Nationality · Sephardic citizenship
The Sephardic route has been repealed.
Organic Law no. 1/2026 of 18 May, as corrected by Declaration of Rectification no. 17/2026/1 repealed the naturalisation route for descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews. New applications cannot be filed on this ground.
Transitional rule
Who may still require assistance.
The transitional rule protects administrative procedures that were already pending on 18 May 2026. The decisive point is therefore whether an application had actually been filed and remained pending on that date — not whether documents had been prepared, a community certificate obtained or an intention to apply existed.
How we help
What we review in a pending application.
- iThe date and evidence of filing.
- iiThe substantive regime applicable according to the date and procedural stage.
- iiiNotices and documentary deficiencies.
- ivTranslations, apostilles and supplementary evidence.
- vThe procedural status and remedies following an adverse decision.
- viAny separate nationality route that may exist on different legal grounds.
No application filed
No application was filed before repeal?
The Sephardic route no longer exists for new applicants. Sephardic ancestry by itself is no longer a ground for Portuguese nationality. Other routes may exist — descent, marriage or de facto union, or residence — but each has its own requirements and must not be presented as a continuation of the repealed regime.
Routes that remain available
- →Citizenship by descent — for children and grandchildren of Portuguese citizens; if you have Portuguese ancestors, this route may apply to your case.
- →Citizenship by marriage or de facto partnership — acquisition by declaration for those married to or in a de facto partnership with a Portuguese citizen.
- →Naturalisation by residence — with a minimum period of 7 years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and the EU and 10 years for others, under the 2026 law.
Common questions
Sephardic citizenship FAQs.
Last legal review: 19 July 2026. This information is general and does not replace individual legal advice. It does not constitute a guarantee of any outcome. The applicable framework depends on the law in force and on the specific circumstances of each case.
Consultation
Do you have a pending Sephardic application?
We review the filing date, the applicable regime, outstanding notices and the remaining procedural steps.
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