Sephardic Jewish Spanish Citizenship Last Names
Spanish Sephardic Names – can they get you Spanish citizenship?
In 2015, the Spanish government made a historic decision to grant Spanish citizenship to descendants of Spanish deportees. However, this law expired by the end of 2019. As of today, April 2020, Spain no longer grants citizenship for descendants of the expelled Sephardi Jewish community.
On the other hand, Portugal has passed a similar Law of Return for those whose ancestors were expelled from Spain or Portugal. This law in Portugal is still in effect and our law firm assists many clients apply successfully for Portuguese citizenship. You can read more about the process of receiving Portuguese citizenship and passport in this comprehensive guide we have published on our website.
The Spanish expulsion and Jewish diaspora – a brief history
Many Jews were deported from Spain and Portugal during the 14th and 15th centuries, following a prosecution by the Catholic Church, known as the Spanish inquisition, forcing them to abandon their religion or flee. Most Jews refused to convert and were expelled. They fled to countries such as Tunisia, Bulgaria, Egypt, Greece, Morocco, and more.
The Portuguese government is now recognizing this mistake made more than 500 years ago and taking responsibility for this injustice. Portugal is trying to make amends with descendants of the expelled by offering Spanish citizenship for those eligible.
Who is eligible?
The key to obtain Portuguese citizenship might be hiding in your Sephardic last names Spanish citizenship was given in the past, until the law expired in 2019, by proving a connection to the Sephardic community. In the same way today, Portuguese citizenship is granted by proving that you are indeed a descendant of Spanish deportees. Start by checking your family background, and more specifically, your last name. Sephardic last names Spain related, are your first clue. There are many Sephardic names Spanish citizenship lists published online. You can read more about the list of Jewish names on our website, in this article.
If your last name is considered Spanish, this may be your first step. Anyone who can prove connection to Spanish Jews expelled from Spain is also eligible for a Portuguese passport, since in the past these two communities were considered one Jewish community.
Two steps for a Passport of Portugal
There are two necessary steps to receive Portuguese citizenship and passport. The first is to obtain a recommendation from the Jewish community in Portugal, either in Lisbon, or else in Porto. This certificate of approval states connection to the Jews expelled in the past. The second is submitting the application with the Portuguese civil authority that will approve the citizenship application and issue the passport.
A person’s last name may be enough to prove Spanish roots, thus obtaining the recommendation of the Jewish community, but you may need to conduct a more in depth family history research. The Spanish authorities did release their own list of Sephardic Jewish Spanish citizenship last names – a list of more than 5,000 surnames identified as linked to Spanish descendants, which may be a good first step to obtain citizenship.
If you did not find your Spain Sephardic citizenship last names on one of those lists, it is likely that the name has changed over time, as Latin and Hebrew are very different. Try and find the surname of your grandparents, great grandparents, and even further if you can. We will be glad to assist you conduct this research and work regularly with expert genealogists who research family roots and origins of family names.
Conformation of Jewish origin from the Jewish community
Proof of connection to Spanish deportees can be found in your surname, but at the same time, it may not be enough. Some real descendants do not find proof that their name has changed, and turn to alternative ways to obtain Portuguese citizenship.
If the last name route fails, Jews can also prove that the Ladino language was preserved in their family. Also, a real connection with other Jewish family members with Spanish or Portuguese citizenship may help.
Regardless, in order to obtain Portuguese citizenship you will need a letter of confirmation from a recognized Jewish community in Portugal that you have roots to the Jewish expelled from Spain or Portugal.
Submitting request for citizenship with civil authorities
Even if you find that you are eligible, the process of obtaining Portuguese citizenship is complex and challenging. The Portuguese authorities will ask you to fill many forms, present documents such as birth certificate, proof of no criminal background, all translated and authorized by a notary public. Please note that also you family members may be eligible for Portuguese citizenship and a passport. You can read more about the eligibility of family members in this article on our website.
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