On May 18, 2026, the new Portuguese nationality law (Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026) was published in the Diário da República, and it entered into force the following day. Buried in the reform is a provision that directly affects tens of thousands of Israeli families: the special route for descendants of Spanish and Portuguese Sephardic Jews, opened in 2015, has been repealed and closed to new applications.
Anyone who did not file by May 18, 2026 can no longer open a new case under this route. But this is exactly where many Israelis get it wrong - a mistake that can cost an entire family its European passport.
What Closed, and What's Still Open - The Full Picture
| Route | Status After 19.5.2026 |
|---|---|
| Descendants of expelled Spanish and Portuguese Jews (the "Spanish route") | Closed to new applications |
| Cases filed before 19.5.2026 | Continue to be examined under the previous law |
| Children of a Portuguese citizen | Open - a right by origin |
| Spouse or partner of a Portuguese citizen | Open - subject to stricter requirements |
| Naturalization through residency in Portugal | Open, but extended to 10 years for Israelis |
Bottom line: the state closed the entry door, but not the family door.
Your Children Are Already Portuguese. They're Simply Not Registered.
This is the point few people understand, which is exactly why it's also the greatest opportunity that remains. Under Portuguese law, a child of a Portuguese citizen is Portuguese by origin (nacionalidade originária) - even if born outside Portugal and even if they have never set foot there.
Their right isn't created on the day an application is filed; it exists from the moment of birth. The procedure is a declaration and registration in the Portuguese civil registry - recognition of an existing right, not a request for a favor.
- The Spanish route was a naturalization - a grant the state controlled, and could therefore revoke by legislation.
- The children's route is attribution by origin - a right that flows from a blood connection to a Portuguese citizen, and is anchored more deeply in the legal system.
A parent who obtained citizenship in 2018 or in 2026 didn't just secure a passport for themselves. They opened a legal channel of inheritance for the next generation. Anyone who doesn't exercise it simply leaves it unrealized.
What You Do Need to Know Before Rushing In
This isn't just a form. Portuguese authorities have become stricter, and minors' cases that used to sail through almost automatically now face new requirements to prove a connection to Portugal. Handling also varies by the child's age and by whether they were born before or after the parent obtained their status.
It's still the most convenient route available today. It's simply no longer forgiving of mistakes.
Spouses: The Route Remains - But the Bar Has Risen
The new law did not abolish the route for spouses and civil partners of Portuguese citizens. The baseline period of three years of marriage or cohabitation remains unchanged.
The requirement of an "effective connection to the national community" has shifted from vague to explicit. The law ties it to knowledge of the language, familiarity with the culture, history and national symbols, and financial capacity for self-support. The state's ability to object has grown especially in borderline cases.
When the marriage or cohabitation exceeds six years, or when there are shared Portuguese children, the state's ability to object to the application narrows significantly. Registering the children doesn't just settle their own status - it also strengthens the spouse's case.
Why This Is Urgent Now, Not "Someday"
- Implementing regulations are coming. The law requires the government to update the nationality regulations. They will determine how language, history and means-of-support tests are assessed.
- The direction is clear. In 2020 they announced they would tighten the rules, in 2022 they tightened them, in 2024 they changed again, and in 2026 they closed the route. Those who filed before the transition date benefit from the previous law; those who waited did not.
- Children turn 18. The status of a minor and the status of an adult are not procedurally identical. The 18th birthday is a real deadline, even if it doesn't appear in any official letter.
What This Passport Is Worth to Your Family
Portuguese citizenship is full European citizenship. In practice, it grants:
- Freedom of movement, residence and work in 27 European Union countries, without a visa or work permit.
- Local-rate tuition at European universities - savings that can reach hundreds of thousands of shekels.
- Access to healthcare systems and social rights in the EU country of residence.
- Economic freedom: starting a business, opening bank accounts, purchasing real estate and investing across the EU.
- Convenient entry to many countries worldwide, including the US under the visa waiver program (ESTA).
- Above all - security and a future option for your children and family.
What the Process Actually Looks Like
- Eligibility check and family mapping - who is already a citizen, when they obtained it, who the children are and what the marital status is.
- Registering the marriage in Portugal - a prerequisite for a spouse's case.
- Collecting Israeli documents - birth certificates, marriage certificates and a certificate of good conduct, all apostilled.
- Certified translation into Portuguese and notarial certification under Portuguese law.
- Filing and follow-up with the Portuguese authority, including responding to requests for completion.
- Registration and completion - citizen certificate and passport issuance.
The most common failures aren't legal but technical: mismatched names across certificates, incorrect transliteration, missing apostille, uncertified translation, or an outdated record of personal status. Each of these can freeze a case for months or lead to rejection.
Why a Portuguese Lawyer - Right Here in Israel
Adv. and Notary Yehuda Leon Asseo is an Israeli, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish lawyer and a notary in Israel. He is a member of the bar associations of Portugal, Spain and Turkey, holds a graduate degree in European citizenship and immigration law, and operates through offices in Tel Aviv, Porto, Madrid and Istanbul.
- Everything is handled locally: notarial certification under Portuguese law is carried out here, in Hebrew, face to face with someone you can actually sit across from.
- Handling two legal systems in parallel: from the Israeli document all the way to the Portuguese filing.
- Correct reading of the new law: the difference between a blocked route and an open one is a question of precise legal classification.
Questions & Answers
Can I still file a new application under the Spanish route?
No. The new law took effect on May 19, 2026 and closed the route to new applications.
I filed my application before May 2026 and it's still pending. What happens to it?
Applications that were pending when the law took effect will continue to be examined under the previous law.
I received Portuguese citizenship. Do my children get it automatically?
Not automatically. The right exists by origin, but it requires an active declaration and registration in the civil registry. Without registration, there is no passport.
Can adult children over 18 also apply?
The status of minors and adults differs, and the child's date of birth relative to the parent's date of obtaining status also matters. An individual review is required.
What about a spouse or partner?
The route is open subject to proving an effective connection to Portugal. Beyond six years as a couple, or when there are shared Portuguese children, the case is stronger.
How long does it take?
The timeline varies by case type and the authorities' workload. The factor you can control is the quality of the case filed on day one.
Bottom Line
The route through which many Israelis first came to know the phrase "Portuguese citizenship" has closed. What hasn't ended is the family's right. If you hold a Portuguese passport and your children or spouse do not yet - you're holding a key you haven't used yet.
Want to check your family's eligibility?
An initial review with the office of Adv. and Notary Yehuda Leon Asseo.
More DetailsThe information in this article is general only, current as of the update date, and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for it. Portuguese nationality law changes and each case is examined on its own merits. Do not rely on the above without individual consultation.