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

No

The difference lies in typical usage. In Brazilian Portuguese, "frear" is the standard and most natural verb used for the physical action of applying brakes to a vehicle (cars, bicycles, trains, etc.). In Continental Portuguese, while "frear" is understood, it is rarely used for vehicles; instead, the verb "travar" is the natural choice. In Portugal, "frear" is typically reserved for figurative contexts, such as restraining an impulse or slowing down a process. Additionally, the terminology for the actors involved often differs (e.g., "motorista" in Brazil vs. "condutor" in Portugal).

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. O motorista precisou frear o carro de repente. (The driver had to brake the car suddenly.)
2. É muito importante frear antes da curva fechada. (It is very important to brake before the sharp curve.)
3. Você precisa frear um pouco seus gastos mensais. (You need to slow down your monthly spending a bit.)
4. O ciclista freou bruscamente para desviar do buraco. (The cyclist braked abruptly to avoid the pothole.)
5. Ele não conseguiu frear a empolgação ao receber a notícia. (He couldn't restrain his excitement upon receiving the news.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. O condutor precisou travar o automóvel de repente. (The driver had to brake the car suddenly.)
2. É muito importante travar antes da curva fechada. (It is very important to brake before the sharp curve.)
3. Precisas de travar um pouco os teus gastos mensais. (You need to slow down your monthly spending a bit.)
4. O ciclista travou bruscamente para desviar do buraco. (The cyclist braked abruptly to avoid the pothole.)
5. Ele não conseguiu travar a empolgação ao receber a notícia. (He couldn't restrain his excitement upon receiving the news.)