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

Yes

The word "nelas" is a contraction of the preposition em (in, on, at, or among) and the feminine plural pronoun elas (them). There are no differences in meaning, grammar, spelling, or the fundamental way the word is used between Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The only difference is pronunciation: Brazilian Portuguese tends to pronounce the vowels clearly and openly, while Continental Portuguese frequently undergoes vowel reduction, making the "e" much shorter, unstressed, or almost silent (sounding more like n'las).

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Eu acredito nelas. (I believe in them.)
  2. As fotos são lindas, eu me perco nelas. (The photos are beautiful, I get lost in them.)
  3. Vi as caixas e guardei as canetas nelas. (I saw the boxes and put the pens in them.)
  4. Essas meninas são legais, eu vejo beleza nelas. (Those girls are cool, I see beauty in them.)
  5. As chaves estavam soltas, mas agora estão seguras nelas (nas bolsas). (The keys were loose, but now they are safe in them/the bags.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. Eu acredito nelas. (I believe in them.)
  2. As fotografias são lindas, perdi-me nelas. (The photographs are beautiful, I lost myself in them.)
  3. Vi as caixas e guardei as canetas nelas. (I saw the boxes and put the pens in them.)
  4. Estas raparigas são simpáticas, vejo beleza nelas. (These girls are nice, I see beauty in them.)
  5. As chaves estavam soltas, mas agora encontram-se seguras nelas (nas malas). (The keys were loose, but now they are safe in them/the bags.)