What does "Sephardi" mean?

The term "Sephardi" in Israel refers to those Jews who lived in the Iberian Peninsula until 1492 in Spain and up to 1497 in Portugal and their descendants. The amendment to the Citizenship Law grants eligibility for Portuguese citizenship to a Jew who will prove to be a descendant of a family originating in one of the countries from which the Spanish and Portuguese deportees arrived in the 15th century after the mass deportation.

Who can apply for Portuguese citizenship by the Spanish Citizenship Law?

Any person who can prove a direct connection to Spain or Portugal with the help of his surname and suitable origin, and meets the conditions of the Spanish or Portuguese Citizenship Law.

Countries from which Spain and Portugal have emigrated are: Morocco, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Syria and Egypt. Beyond these countries, Dutch Jews and Sephardic communities in Romania, Hungary, Venice, Italy, and even Iraq, Romania, and Germany also have Jews with Sephardic and Portuguese surnames.

How do I know if my last name is Spanish or not?

We recommend that you consult with a specialist with extensive experience in the subject. We recommend checking here (link) and also answering the following questionnaire in order to make a preliminary check if your last name is Spanish.

My Family name is eligible, is that enough?

No, documents that support family names, origins, affinity with the culture and tradition of Portuguese Jewry, etc. are also needed.

Can a non-Jew be granted Portuguese citizenship in accordance with the new law?

Yes, the law is open to Jews and non-Jews of Spanish origin, as long as they can prove their Spanish / Portuguese origin and if they meet the other conditions stipulated by law.

What will happen if the Jewish community does not approve the request?

Happily, we have no such cases. We do a comprehensive genealogical examination a perform an initial eligibility test free of charge.

Test depth and comprehensive diagnostics original family name and country of origin of your family, if the examination revealed that you are descendants of the Jews expelled from Spain and/or Portugal, we turn to the Jewish community in Portugal, requesting it formally approved, this approval is an important step in realizing eligibility for a passport in Portugal.

Should I give up my citizenship?

No. According to the Portuguese Citizenship Law, the descendants of those expelled from Spain and Portugal will not lose their previous citizenship due to the issue of new citizenship, subject to the law of 2015/12 or any other procedure.

We are a family group. How should we continue to ask for the request?

It is important to emphasize that any request for citizenship from the State of Portugal is personal. Therefore, it is important to apply separately to each member of the family and each of them must be accompanied by all the documentation and proof of the Spanish source and the connection with Spain / Portugal.

Can I also request the citizenship of the children of the minor?

Portuguese law approved the law allowing parents of a minor to require citizenship for him, although there are still no procedures in this matter and it is important to receive advice on this issue in our society. For the Spanish process, a minor must be a guardian, meaning that his parents will be his legitimate representatives before the relevant authorities in the country.

How much does this process cost?

We do not usually list prices on the site, but only at a personal meeting that does not involve your commitment or ownership, because the price varies from client to customer depending on the complexity of the procedure and the number of family members who join the application process. It should be noted that when it comes to the number of family members applying for citizenship, the price decreases according to the number of people.

What are my chances of getting a Portuguese passport?

We make it clear that Campus does not guarantee and does not declare that the client is entitled to receive Portuguese citizenship but only that we undertake to handle his application professionally, with complete transparency, skillfully and efficiently.

We undertake to submit a request in a professional manner and in accordance with the requirements set out in the law, together with all the required documentation and documents, together with a genealogical opinion and with the help of a professional and qualified attorney in Portugal. We do everything necessary to get you the citizenship that gives you many benefits.

Our professional and experienced team is working for you and your name to get the desired end result. If the client has a criminal record, the request will be disqualified, so we check it with you in advance and do not start the process if the client has a criminal past.

Will my children get citizenship automatically?

Only if the children were born after you received citizenship and you hold a passport in your hand. The child will receive Portuguese citizenship and will be a Portuguese citizen from the day of his birth.

Children who were born before the citizenship was granted or were born during the process - will not be granted Portuguese citizenship automatically, but it will help them to apply on their own by virtue of the fact that their father or mother has citizenship of that country.

What are the benefits of a Portuguese passport?

First of all, Portuguese citizenship is European citizenship for all intents and purposes. Portugal is a member of the European Union and it has many important advantages for you. A European passport makes it unnecessary to visa at the United States, allowing entry to 172 countries around the world, allowing you to study for free or at subsidized cost in the best institutions of higher education in Portugal and in the European Union.

A European passport gives advantages in setting up and running a business and purchasing real estate, while offering tax benefits, the possibility of taking bank loans on convenient terms, just like a veteran Portuguese citizen.

Also, the passport allows you to capture all Member States, get a work visa in all EU countries and other countries around the world indefinitely, and enjoy full social benefits provided to citizens of EU member states, the right to vote in elections and more.

How long will your passport / citizenship be valid?

Citizenship is for life. The passport is valid for 5 years and must be renewed, like any other passport.

How long does it take to get citizenship?

The initial eligibility test takes between 1 and 2 business days.

The process of obtaining approval from the Jewish community in Portugal takes from one to two months, after which the process of obtaining citizenship from the time of submission of the application to the Ministry of the Interior in Portugal is currently an average of one and a half years. In other words, you should expect the length of the process from one and a half to two years.

It is important to be patient with a lot of patience, but at the end of the road you are waiting for a European passport!

Contact us today and we will accompany you all the way to the realization of entitlement and the receipt of citizenship and passport awaited.