela vai viajar nas férias. (She is going to travel on vacation.)
5. Onde ela trabalha? (Where does she work?)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Ela é muito porreira. (She is very cool.)
2. Eu vi-a no centro comercial. (I saw her at the mall. — Standard usage)
3. Ela gosta de comer pizza. (She likes to eat pizza.)
4. Ela vai viajar nas férias. (She is going to travel on vacation.)
5. Onde é que ela trabalha? (Where is it that she works?)