on July 8, 2025

“This measure is not just legal, it is deeply symbolic,” says Isabel Comte

on July 8, 2025

“Esta medida não é apenas legal, é profundamente simbólica”, diz Isabel Comte

More than eight years after Portugal created the Sephardic route for granting Portuguese nationality, the government is now proposing to revoke this right. The measure, which is yet to be debated in Parliament, directly impacts thousands of families in Latin America who are awaiting analysis of their applications.

What is at stake, according to jurist Isabel Comte, from Martins Castro:

The current proposal does not provide for a clear transitional regime.
There is a risk of retroactivity, which can lead to legal disputes and legal uncertainty.
For many families, nationality represents the continuity of a cultural heritage.
The measure is part of a broader package of toughening of Portuguese migration policy.
“It is a historical and ethical responsibility to guarantee legal security to those who have already started the process”, says Comte.

“For many families, the transmission of Portuguese nationality represents the continuity of a cultural and emotional heritage that transcends borders. Therefore, it is essential that legislative changes are accompanied by clarity, balance and respect for the history of Portuguese communities abroad,” reinforces the jurist.