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

Yes

The word "ia" is identical in meaning, grammar, and spelling in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. It is the first-person and third-person singular imperfect indicative of the verb ir (to go). The only difference lies in pronunciation. In Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are generally more open and the prosody (the rhythm of the sentence) is more melodic. In Continental Portuguese, the vowels can be more closed or reduced, and the rhythm is more "clipped." While the word "ia" itself does not change, the words and grammatical structures that surround it—such as prepositions, pronouns, and nouns—frequently differ between the two dialects.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples:

  1. Eu ia te ligar mais tarde. (I was going to call you later.)
  2. A gente ia de ônibus para o trabalho. (We were going by bus to work.)
  3. Eu ia no mercado comprar pão. (I was going to the market to buy bread.)
  4. Ela ia muito ao shopping. (She used to go to the mall a lot.)
  5. Você ia junto com a gente? (Were you going with us?)

Continental Portuguese Examples:

  1. Eu ia ligar-te mais tarde. (I was going to call you later.)
  2. Ela ia de autocarro para o trabalho. (She was going by bus to work.)
  3. Eu ia ao supermercado comprar pão. (I was going to the supermarket to buy bread.)
  4. Ela ia muito ao centro comercial. (She used to go to the shopping center a lot.)
  5. Ela ia connosco. (She was going with us.)