Why it matters:
Portugal’s 2015 law allows Sephardic Jews, expelled or persecuted during the Inquisition, to apply for citizenship.
The program has been popular among Jews, offering EU mobility, lower living costs, and access to European universities.
In 2023, Portugal tightened requirements, citing the law’s original purpose as fulfilled.
Key points:
- Long lines stretched from the embassy entrance into an underground parking area.
- Applicants sought either a new citizenship or a passport renewal.
- Interest in Portuguese citizenship has surged since the Israeli regime’s war on Gaza in October 2023, with tens of thousands of Jews leaving the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Between the lines:
The demand reflects growing anxiety among Israelis seeking a second passport amid political instability and regional conflict. Portuguese citizenship is seen as a gateway to broader opportunities and security in Europe.
The bottom line:
Portugal’s citizenship program, originally designed as a historical remedy, has become a lifeline for many Jews looking for alternatives abroad.
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