Portuguese nationality by Sephardic origin

Decree Law No. 30-A / 2015, of February 27

Main requirement

Accredit the condition of Sephardic originating from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal).

Regulations

Adult foreign descendants of Sephardic Jews of Portuguese origin can apply for Portuguese nationality in accordance with Decree Law No. 30-A / 2015, of February 27.
The final decision will be made by the Ministry of Justice.

Who can request it?

Anyone over 18 years of age who can prove their status as a descendant of Sephardim originating in Spain or Portugal.

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IMPORTANT: Modification of the Decree Law Portuguese nationality by Sephardic origin

On March 18, Decree Law 23/2022 was published, which alters the Portuguese Nationality Regulations and introduces important modifications in the regulations and procedure of nationality by Sephardic origin.


First of all, it should be noted that said modification, regarding nationality by Sephardic origin, will come into force as of September 1, 2022.


Article 9.2 "The Regulation, in the wording given by this Decree Law, will enter into force on the first day of the sixth month following its publication."


The main regulatory change introduced by the Decree Law regarding nationality by Sephardic origin is that a new requirement is introduced by indicating that, together with the documents that were being provided to date, a certificate or other document accrediting links with Portugal of:


i) Ownership, transmitted mortis causa, of real rights over real estate located in Portugal, of other personal rights of enjoyment or of social participations in commercial companies or Cooperatives located in Portugal or

ii) Regular trips throughout the life of the applicant to Portugal; when such facts demonstrate an effective and lasting connection with Portugal.


The rights mentioned in point I must have been acquired by the applicant mortis causa, by hereditary title, so it is not possible, for example, to purchase a property to meet said requirement.


As for point II, it is a generic and indeterminate concept, which we hope will materialize over time.


Advantages of Portuguese citizenship

Right to reside and work

Right to reside and work in any country of the European Union, extendable to spouses and dependent children.

Courses and studies in the EU

Take undergraduate or postgraduate courses in European universities, with the fee for EU citizens.

Powerful passport

Visa-free entry to countries that do not require a Portuguese visa. 3 # most powerful passports in the world according to Passport Index.

Right to Public Health

Right to Public Health in urgent cases, in case of not having medical coverage in the country of habitual residence.

Protection in consulates

Protection in Portuguese Consulates in other countries.

Tax advantages

Very attractive tax incentives for those who move to reside in Portugal.

No need to travel

You do not need to take language or knowledge tests
Without renouncing your current nationality
PROCESS TO OBTAIN PORTUGUESE NATIONALITY BY SEFARDI ORIGIN

Three steps away from obtaining Portuguese citizenship

01

Certificate of Sephardic origin

Application for the certificate of Sephardic origin before any of the Jewish communities in Portugal legally authorized to issue it, the Jewish Communities of Porto and Lisbon.
Keep in mind that the Porto community only certifies the Sephardic origin of Sephardic Jews with Orthodox parents or grandparents.
The Lisbon Jewish Community, on the other hand, certifies the Sephardic origin both to Sephardic Jews and to those who are not Jewish, but they must documentary and clearly prove their Sephardic Jewish or Crypto-Jewish ancestry.

02

Application to the Ministry of Justice of Portugal

Once said certificate of Sephardic origin is obtained, the interested party may formalize the application for Portuguese nationality by presenting it at the Civil Registry offices of the Ministry of Justice of Portugal.
The Portuguese Ministry of Justice will give the application file the legal process and will resolve with the granting or denial of Portuguese nationality. It has been taking about twenty-four months to resolve each of the applications for Portuguese nationality for Sephardim.

03

Registration in the Civil Registry and passport

If the resolution is favorable and the applicant is granted Portuguese nationality, the birth must be registered in the central Civil Registry of Portugal. The applicant will be able to carry out said final procedure of registration of the birth and subsequent issuance of the Portuguese passport at the Portuguese Consulate of his habitual residence or at the central Civil Registry of Portugal.
What documents do I need to request the certificate of Sephardic origin from one of the
the enabled Jewish communities of Portugal?
A distinction must be made according to whether the person concerned is Jewish or not.

1. When he's Jewish The proofs that can prove Sephardic origin are usually birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, burial certificates in Jewish cemeteries, immigration documents of their ancestors to the host country indicating the immigrant's religion, etc.).

two. When the person concerned is not JewishIt is necessary both a genealogical tree and a genealogical report of the interested party (with the contribution of the greatest number of birth, marriage, death, baptism certificates) all of this in order to connect him with an ancestor who was a Sephardic convert in an undoubted way.

The fact that the applicant's surname appears in the list of surnames that circulate on the Internet and even in specialized bibliography, is not enough to prove Sephardic origin. You have to connect him with a Sephardic ancestor or Sephardic convert.

What documentation is necessary to apply for Portuguese nationality?
Applicants must provide:

1) Complete copy of passport (all sheets) duly legalized or apostilled.
two) Birth certificate legalized or apostilled
3) Criminal record legalized or apostilled from the country of origin of the interested party, which will have a temporary validity of three months from the date of issue
4) Criminal record apostilled or, where appropriate, diplomatically legalized, from the country or countries in which the interested party has legally resided in the last five years with a study or work permit
5) Criminal record From Portugal;
6) Certificate of Sephardic origin and genealogical tree
7) Proof of payment of the fee for an amount of 250 euros per person.
8) Special power of attorney so that we can represent you.

Frequent questions

Do you have any questions? We are here to help you.

  • Is there a deadline to apply for Portuguese nationality?

    Decree-Lei No. 30-A / 2015, of February 27, which allows applications for Portuguese nationality by Sephardic origin to be submitted, has an deadline on 1th september 2022.

  • Can a non-Jewish person obtain citizenship?

    Yes. The Law is open to Jews of Sephardic origin and to those who are not Jews today, always

  • How much does the certificate that the Jewish Community will issue in Portugal cost?

    The issuance of certificates by the Jewish Community of Porto will cost 250 euros

  • What about children under 18 years of age?

    Only those over 18 can apply for Portuguese nationality. In the case of

  • What is the fee that the Government of Portugal will charge for processing my file?

    The Portuguese Administration will pay a fee of 250 euros for the processing of the