The countdown to Portuguese nationality through the Sephardic route has already begun.
The time to apply for Portuguese nationality based on Sephardic descent is running out. Following confirmation that the final vote on the reform of the Nationality Law will be held in September 2025, a Nationality Law expert warns: the current situation represents the final stretch for acting based on the current rules.
Understand the new context
The Portuguese government has reaffirmed its intention to repeal the 2013 law that allows nationality to be granted to descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled during the 15th century. This measure is part of a broader package of reforms that has already passed its first reading in Parliament and will go to public hearings by the third week of September.
Although the vote was initially scheduled for July, it was postponed by political agreement. However, there is a new deadline: the process must be completed by the closing of the 2026 State Budget. This establishes a concrete timeframe for the definitive end of the Sephardic path. Read the full article. on here.
What can change in practice
If the text is approved as is:
- Nationality through the Sephardic route will cease to exist as an autonomous criterion;
- The minimum period of legal residence may increase from 5 to 7 or even 10 years, depending on the applicant's country of origin;
- New eligibility criteria and mechanisms for revoking nationality in cases of serious crimes will be introduced.
Despite these potential changes, requests submitted before the new law takes effect will continue to be reviewed based on current regulations. This means that those who act now will be able to secure their rights before access is terminated.
An opportunity that will not be repeated
Second Isabel Comte, a legal expert at Martins Castro, "we are facing a historic moment: Portuguese citizenship through Sephardic heritage has been a point of cultural reconnection and a tool for global mobility. Now is the time to submit the application before the law changes forever."
Portuguese nationality guarantees access to rights as a European citizen, free movement within the Schengen area, and new possibilities for families seeking to expand their horizons.
September 2025 could be the final step in this process. If you're eligible, it's crucial to begin the process safely and with qualified legal support. Want to know if you can still apply for Portuguese nationality through the Sephardic system? Fill out the form for a free analysis.
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