The document outlines the requirements and procedures for obtaining Portuguese citizenship for descendants of Sephardic Jews, as stipulated in decree-law n.o 30-a/2015. Applicants must be of legal age, have no serious criminal convictions, and provide proof of their connection to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin. Necessary documentation includes birth certificates, criminal records, and certificates verifying Sephardic descent.

1. DISCLAIMER: This infographic is updated until March 30th, 2017. Although great care has been taken when drafting this
infographic, Ricardo da Palma Borges & Associados (RPBA) - Sociedade de Advogados, S.P., R.L. does not accept any responsibility
whatsoever for any consequences arising from the use of the information contained herein. The information is provided solely for
general purposes, cannot be regarded as legal or other advice. It is strongly recommended to take professional legal advice
appropriate for your case before making any decisions.
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Portuguese Citizenship for
Descendants of Sephardic Jews
Decree-Law n.º 30-A/2015, of 27 February, sets the requirements for
granting Portuguese citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews:
To be of age;
OR
Absence of criminal conviction for a crime punishable with a prison
sentence of three years or more, according to the Portuguese law;
a)
b)
Proof of “circumstances related to a tradition of belonging to a
Sephardic community of Portuguese origin”.
c)
Documents that must filed with the application:
Birth certificate;1.
Criminal records issued by the authorities of Portugal, of the country
of birth and of any country where the applicant has been a resident;
2.
A document proving that the applicant directly descends or has a
family collateral relation from a common parent belonging to a
Sephardic community of Portuguese origin:
3.
i) A certificate issued by the Jewish community of Lisbon or Oporto, attesting that
the applicant descends from Sephardic Jews of Portuguese origin as evidenced by
surnames, family language being Ladino*, genealogy and family memories;
ii) A certificate issued by the Jewish community of origin, attesting to the use by the
applicant of Portuguese expressions in religious ceremonies or to the use of
Ladino as the language spoken by the applicant in a family environment;
iii) Authenticated documental evidence proving a family connection of the applicant
to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, such as registrations at
synagogues and Jewish cemeteries, titles of residence, titles of property and
wills.
OR
* Ladino is a language derived from Portuguese and Castilian which has been spoken by Sephardic Jews
since the XVᵗʰ century.