Our Firm carries out the advice and full study of each case and the complete follow-up of all the files until the final Portuguese passport is obtained.
Portuguese Nationality for Sephardic Jews
We take care of you
Nationality
VISA
Passport
We take care of you
Nationality
VISA
Passport
About NS - Nationality Solutions
The obtaining of the Portuguese nationality for Sephardic jews and/or their direct descendants must be carried out through two different procedures:
- Procedure before one of the Hebrew Communities of Portugal (Lisbon or Porto) competent to assess the documentation and family origin of the applicants and to issue an official certification of Sephardic origin.
- Procedure to formally apply for Portuguese Nationality before the Portuguese
Ministry of Justice.
Portuguese nationality gives its holder the same rights as any citizen of the European
Union.
Portuguese Nationality – Sephardic Jews
The descendants of the Sephardic Jews can obtain Portuguese nationality without having to reside in Portugal or even to master the Portuguese Language.
For who:
Sephardic Jews (in Hebrew ספרדים, sephardi; in plural, sephardim) are Jews originating from Portugal and Spain. This word derives from the Hebrew denomination for the Iberian Peninsula (Sepharad, ספרד ).
In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, most Sephardic Jews were forced to keep their practices secret (Crypto-Jews), many were forcibly converted to Catholicism (the so-called New Christians, Marranos, or Anusim) and yet forced to exile.
They left Portugal establishing around the world, especially in Europe (Germany, Belgium, Croatia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, England), in the Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey) and in the American continent (Argentina, Brazil, United States of America, Mexico).
Our Process
The procedure for obtaining Portuguese nationality for the descendants of those Sephardim expelled from Portugal has the following differences:
- It does not require knowledge of the Portuguese language.
- It does not require having a special personal connection with Portugal.
- It does not require taking exams or knowledge tests.
- There is no need to move at any point in the process.
- The Portuguese law is currently in force indefinitely.
The Portuguese government may grant Portuguese nationality through naturalization to the descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Portugal and Spain in the fifteenth century.
This measure was approved by the Organic Law No. 1/2013 of 29 July. The Regulation, approved by DL n. 30-A/2015, 27 February, has the following requirements:
- Applicants are Sephardic Jews of Portuguese descent and are adult or emancipated under the Portuguese law;
- Not have been convicted, pursuant final judgment of sentence, for committing a crime punishable with a maximum prison sentence equal to or exceeding three years, under Portuguese law.
Requirements that must be fulfilled to acquire Portuguese nationality:
It determines that the applicant must:
a) Be of age or emancipated under Portuguese law;
b) Not have been convicted of a crime punishable under Portuguese law with
imprisonment of three years or more;
c) State and demonstrate in the petition the circumstances that establish the tradition of
belonging to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin.
Documents to be filed with the petition:
The application must be presented with the following documents:
a) Birth certificate;
b) Criminal record issued by the competent Portuguese services, as well as by the authorities of the country of birth, country of nationality and country of residence (if
other from the country of birth and residence);
c) Document that proves the direct progeny or family relationship to a Sephardic
community of Portuguese origin and the tradition of belonging to a Sephardic
community of Portuguese origin;
This type of procedure requires a solid knowledge of Portuguese Administrative, Notarial, Civil and Registry Law, and requires a detailed analysis of the extensive documentation required, as well as experience in handling similar files. Our team, which has extensive experience in this legal process, can advise you on this procedure.
Access to the Regulation:
Solutions We Have
Nationality
We handle and monitor the entire process until you obtain Portuguese nationality
VISA
We handle all the necessary procedures to obtain visas in Portugal, of any nature
Passport / ID Card
Once you have your Portuguese nationality, we will accompany you through the entire process necessary to obtain your Portuguese citizen card and passport
Advantages
In addition to the privilege of holding a citizen card from a country with a rich history, whose culture is spread all over the world, citizens enjoy the following rights:
- Living in a safe and peaceful country at a social and political level, with an internationally renowned education system and a highly qualified and accessible health system;
- Benefiting from the free movement of persons and goods within the European Union, allowing to establish their residence in any of those countries;
- Benefiting from the excellent relationship that Portugal has with all Official Portuguese-speaking countries (PALOP – Portuguese-speaking African countries);
- Holding one of the strongest passport in the “Passport Index 2021” ranking – the Portuguese passport – which allows entering in 159 countries without needing a visa, in addition to free movement in the Schengen Area;
- Maintaining their nationality of origin, if their country of origin also allows it; and
– Family reunification. Family members have the right to reside with the Portuguese wherever they live, either in Portugal or another country of the European Union.
If you want to get more information on how to acquire Portuguese citizenship please contact us.
Contact Us
Edifício Brasília,
Praça Mouzinho de Albuquerque 113,
5.º andar, sala 533
4100-359 Porto PT