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

No

The difference lies in typical usage. While a Portuguese person would understand the word "varal" due to the heavy influence of Brazilian media, it is not the standard term used in Portugal. In Continental Portuguese, the standard word for a clothesline or a drying rack is estendal.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Vou estender a roupa no varal. (I am going to hang the clothes on the clothesline.)
2. O varal está cheio de lençóis. (The clothesline is full of sheets.)
3. O vento derrubou as roupas do varal. (The wind knocked the clothes off the clothesline.)
4. Preciso comprar um varal novo para o apartamento. (I need to buy a new drying rack for the apartment.)
5. Deixe as camisetas secando no varal. (Leave the t-shirts drying on the clothesline.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Vou pôr a roupa no estendal. (I am going to put the clothes on the drying rack.)
2. O estendal está cheio de lençóis. (The drying rack is full of sheets.)
3. O vento derrubou a roupa do estendal. (The wind knocked the clothes off the drying rack.)
4. Preciso comprar um estendal novo para a varanda. (I need to buy a new drying rack for the balcony.)
5. Deixa as t-shirts a secar no estendal. (Leave the t-shirts to dry on the drying rack.)