This may be your last chance to apply for Portuguese nationality through the Sephardic route
For those who have not yet started a Portuguese nationality application, it is important to distinguish between two key points: what has already been approved by Parliament and what still needs to happen for the new law to take effect in practice.
The text approved on April 1st introduces significant changes, including the end of the Sephardic route for new applications and stricter rules for the transmission of nationality to minor children and spouses. These changes are part of a broader legislative package, updated after a previous version was challenged by the Constitutional Court.
In other words, although the law has been approved by Parliament, the changes are not yet in force. Before that, several formal steps must be completed, which may directly influence how the law will be applied.
Steps before the law comes into force:
- review and decision by the President of the Republic
- possible referral to the Constitutional Court
- formal enactment and official publication
- regulation of practical implementation details
Until this process is completed, the current scenario is considered transitional. This means that the new rules do not apply automatically upon parliamentary approval.
Frequently asked questions:
- Is it still possible to start an application now?
Yes. The law has not yet completed all the necessary steps to come into force. - Is the Sephardic route already closed in practice?
No. Its termination has been approved, but implementation depends on the completion of the legislative process. - Can applications for minor children and spouses still be submitted?
Yes, as long as the new rules are not fully in force. - Is residence in Portugal required to start the application?
No. The residence requirement was approved in a separate amendment (2024), but the regulation has not yet been updated. Therefore, it is still necessary only to prove Sephardic ancestry and a connection to the Portuguese community.
The current moment requires close attention to the progress of the law, as this will determine when the changes will begin to produce concrete effects.
If you have not yet started your application through the Sephardic route, please fill out the form below:
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If you would like to apply on behalf of your children or spouse, access and submit the form below:
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If you would like to request an assessment to help speed up your process, access and submit the form below:
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