Portugal Portuguese Citizenship for Sephardic Descendants — Citizenship Program
🏆 OVERVIEW
Country
🇵🇹 Portugal
Program
Portuguese Citizenship for Sephardic Descendants
Local Name
Nacionalidade Portuguesa para Descendentes de Judeus Sefarditas
Type
Ethnic Return
Status
Active
Residency Required
3 years
Processing Time
365-1825 days
Dual Citizenship
Allowed
Visa-Free Countries
184 destinations
Passport Rank
#5 (Henley Index)
Citizenship for adult or emancipated descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews expelled during the Inquisition. The current regime requires proof of Sephardic Portuguese origin, belonging to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, and at least 3 years of legal residence in Portugal.
💵 FEES & COSTS
Application Fee
$270
Passport Fee
$70
📋 ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS
Police Clearance
Required
Medical Exam
Not required
🧬 ANCESTRY REQUIREMENTS
Generational Limit
No limit
Ancestor Citizenship
Not required
Ethnic Origin
Sephardic_jewish
🛂 PASSPORT & MOBILITY
Passport Rank
#5 (Henley Index)
Visa-Free Access
184 countries
Passport Validity
5 years
EU Citizenship
Yes
Schengen Access
Yes
US E-2 Treaty
Yes — eligible for US investor visa
📍 PHYSICAL PRESENCE
Must Visit Country
Yes
📝 HOW TO APPLY
Method
Both
Apply from Abroad
Yes
Application Type
Open
Official Website
justica.gov.pt
Legal Basis
Decree-Law 30-A/2015, as amended by Law 2/2022 and later nationality regulations
📌 NOTES & CAVEATS
Applicants must be adults or emancipated, prove Sephardic Portuguese origin, belong to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, and hold legal residence in Portugal for at least 3 years. Community certification, genealogical evidence, Ladino/family traditions, and Portuguese residence evidence are central to the file.
🔗 ALSO IN PORTUGAL
- D8 Digital Nomad Visa (digital nomad visa)
- Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa (passive income)
- Portugal Golden Visa (golden visa)