Portuguese Parliament approves changes to the Nationality Law: understand what may change

One of the central points of the proposal is the termination of the Sephardic route, which would no longer exist as a legal pathway for new applications if approved by the President of the Republic. This represents a structural change, effectively closing one of the main routes to Portuguese nationality used over the past decades by descendants of Sephardic Jews around the world.

Renato Martins, CEO of Martins Castro, states:

“We are witnessing not only a Portuguese shift, but also a broader European trend toward stricter access to nationality and the restriction of pathways that directly affect the long-term planning of thousands of families. When access to nationality becomes subject to tighter rules and a more uncertain environment, the risk is not only legal, but also social and historical. The Sephardic route was created as a recognition of a shared sense of belonging, and any changes to it must be approached with great caution.”

In addition, the approved text introduces new criteria for the transmission of nationality to minor children and spouses. These changes point toward stricter requirements in proving eligibility and connection, including knowledge of fundamental rights and duties. If the proposal is approved by the President, further regulation will still be required before these new rules can be enforced.

Main approved points:

• end of the Sephardic nationality route for new applications
• stricter rules for transmission to minor children
• more demanding criteria for spouses
• broader revision of rules within the legal framework

Despite parliamentary approval, the law still depends on formal steps, including the President’s decision — to approve, reject, or refer it back to the Constitutional Court for further review. Until this process is completed, the approved text has no legal effect, and new applications remain valid under the current rules. Applications already submitted will continue to be processed according to the rules in force at the time of submission.

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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