Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Basta que a ligação funcione bem para a consulta online correr sem problemas. - It is enough that the connection works well for the online appointment to go smoothly.

Basta que a ligação funcione bem…
→ It is enough that the connection works well…
→ As long as the connection works well…
→ All you need is for the connection to work well…

It introduces a minimum condition that has to be met for something else to happen. In everyday English we often translate it more naturally as:

As long as the connection works well, the online consultation will run smoothly.

Why is it “funcione” and not “funciona” after “basta que”?

Because “funcione” is in the present subjunctive, and “basta que” is a trigger for the subjunctive in Portuguese.

You use the subjunctive after expressions that indicate:

a condition
something that is not a fact yet
possibility, wish, or necessity

Pattern:

Basta que + [verb in present subjunctive]

Examples:

Basta que ele chegue a horas.
It’s enough that he arrives on time / As long as he arrives on time.
Basta que estudes todos os dias.
It’s enough if you study every day.

So:

funciona = indicative (plain fact: it works)
funcione = subjunctive (condition: for it to work / if it works)

In English we don’t mark this difference in the same way, but Portuguese does, so “basta que” requires “funcione”.

Could I say “Basta a ligação funcionar bem…” instead of using “basta que”?

Yes, you can. Both are possible:

Basta que a ligação funcione bem…
Basta a ligação funcionar bem…

The version with “que” + subjunctive is a bit more standard/neutral in writing.
The version with infinitive (a ligação funcionar) is also common, especially in speech.

Very similar alternatives:

Basta que a ligação funcione bem para…
Basta a ligação funcionar bem para…
Basta a ligação funcionar bem, para… (comma optional depending on style)

Meaning-wise, they’re essentially the same: it’s enough that the connection works well…

Why is it “para a consulta online correr” and not “para que a consulta online corra”?

Both structures are possible:

Para a consulta online correr sem problemas
→ para + [noun phrase] + infinitive
Para que a consulta online corra sem problemas
→ para que + [verb in present subjunctive]

They both mean “in order for the online consultation to run/go without problems.”

Traditional grammar says:

When the subject of the main verb and the subject of the purpose clause are different, you should prefer:
- para que + subjunctive
  e.g. Fechei a porta para que o barulho ficasse lá fora.

But in modern real usage, especially in European Portuguese, “para + noun + infinitive” is very common even with a different subject:

Abri a janela para o fumo sair.
Vou chegar cedo para a reunião começar a horas.

So your sentence with “para a consulta online correr…” is natural and correct.
Using “para que a consulta online corra…” sounds a bit more formal or bookish.

What exactly does “correr” mean here? Doesn’t it usually mean “to run”?

Literally, “correr” means “to run”, but Portuguese often uses it figuratively with events or processes, like English go:

A reunião correu bem.
→ The meeting went well.
As coisas correram mal.
→ Things went badly.

So in your sentence:

…para a consulta online correr sem problemas.
→ …for the online consultation to go/run without problems / smoothly.

You could also hear:

correr bem = go well
correr mal = go badly
correr sem problemas = go without problems, go smoothly

Why do we say “sem problemas” (plural)? Could we also say “sem problema”?

Both “sem problemas” and “sem problema” exist, but they’re used a bit differently.

sem problemas (plural)
- Very common fixed phrase: without any problems / with no problems at all
- Sounds completely natural here:
  …para a consulta online correr sem problemas.
sem problema (singular)
- Often used more in a colloquial, conversational way:
  - Sim, posso ajudar, sem problema.
    Yes, I can help, no problem.
- Can sound slightly more informal or idiomatic.

In this specific sentence, “sem problemas” is the most idiomatic and neutral choice in European Portuguese.

Why is it “a ligação” and not just “ligação” without the article?

Portuguese uses definite articles much more than English, including in general or contextually-known references.

a ligação = the connection / the line
In context, we’re usually talking about the internet connection or the call that the speaker and listener already know about.

In English we might say:

As long as the connection works well… (with the)
or in a more generic statement: As long as the connection works well, the consultation will go smoothly.

Portuguese rarely drops the article in this kind of sentence. “Basta ligação funcionar bem…” sounds unnatural; “Basta a ligação funcionar bem…” is the normal pattern.

Why is it “a consulta online” and not “consulta online” or “consulta em linha”?

Several points here:

Article again:
- a consulta online = the online consultation
  Portuguese tends to include the definite article when referring to a specific or contextually understood event.
Word order:
- Noun + modifier: consulta online
  Portuguese usually puts adjectives or descriptive words after the noun:
- consulta médica (medical consultation)
- consulta online (online consultation)
Vocabulary choice:
- consulta online is very common and natural.
- consulta em linha is more literal (and feels more like a calque / rare in everyday speech).
- You might also hear consulta por videochamada, consulta por videoconferência, or consulta à distância, but consulta online is perfectly idiomatic in Portugal.

What exactly does “ligação” mean here? Is it a phone call or an internet connection?

“ligação” can mean several related things:

telephone call:
- Fiz uma ligação para o meu médico.
connection / link (more general):
- ligação à internet (internet connection)
- ligação de rede (network connection)
- boa ligação (good connection)

In Portugal, “ligação” is a very common word for “internet connection” or “network connection” in everyday speech.

In your sentence, given “consulta online”, “a ligação” is naturally understood as “the (internet) connection” or “the call connection” for the online consultation.

Why is the verb “funcionar” used with “ligação”? Could we say something else?

“Funcionar” means “to work / to function / to operate.” It’s the standard verb for talking about whether a device, system, or service is working properly:

A impressora não funciona.
The printer doesn’t work.
A internet está a funcionar bem.
The internet is working well.
A ligação funcionou mal ontem.
The connection worked badly yesterday.

So:

a ligação funcione bem = for the connection to work well

Other possibilities (with slightly different nuance) could be:

Basta que a ligação seja estável…
It’s enough that the connection is stable…
Basta que a ligação não falhe…
As long as the connection doesn’t fail…

But “funcionar” is the most general, “default” choice for “to work (properly)”.

Is the whole sentence talking about a general rule, or about a specific consultation?

Grammatically, it can cover both, depending on context.

As a general rule:
- As long as the connection works well, online consultations go smoothly.
  Portuguese often uses the present for general truths or rules:
- Basta que a ligação funcione bem para [as] consultas online correrem sem problemas.
  (If made plural, it’s clearly general.)
As a specific, practical statement:
- For this consultation we’re planning, it’s enough if the connection works well; then the online consultation will go smoothly.

Because the article is singular (a consulta online), many readers will imagine one concrete online consultation (for example, an appointment you’re arranging), though it can still be interpreted as a kind of rule in the right context.

Does this sentence sound natural in European Portuguese, and is it formal or informal?

Yes, it sounds natural and standard in European Portuguese.

In terms of register:

It’s neutral:
- Suitable in spoken conversation (e.g. a doctor or technician explaining what’s needed).
- Also fine in written text, like instructions or an information leaflet.

Small tweaks can slightly shift the register:

More formal:
- É suficiente que a ligação funcione bem para que a consulta online decorra sem problemas.
More casual:
- Basta a ligação funcionar bem para a consulta online correr sem problemas.

But your original sentence is perfectly good, natural European Portuguese in a neutral tone.