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

No

While the word is identical in its use as an adjective (meaning "personal," as in assunto pessoal) and as a formal noun referring to "personnel" or "staff" (as in o pessoal da limpeza), there is a significant difference in typical usage when addressing or referring to a group of friends or an informal group of people.

In Brazilian Portuguese, pessoal is the most natural and common way to say "guys," "folks," or "everyone" when addressing a group. In Continental Portuguese, while "pessoal" can be used to refer to "the staff" or "the people" in a general sense, it is much less common as an informal vocative to address friends. Instead, a Portuguese person would almost instinctively use the word malta.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Oi, pessoal! Tudo bem? (Hi, guys! Is everything okay?)
2. O pessoal vai sair para jantar hoje. (The folks/the group are going out to dinner today.)
3. Avisa o pessoal que a reunião foi cancelada. (Let everyone/the guys know that the meeting was canceled.)
4. O pessoal da loja é muito legal. (The people/staff at the store are very nice.)
5. Pessoal, presta atenção aqui! (Guys, pay attention here!)

Portuguese (Portugal) Examples

1. Olá, malta! Tudo bem? (Hi, guys! Is everything okay?)
2. A malta vai sair para jantar hoje. (The gang/the folks are going out to dinner today.)
3. Avisa a malta que a reunião foi cancelada. (Let everyone/the guys know that the meeting was canceled.)
4. O pessoal da loja é muito porreiro. (The staff at the store is very cool.)
5. Malta, prestem atenção aqui! (Guys, pay attention here!)