Portuguese nationality by Sephardic descent: the story of someone who almost lost the right
A connection with history and a race against time Fortes Máximo, 69, has always known about his roots. What he never imagined was that the journey of an ancestor expelled from the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century would present him with a current challenge: obtaining Portuguese citizenship.
The path seemed clear: since 2015, Portugal has offered the possibility of nationality to descendants of Sephardic Jews, a historical reparation. But in practice, Fortes discovered that the process is more complex than it seems:
- Rigorous documentation
- Demanding genealogical certification
- Constant changes in the law
When his documentation was rejected by the Jewish Community of Lisbon, his application could not be processed. What had become an obstacle could have been avoided. Faced with the rejection, Fortes was forced to restart his genealogical research on his own, correct historical records and deal with the pressure of time, aggravated by health problems. Read the full article on here.
It was at this point that he sought out Martins Castro. The work of our legal team — led by Isabel Comte, former registrar at the Central Registry Office of Lisbon — was crucial in unblocking the process.
Result: your application was given priority and he has already issued the Portuguese passport.
Why waiting can be costly
If you are thinking about applying for Portuguese nationality due to your Sephardic descent, now is the time to act. The rules have already changed in 2022 and may become even more restrictive.
Currently, to obtain citizenship through this route it is necessary to have a genealogical study with accepted documents and have ties to the Portuguese community.
Your right may not wait
The case of Fortes Máximo makes it clear: trying alone can mean mistakes, delays and even the loss of rights. Click here to find out more and fill out the form to receive a free, personalized analysis.
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