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

No

While the primary definition of "panela" (a cooking vessel) is identical in both dialects, there are differences in typical usage and idiomatic meaning. In Brazil, "panela" is used colloquially to describe a "clique" or a group of people who favor one another (e.g., "fazer panela"). In Portugal, this concept is more naturally expressed using the word "grupinho." Furthermore, while "panela" is used in Portugal, a Portuguese person is more likely to use "tacho" for a larger or deeper pot, or "caçarola" for a casserole-style pan. There is also a difference in the verbs used to describe the sound of a pressure cooker: Brazilians use "apitar" (to whistle), while Portuguese people use "chiar" (to hiss/squeal).

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Coloque o feijão na panela. (Put the beans in the pot.)
2. A panela de pressão está apitando. (The pressure cooker is whistling.)
3. Ela limpou a panela muito bem. (She cleaned the pot very well.)
4. Vou comprar uma panela de barro. (I am going to buy a clay pot.)
5. Ele sempre faz panela no escritório. (He always forms cliques at the office.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Coloque o feijão no tacho. (Put the beans in the pot.)
2. A panela de pressão está a chiar. (The pressure cooker is hissing.)
3. Ela limpou o tacho muito bem. (She cleaned the pot very well.)
4. Vou comprar uma caçarola de barro. (I am going to buy a clay casserole pan.)
5. Ele sempre anda com aquele grupinho no escritório. (He always hangs out with that little clique at the office.)