Madrid
As we have been reporting, the application process for Portuguese nationality for Sephardim has undergone in recent months profound legal changes that have put an end to the original spirit of the rule.
In March 2022, the Portuguese government published Decree Law No. 26/2022 of March 18, 2022, which modified the requirements to be met by Sephardim in order to continue accessing the nationality process. The most relevant changes are introduced in the new subsection D of Paragraph 3 of Article 24-A of the Portuguese Nationality Regulation. These new rules came into force last September 1, 2022 and oblige all new nationality applicants to present a certificate or other document attesting.
- "The ownership transmitted mortis causa of real rights over real estate located in Portugal or other personal rights of enjoyment thereof, or (the acquisition by the same means) of shares in commercial or cooperative companies based in Portugal.
- Frequent trips to Portugal during the applicant's lifetime.
And this, provided that the administration considers that "such evidence implies an effective and lasting link with Portugal".
In short, as of September 2022, only those Sephardic Jews or their descendants who have inherited property in Portugal or shares in Portuguese companies, or who have traveled frequently to Portugal throughout their lives, will be able to continue applying for Portuguese nationality.
Evidently, the intention sought is to effectively end the nationality process for Sephardim as of September 1, 2022. It is important to emphasize that almost all the experts consulted agree that this regulatory reform is unconstitutional and the new regulation has already been challenged before the Portuguese courts of justice, so it is not ruled out that in the future it could be repealed.
However, there are still many thousands of certification processes initiated before the Israeli Community of Lisbon that could be validated at a later date. Read the important statement made by the ILC on the status of the process here.
Click on the following link to access our updated FAQ guide on the nationality process.
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At Larrauri & Martí abogados together with the Lisbon law firm of Carina Vicente Correia, we have successfully processed hundreds of Sephardic origin and Portuguese nationality certification files and can help you to finalize your certification process and / or to correct or finalize your Portuguese nationality applications.
In addition, our firm is a corporate partner of the Spanish-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce.
Access to the Regulation:
Portuguese Decree (Decreto-Lei n.o 30-A/2015)
Reglamento de Nacionalidad Portuguesa (Decreto-Lei no. 237-A/2006 de 14 de diciembre)
Instituto dos registos e do notariado.
Portuguese ministry of justice
Access to the Jewish Communities in Portugal:
Our partners in Portugal:
