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

No.

While the meaning and spelling of "eles" are identical in both varieties, there are significant differences in typical usage and pronunciation.

In Brazilian Portuguese, "eles" is frequently used as a direct object in colloquial speech (e.g., "Eu vi eles"), a practice that is considered grammatically incorrect in Continental Portuguese. In Portugal, the clitic pronoun "os" is used instead (e.g., "Vi-os"). Additionally, pronunciation differs: in Brazil, the final "s" is typically a sibilant [s], whereas in much of Portugal, it is a postalveolar [ʃ], sounding like "sh." Furthermore, the unstressed "e" is much more clearly articulated in Brazil, while in Portugal, it is often reduced to a near-silent or very short vowel.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Eles chegaram agora. (They arrived just now.)
2. Eu chamei eles para o jantar. (I called them for dinner.)
3. Eles gostam de viajar. (They like to travel.)
4. Você viu eles na escola? (Did you see them at school?)
5. Eles são meus primos. (They are my cousins.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Eles chegaram agora. (They arrived just now.)
2. Chamei-os para o jantar. (I called them for dinner.)
3. Eles gostam de viajar. (They like to travel.)
4. Viste-os na escola? (Did you see them at school?)
5. Eles são os meus primos. (They are my cousins.)