The designation of Sephardic Jews refers to the descendants of the ancient Jewish and traditional Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula. The presence of these communities in the Iberian Peninsula is very ancient, and even before the formation of the Iberian Christian kingdoms, as was the case with Portugal.
Having these Jewish communities, since the late fifteenth century and after the Alhambra Edict of 1492, was subject to persecution by the Spanish Inquisition, many of its members then took refuge in Portugal.
The Sephardic Jews were expelled from Spain or forced to convert to Catholicism after 1492 by the Catholic Monarchs. By law, Spain wanted to repair a historical damage.
Taking into account this historical fact, the Portuguese Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade) was amended to allow the acquisition of Portuguese nationality to the descendants of the Sephardic Jews of Portugal.
All legal requirements regarding the application of descendants of Sephardic Jews of Portuguese origin to Portuguese nationality are set forth in Portuguese Decree-Law 30-A / 2015.
The process is described in detail below:
If you have not been able to apply for your Spanish nationality because you have ancestors of Sephardic origin, there is still time to have a European Union passport because of your Sephardic lineage. Our firm processes the application for Portuguese nationality for those who can prove that they are descendants of Sephardic Jews.
Therefore, if you have not had time to apply for the Spanish nationality by Sephardic origin, you can apply for your Portuguese nationality and have your European Community passport.
In Molinares Abogados we manage all your paperwork from the genealogy, certificate of the Federation, presentation to the Ministry of Justice of Portugal and obtaining your passport at the Portuguese Consulate of your place of residence.
For more information, request your FREE VIRTUAL CONSULTING here:
Below, we explain the differences between the two processes and the requirements.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL IN OBTAINING NATIONALITY BY SEPHARDIC ORIGIN:
- In Portugal it is essential to obtain the certificate of Sephardic origin by the Jewish Community of Lisbon or Oporto, unlike in Spain, the certificate could be obtained by different Jewish communities that were endorsed by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain - FCJE.
- In Portugal, there is no requirement to pass the Instituto Cervantes' socio-cultural and constitutional knowledge test (CCSE test), as was the case in Spain.
- In Portugal, it is not necessary to prove ties with the country, as was the case in Spain.
- It is not necessary to travel to sign the document issued by the Notary Public - acta de notoriedad-, in Portugal a power of attorney can be granted, who will be in charge of submitting the application and the original documentation.
- In Portugal, it is convenient to make donations to the Jewish community itself.
CONCLUSIONS:
- Speaking Portuguese or Spanish is NOT required.
- You do not have to take language or cultural exams.
- You don't have to be of Portuguese descent.
- It is NOT necessary to travel to Portugal.
- In principle, all those who apply through Spain can also apply through Portugal. In this sense, it is an easier process than the Spanish one, although very demanding in terms of documentary formalities.
- The application can only be made by adults, since Portugal does not grant citizenship to minor children who were born before the Sephardic parent obtained Portuguese nationality.
- No expiration date.
REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR THE CERTIFICATE OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ABROAD AND IN THE COMMUNITY OF PORTUGAL:
After examining the law, the first step in the process is the collection of documents for the approval of the Jewish communities.
- Photocopy of passport (first two pages).
- Photocopy of certificate proving your current permanent residence.
- Letter from a local synagogue or qualified rabbi.
- Ketubah written in the Sephardic version of previous generations.
- Birth certificate, legalized and apostilled.
- If married: Marriage certificate, birth certificates and any document that proves the family's Judaism or previous generations.
- A family tree (managed by our team).
- Completed Jewish community application form (managed by our team).
- Motivation letter for the submission of the application (managed by our team).
- Documentation of documents declaring residence in previous countries.
REQUIREMENTS MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF PORTUGAL:
- Photocopy of all passport pages.
- Legalized and apostilled birth certificate.
- Criminal record from your country of origin, and from the places where you have resided for more than 1 year, legalized and apostilled, translated.
- Certificate of the Jewish community in Porto or Lisbon (managed by our team).
- Power of attorney for our representative in Portugal (managed by our team).
- Criminal Record Certification in Portugal (managed by our team).
- Marriage certificate legalized and apostilled.
- Birth registration certificate legalized and apostilled.
- Fees (managed by our team).
AFTER THE GRANTING OF CITIZENSHIP:
- Once the Portuguese nationality is obtained, you will be able to reside in any country of the European Union. If you decide to reside in Spain, you will be able to obtain the residence permit as an EU citizen quickly.
- You will be able to reside, work, study in Spain, or in any EU member country.
- If you are also a national of a Latin American country, after two years of legal residence in Spain you may apply for Spanish nationality by residence.
- You will be able to regroup your family members under the community regime.
Below you can watch the replay of our webinar Portuguese Nationality for Sephardim in which we solve some doubts about this type of nationality.
GET YOUR EUROPEAN NATIONALITY!
THE TIME HAS COME TO APPLY FOR YOUR EUROPEAN PASSPORT.
From Molinares Abogados we take care of making this dream come true, and take care of everything that is needed. Therefore, we reiterate that if you were not able to apply for your Spanish nationality by Sephardic origin, you still have time, and this is your chance.
Remember you can consult your case through our website:
