nationality

With her capacity for initiative and persistence, Cecília Caria Mendes has actively collaborated in the development and implementation of legislation that, in Portugal, since 2015, has allowed the right of return of Sephardic Jewish descendants (Jews descended from the ancient and traditional Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula) of Portuguese origin who so desire, by acquiring Portuguese nationality – Decree-Law no. 30-A / 2015, of 27-02.

The Portuguese nationality, by naturalization, is granted to the descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews, provided that the following requirements are met:

1. a) Being over 18 years old or emancipated under Portuguese law;
2. b) Not have been convicted, with a final and unappealable judgment, for the practice of an offense punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years, in accordance with Portuguese law;
3. c) Demonstrate a tradition of belonging to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, based on proven objective requirements of connection to Portugal, namely nicknames, family language, direct or collateral descent.

Since the preparation and discussion of the mentioned law, this office has developed a hard work in this concrete area, having today the necessary know-how that allows the provision of all services in this concrete area of legal activity.