The end of the Sephardic route could be voted on in October and affect thousands of Antioquia residents.
The countdown to securing Portuguese nationality through Sephardic ancestry has entered its decisive phase. Following the announcement in Lisbon, the Portuguese Parliament is expected to resume debate in October 2025 on reforming the Nationality Law, which includes the proposed repeal of the Sephardic pathway, in force since 2013.
The vote was initially scheduled for September, but was postponed due to the presentation of a new proposal to amend the Foreigners' Law, following a ruling from the Constitutional Court. The parliamentary calendar stipulates that the discussion cannot be extended beyond this year, establishing a close and definitive deadline. Read the full article on here.
Antioch as a center of Sephardic heritage
The case of Antioch is particularly relevant: academic studies indicate that even 80% of the population maintains Sephardic roots, making the department the Colombian epicenter of this historic right.
"We are facing an unprecedented moment. For the people of Antioch, Portuguese citizenship is not only a cultural reconnection with their Sephardic origins, but also a tool for international mobility, access to the European space, and new opportunities for study and investment," he emphasized. Isabel Comte, a lawyer at Martins Castro, a firm that leads nationality processes in the region.
What's at stake
If the reform is approved, Portuguese nationality will no longer be obtainable through Sephardic ancestry. This route will be replaced by stricter requirements: longer periods of residence (5 to 10 years) and additional requirements for staying in Portugal. However, both ongoing and filed processes before the final vote will follow the current rules.
European law at risk
Portuguese citizenship ensures free movement within the Schengen area, the possibility of residence in any European Union country, and rights equivalent to those of any European citizen. In Antioquia, where thousands of families have already filed applications, the postponement opened a short but decisive window for action.
The changes to the foreigners' law have already been approved by the Portuguese parliament and await presidential approval. The Sephardic route, in turn, could be closed in the vote scheduled for October. It is crucial that interested Antioquia residents act now to avoid losing this historic right and to secure access to their families' European future while there is still time.
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