Special cases of attribution of Portuguese citizenship - Sephardic Jews

The term Sephardic originates from the Hebrew name that designated the Iberian Peninsula and consequently the Jews living in Spain and Portugal who were part of the Jewish diaspora.

Following the single unity policy, around 1490, King Manuel I of Portugal and the King of the Crown of Castile and Aragon of Spain, decreed the forced conversion of the Jews living in their territories and the expulsion of those who refused, which caused a large part of the Iberian Jewish community to emigrate to other countries.

The Nationality Law No. 37/81, of October 3, 12th updated version, defines the requirements for granting nationality through naturalization, which are:

• Be of legal age or emancipated under Portuguese law.

• Have resided legally in Portuguese territory for at least five years.

• Have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language.

• Not having been convicted, with a final sentence, with a prison sentence of 3 years or more, for a crime punishable under Portuguese law.

• Do not constitute a danger or threat to national security or defense, particularly through involvement in activities related to the practice of terrorism, violent crime, especially violent or highly organized crime.

In the case of Sephardic Jews, the Portuguese legislator opted for a special, exceptional regime for granting Portuguese nationality to descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from Portugal, considering the tradition of historical heritage.

In this sense, they are exempt from the requirement of having resided legally in Portuguese territory for at least five years and having sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language. However, they must cumulatively fulfill, in addition to the other requirements:

• Demonstrate the tradition of belonging to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, based on proven objective requirements of connection to Portugal, namely surnames, family language, direct or collateral descent.

• Have resided legally in Portuguese territory for a period of at least three years, consecutively or intermittently.

1 minute read
Published on February 7, 2025

Author of the Article
Loide Castelo Branco

The certification of the demonstration of tradition of belonging to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, is based on proven objective requirements of connection to Portugal, will be subject to final approval by an evaluation committee appointed by the member of the government responsible for the area of ​​justice.