Surge in Israeli Citizenship Applications Overwhelms โขPortuguese โEmbassy
LISBON, portugal โค -โ A โrecent special event aimed at facilitating Portuguese citizenship applicationsโ from descendants ofโค Sephardi Jews has been met with overwhelming demand from Israeli citizens, prompting long lines โand highlighting a growing trend of Israelis seeking European passports. The Portuguese โฃEmbassy in [City, if specified in source] announcedโ the “The โpast is back”โ event last month โคas a bypass โฃto โits perpetually โขoverbooked online appointment system.
the rush stems from a 2015 Portuguese law offering citizenship to โคdescendants of Sephardi Jews expelled during the 16th-century โขInquisition. While the Portuguese government announced plans in December 2023 to end theโ policy, โciting a fulfillment of repatriation goals, the law was revised-notโ abolished-making applications more restrictive, including requirements for demonstrated ties to portugal, such as a minimum three-year residency. Despite the increased hurdles, the appeal of Portugueseโ citizenship, and the associated freedom of movement within the European Union, remains strong for many Israelis.
According to a Facebook post from the Portuguese Embassy, “thousands” โฃofโฃ applicants have been assisted, and “no one was neglected.” the influx typicallyโค peaks in december and January. Beyond EU travelโฃ benefits,โข Portugal offers โIsraelis a perhapsโ lower cost of living and taxโ rates, though income levelsโ are also proportionally โขlower. Many โขhopeful applicants have beenโ arriving โbefore dawn to secure a place in line, exceeding the capacity of the event location.
