Posts by Michael Decker
Estonian passport
Who is eligible for an Estonian passport? Descendants of people who lived in Estonia between 1918 to 1940, may be entitled to receive Estonian citizenship, based on proof of citizenship in Estonia before 1940, and subject to a relatively quick naturalization procedure. Those who successfully complete the process will receive an Estonian passport, which confers…
Read MoreWhy is it so important to conduct archival research in order to obtain Austrian citizenship?
The process of applying for Austrian citizenship for people persecuted by the Nazis in Austria and their descendants has, in recent years, become simpler than before. Likewise, the list of those entitled to citizenship has been greatly expanded. However, in order to embark on the process, applicants must provide proof of their eligibility. If you…
Read MoreArchival research for obtaining German citizenship – how to do it properly
People who were persecuted by the Nazis in Germany, and their descendants, are entitled to receive a German passport under lenient conditions and in a relatively simple procedure. To embark on the process, you must present documents proving your eligibility for German citizenship. For this purpose, it is recommended to conduct archival research in order…
Read MorePortuguese Citizenship for Descendants of Expellees – What’s New in 2023?
As you may know, in 2015 Portugal passed a law that allows descendants of Jewish expellees from Spain to obtain Portuguese citizenship. Since then, the law has changed back and forth for reasons that we will explain in this article, and as of this writing (2023) there is probably one last opportunity to obtain a…
Read MoreAmendment to the Austrian Citizenship Law
What is the amendment to the Austrian citizenship law, based on which many Israelis may be entitled to citizenship? The Austrian Citizenship Law (StbG) was amended in 2019, greatly expanding the list of descendants of Holocaust survivors and victims of Nazi persecution who are entitled to Austrian citizenship and an Austrian passport. The law even…
Read MorePossible effects of the judicial reform on immigration to Israel
How might the judicial reform affect Israeli immigration procedures? The judicial reform proposed in 2023 calls for significant changes in the Israeli legal system. If the reform passes in its current form, it may harm procedures of immigration and obtaining status in Israel, both by passing laws that deny rights currently reserved for Olim and…
Read MoreJewish Property Restitution in Poland
Can Polish Jews still reclaim their property? In 2021, new legislation greatly limited Jewish property restitution in Poland, limiting the reclamation of property that was nationalized during the period of communist rule. However, the new law doesn’t apply in all cases, and you may still be able to file a property restitution claim. Alongside this,…
Read MoreWhat’s the Difference Between Austrian and German Passport?
What exact is the difference between an Austrian passport and a German passport? Although both Austrian and German passports are considered among the strongest in the world, granting their holders the same benefits of European Union citizenship, there are several distinctions between them. These differences pertain to the eligibility for obtaining a passport, the duration…
Read MoreObtaining an Austrian passport for victims of persecution by the Nazi regime
Austria, located in central Europe, is a country with a rich history and culture, and is currently considered one of the most advanced and stable countries in the world. Israelis who obtain an Austrian European passport for Nazi persecution victims and their descendants will be able to hold it simultaneously with their Israeli passport, and…
Read MoreThe Israeli judicial reform – what changes is it expected to cause?
What are the changes proposed as part of the judicial reform? The judicial reform offered by the Minister of Justice in 2023 proposes far-reaching changes in the Israeli legal system. These include changing the way judges are appointed, the court’s authority to annul laws and review the decisions of the state’s various authorities, and more.…
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