Lifelong learning is a long-standing European Union priority, with an emphasis on the need for it to be pursued by all, but particularly those at the risk of exclusion. This study explores participation in Portugal and the UK, countries at opposite ends of the European adult learning spectrum with markedly different contexts. Analysis reveals that universal penetration remains a challenge in both. Broadly speaking, in Portugal, the learning culture is some way from widespread adoption while, in the UK, predictable and steep educational/occupational hierarchies are evident. More detailed findings in both settings, however, belie some standard stereotypes.