Securing Portuguese Citizenship: Sephardic Jewish Path

What is Portuguese Sephardic citizenship, and why does it matter?

"Sephardic" refers to the Jewish communities that originated in the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal).

The Hebrew word "Sepharad" literally means "Spain," but it came to encompass the entire region, including Portugal.

These communities thrived for centuries, developing a unique culture, language (Ladino, or Judeo-Spanish), and religious traditions distinct from those of Ashkenazi Jews (from Central and Eastern Europe) or Mizrahi Jews (from the Middle East and North Africa).

Who are the Sephardic Jews?

The history of the Sephardic Jews is one of both flourishing and persecution. They lived under both Muslim and Christian rule in Iberia, experiencing periods of relative tolerance and prosperity, as well as times of intense discrimination and violence.

• The Golden Age: During the medieval period, particularly under Islamic rule, Sephardic communities experienced a "Golden Age" of intellectual and cultural achievement. They made significant contributions to philosophy, science, medicine, literature, and commerce.
• The Inquisition and Expulsion: The late 15th century marked a turning point. The Spanish Inquisition, established in 1478, aimed to eliminate heresy and ensure religious uniformity. In 1492, the Alhambra Decree ordered the expulsion of all practicing Jews from Spain. Many fled to Portugal, where they initially found refuge.
• The Portuguese Expulsion: However, in 1496, King Manuel I of Portugal, under pressure from Spain, issued a similar decree, ordering the expulsion or forced conversion of Jews in Portugal. This incident led to a mass exodus and the creation of a vast Sephardic diaspora.
• "New Christians" (Cristãos Novos) and Crypto-Jews: Many Jews chose to convert to Catholicism, at least outwardly, to remain in Portugal. These "New Christians" (also known as "Conversos" or "Marranos") were often subject to suspicion and persecution by the Inquisition, which continued to operate in Portugal until the 19th century. Some secretly maintained Jewish traditions and practices, becoming known as "Crypto-Jews."
• The Sephardic Diaspora: Where did they go? The expelled Sephardic Jews scattered across the globe, establishing communities in:
• North Africa: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya
• The Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Greece, the Balkans, the Middle East (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine/Israel)
• Western Europe: Netherlands (Amsterdam became a major Sephardic center), England, France, and Italy.
• The Americas: Brazil, the Caribbean, Mexico, the United States (particularly New Amsterdam, later New York)
• Other parts of Europe and Asia

Who are CIL and CIP?

The Comunidade Israelita de Lisboa (CIL), or Jewish Community of Lisbon, and the Comunidade Israelita do Porto (CIP), or Jewish Community of Porto, are the two officially recognized Jewish communities in Portugal responsible for issuing the certificates required for Sephardic citizenship applications.

• Comunidade Israelita de Lisboa (CIL): The Jewish Community of Lisbon. This organization is the older and larger of the two communities, with a long history dating back to the re-establishment of a Jewish presence in Portugal in the 19th century. The CIL has a synagogue, a cemetery, and various cultural and social institutions.
• Comunidade Israelita do Porto (CIP): The Jewish Community of Porto. This community is smaller than the CIL but also has a significant history. It has a synagogue (the Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue, one of the largest in Europe) and various community services.

What's their role in the Portuguese citizenship process?

The CIL and CIP are not government agencies. They are independent religious organizations. However, the Portuguese law grants them the exclusive authority to issue the certificates attesting to an applicant's Sephardic heritage.

This advantage makes them crucial gatekeepers in the citizenship process.

• Rigorous Vetting: Both communities have established rigorous vetting processes to ensure the authenticity of Sephardic claims. They employ historians, genealogists, and other experts to review applications.
• Independent Operation: While they strive for consistency, the CIL and CIP operate independently and may have slightly different interpretations of the requirements.
• High Volume of Applications: Since the law's enactment in 2015, both communities have received a massive influx of applications, leading to significant backlogs and processing times.

⚠️ CIP is often recommended for very specific cases, as it tends to reject regular applications. Unless your application has uncommon features, avoid directing your application to them, otherwise you may face more delays.

• Contacting the CIL and CIP: Both organizations have websites with additional information about the process and contact forms.

How to prove Sephardic descent for a Portuguese citizenship?

You'll need CIP and CIL. These two organizations are tasked with vetting applications and determining whether an applicant has sufficiently demonstrated a "tradition of belonging to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin."

Remember, they operate independently, and while they strive for consistency, there are anecdotal reports of differing interpretations and standards.

1. The CIL/CIP Certificate: Obtaining a certificate from either the Comunidade Israelita de Lisboa (CIL) or the Comunidade Israelita do Porto (CIP) is absolutely mandatory. Without it, your application will not even be considered by the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN).

⚠️ It's crucial to understand that this certificate is not a guarantee of citizenship. It's merely the first, albeit essential, step.

2. Build Your Case! The CIL and CIP look for a combination of evidence, including:

• Family Surnames: While a Sephardic surname can be a helpful indicator, it is never sufficient on its own. Many families changed their names to avoid persecution, adopting common Portuguese or Spanish names. Conversely, some non-Sephardic families may have adopted surnames that appear on Sephardic lists.
• Family History and Genealogy: A meticulously researched family tree, tracing your lineage back to a confirmed Portuguese Sephardic ancestor, is the most compelling evidence you can provide. Such evidence often requires extensive archival research, potentially in multiple countries.
• Primary Sources are Paramount: Birth, marriage, and death certificates; wills and probate records; census records; synagogue records; and other contemporary documents are given the most weight.
• Secondary Sources: It works as a supporting evidence, family histories, online genealogical databases, and published works on Sephardic genealogy can be helpful, but they are not substitutes for primary sources.

⚠️ It's common to hear about FamilySearch recommended by who went through this process. It's constantly praised and indicated as a starting point and a valuable tool, but they also emphasize that it's not a complete solution.

• The Challenge of "Crypto-Jews": For families who concealed their Jewish identity for generations, proving a connection can be incredibly difficult. This type of case often requires piecing together fragmented evidence and relying on circumstantial proof.
• Professional Genealogists: Hiring a genealogist specializing in Sephardic research can significantly increase your chances of success, but it's a significant expense. Choose a genealogist with a proven track record and strong references.

⚠️ We highly recommend this. Facebook groups about Sephardic genealogy and Portuguese citizenship process are filled with recommendations and professionals specialized in either family names, geographical areas or jew ancestor. Many of them will also have insights on how to navigate within CIL and CIP unspoken rules.

• Language: Evidence of Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) spoken within the family or the use of Portuguese expressions in Jewish rituals can strengthen your case.

This can be documented through:

• Family letters or documents written in Ladino.
• Recordings of family members speaking Ladino.
• Testimony from family members or community members.
• Academic research on the family's linguistic history.

• Cultural Practices: Documentation of family traditions and customs that align with Sephardic practices can be supportive evidence.

This might include:

• Recipes for traditional Sephardic dishes.
• Photographs of family celebrations or religious observances.
• Religious objects or artifacts with Sephardic origins.
• Testimony from family members or community members.

• Community Affiliation: If you belong to a Jewish community outside of Portugal, a document from your community attesting to your Sephardic heritage and use of Portuguese traditions can be submitted. However, the document is generally considered supplementary evidence, not a primary basis for approval.