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

No.

While the meaning, spelling, and grammar of the word "tampar" are identical in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese, there is a difference in typical usage. In Brazil, "tampar" is the standard and most frequent verb used to describe the act of covering an opening, blocking a view, or closing a container. In Portugal, while "tampar" is understood and grammatically correct, the verb "tapar" is much more common and is the natural choice for expressing these same actions.

Brazilian Portuguese (Typical usage)

  1. Não esqueça de tampar o pote de manteiga. (Don't forget to cover the butter jar.)
  2. O sol está tentando tampar a minha visão. (The sun is trying to block my vision.)
  3. Você precisa tampar esse buraco na parede. (You need to cover this hole in the wall.)
  4. Ela usou um pano para tampar o corte. (She used a cloth to cover the cut.)
  5. O capuz serve para tampar o rosto do frio. (The hood serves to cover the face from the cold.)

Continental Portuguese (Natural expression)

  1. Não te esqueças de tapar o frasco da manteiga. (Don't forget to cover the butter jar.)
  2. O sol está a tentar tapar-me a visão. (The sun is trying to block my vision.)
  3. Precisas de tapar esse buraco na parede. (You need to cover this hole in the wall.)
  4. Ela usou um pano para tapar o corte. (She used a cloth to cover the cut.)
  5. O capuz serve para tapar o rosto do frio. (The hood serves to cover the face from the cold.)