Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Naturalization as a Descendant of Portuguese Sephardic Jews
The Sephardic Jews Law requires that the applicant meet the following conditions to obtain Portuguese Nationality under the law – Decreto Lei no. 30-A/2015 de 27 de Fevereiro:
1. They are Adult or Emancipated under the law.
2. Not Committed Serious Crime – Not been convicted, with final judgment of sentence for committing a crime punishable with a maximum prison sentence equal to or exceeding three years, under Portuguese law.
3. Evidence of belonging to a Sephardic Community of Portuguese Origin – Evidence includes family surnames, familiar language, direct descendants or family relationship in the collateral line of common parent from the Sephardic community of Portuguese origin.
Lisbon Jewish Community Application
VisaConnect’s Consultants can assist Applicants with the preparation of their application, supporting documents and completion of application forms to the Lisbon Jewish Community. The application process is as follows:
1. Apply for Certificate from Lisbon Jewish Community (Comunidade Israelita de Lisboa) – Certificate (Certificado) stating you belong to a Sephardic Community of Portuguese origin, embodied in particular in the applicant’s name, in the familiar language, genealogy, and family memory.
2. Family Tree – A family tree must be prepared for the purpose of the application to the Lisbon Jewish Community. It should be as complete as possible, based on the submitted documentation, and be in the Lisbon Community format, up to two pages, visible and understandable. In addition, it should state the ancestry and descendants (if necessary), places and dates of birth, marriage and death.
3. Donation to the Lisbon Community – A non-refundable Donation of €500.00 EUR for each Applicant is required. These donations will be used in the development and maintenance of the Lisbon Jewish Community’s services and activities to guarantee the continuation of culture and traditions, and in Portuguese society, through a few solidarity programs, which the community contributes.
4. Cover Letter – The applicant must prepare a brief 1 page Cover letter to outline and explain their motivation to apply for Portuguese nationality based on their Sephardic family and tradition roots, and Emotional memory.
5. Decision of the Lisbon Community – Customer Service does a Pre-analysis of the application submitted, without commitment of any advance donation or final approval obligation. Subsequently, the Commission of Analysis, makes the final decision, whether it is an approval or a request for further documents that corroborates your sephardic origins.
Contact VisaConnect’s Specialist Visa Consultants for advice and assistance with your application for Portugal Citizenship in 2024!
See our web page regarding Portugal Citizenship for Sephardic Jews for further information:
VisaConnect Immigration Blog 