on December 3, 2020

Myths about Portuguese citizenship through the Sephardic way

on December 3, 2020

Mitos sobre a cidadania portuguesa pela via sefardita

THE Portuguese citizenship through the Sephardic way it is one of those topics that arouse curiosity, but also a lot of mistrust and misinformation. After all, it is a recent achievement (Decree-Law 30-A is 2015) and, Dual nationality generate doubts and, consequently, create some myths. Here we list the main myths:

1. “This history of Sephardic citizenship is a coup.“

We talk daily with people from different parts of the world who believe that Portuguese citizenship through Sephardic Jews is a trap for profiteers, a coup. But it is not. There is a Portuguese law granting this right: art. 6th, nº. 7 of the Nationality Law (Law nº37 / 81). That is, you can, without fear, answer the application form genealogical pre-analysis.

2. “It is not possible to prove a connection with a Sephardic ancestor.“

In some cases, the genealogical study needs to go back 17 generations to find the Sephardic ancestor. But as complicated as this may seem, it is perfectly possible. To give you an idea, today, over 40 Sephardic Jews cataloged and properly documented. In addition, hundreds of people worldwide have already done this process.

3. “Spouses and children are automatically entitled to citizenship through Sephardic means.“

Not quite. The children of Portuguese (father or mother) born outside the national territory have the right to apply for the grant of Portuguese nationality, as long as they make a manifestation of will in that sense. Spouses married to a Portuguese national can also apply for the acquisition of Portuguese nationality, by means of a declaration, still in the constancy of marriage, provided he has been married for more than three years and can prove an effective connection with the Portuguese community.

4. “It is enough to have a Portuguese surname to obtain Sephardic citizenship.“

Last names are indications, but they do not determine whether or not you are descendants of Sephardic Jews. To prove this link, a genealogical study is really necessary. The first step in this is to obtain birth, marriage or death certificates for your ancestors. You can check a list with 5 types of important documents to prove the Sephardic bond.

Information will always be the best alternative in the face of uncertainty (and often in the face of certainties). Knowing where to look for this information is equally important.

Find out if you are a Sephardic Jew descent

You can find out if you have Sephardic ancestry. To do this, you just have to correctly answer all the fields on our pre-analysis form. There are no costs associated with completing the form.

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