Last call for Israelis: The window for issuing Portuguese citizenship is closing

A continuum of dramatic changes that have taken place in Portugal in recent weeks is expected to toughen the conditions for obtaining Portuguese citizenship starting in September.

Before the change takes effect you should hurry, but be careful, not everyone is suitable to go out with you

Dor Avshalom, in collaboration with Zap Mishpati

26/04/2022

Tuesday, 26 April, 2022, 10:28 Updated: 10:49

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Sometimes the celebration ends: a series of events from March has led to a situation in which, starting this September, the conditions for obtaining Portuguese citizenship will change drastically, and after that time it will be difficult to almost impossible for most Israelis to obtain Portuguese citizenship.

Since the window for obtaining citizenship is closing, it is essential that Israelis who are interested in it hurry.

But a moment before that, a travel warning: Not every company or professional who claims to have previously obtained Portuguese citizenship and declares that they can help you, are really qualified and suitable for it.

Check carefully with whom you are setting out.

"The meaning of change is far-reaching" (Photo: ShutterStock)

Roman Abramovich preyed on the cards?

Yes and not

many believe it all started with oligarch Roman Abramovich.

In recent weeks, winds have been blowing in Portugal due to a corruption case in which allegations of irregularities in citizenship expenses were raised for him.

As part of the affair, the chief rabbi of Porto was arrested on suspicion of aiding Abramovich in issuing citizenship.

According to Adv. Adam Yedid, who accompanies many clients seeking to obtain Portuguese citizenship, this is a mistake of the Israelis, who try to give themselves an easy explanation where the explanation is sad.

"I said things in real time and repeat them again," explains Adv. Yedid.

"Roman Abramovich could have obtained Portuguese citizenship as an investor for half a million euros, in a procedure called 'Golden Visa'. Instead he chose a procedure whose whole essence is to detail his Jewish roots."

According to Adv. Yedid, "This has become absurd, since his request to the Jewish community in Porto was recently published and it is clear that it is broad and probably well-founded.

Much of the criticism of his case stems from the fact that his request was approved by the Portuguese Ministry of Justice within a short number of months, while similar requests are clarified on average over a period of two years.

"There has been a lot of criticism about this. Abramovich's case has only come up in recent months and was a catalyst for a process that began as early as May 2020, when a first bill came up to reduce the section making it easier for descendants of Spanish deportees to obtain Portuguese citizenship."

The sad Abramovich affair led to a major storm and, according to Advocate Yedid, was a catalyst for the Portuguese government to publish regulations amending the Portuguese Citizenship Law.

To date, the procedure has been relatively simple and any applicant over the age of 18 with no criminal record can apply to the Jewish community in Porto or Lisbon and request confirmation of his affiliation with deportees from Spain and Portugal.

After receiving the permit, all that is left for the applicant is to submit the application to the Portuguese Ministry of Justice, meet some other criteria, such as lack of criminal record, and wait.

To date, over one hundred thousand applicants, the vast majority of whom are Jews, have already applied for Portuguese citizenship and tens of thousands of them have already received it.

"Experience of 3,000 cases against the Jewish community in Lisbon"

"What has changed now is the sincere desire of the Portuguese government to tighten the policy regarding the issuance of citizenship to Jews," says Advocate Yedid.

The first change was when the Jewish community in Porto announced News of descendants' certificates thus leaving the possibility of removing the affiliation certificate for deportees solely from the Jewish community in Lisbon, which is still receiving new requests.

"The significance of the change is far-reaching," explains Adv. Yedid.

"To this day, many Israelis have approached the Jewish community in Porto to get the permit, and it has been easy and pleasant for them to deal with it. I hope the Porto community will come back to receive new requests, but until then, everything is going to change."

According to Adv. Yedid, the possibility of contacting only the community in Lisbon will make it very difficult for Israelis. "It is difficult to issue permits in Lisbon,

Adv. Yedid is proud of his experience and special expertise in working with the Jewish community in Lisbon. "To date, we have handled 3,000 cases approved against them.

The knowledge we have accumulated in these cases gives us a huge advantage over those who are only now beginning to submit applications for descendants' certificates to the Jewish community in Lisbon. "

"Beware of those who scatter promises" (Photo: ShutterStock)

Regulations to be introduced in September: Proof of Affiliation to Portugal Today

About a week after the Porto community announced its non-acceptance of new applications, another significant change has taken place.

"Already in May 2020, MPs in Portugal expressed shock that companies have been established in Israel and Turkey that treat Portuguese citizenship and passports as a product," says Advocate Yedid. Against

this background, the members of parliament decided to take action.

The regulations were supposed to be published over a year ago, in March 2021, but were finally published at the end of March 2022. The practical translation of the initiative will take effect from September 1, whereby anyone wishing to apply for Portuguese citizenship will have to prove they have an affinity for today's Portugal.

"The regulations set two parameters to prove an affiliation with Portugal today," explains Advocate Adam Yedid.

Another way required for proof of affiliation is proof of frequent stay in the country.

"Here, too, the intention is not detailed enough," says Adv. Yedid. "It is not clear what a frequent stay is, and how frequent it should be

.

"I estimate that only a small part of those representatives will know how to deal with the new situation," says Adv. Yedid.

There are many who do not provide full service. "

According to Adv. Yedid, what is expected of a lawyer who accompanies a person seeking to obtain citizenship and a passport is his accompaniment" for a period of at least two years. "

However, Adv. Yedid warns that "I expect that some of those operating in the market will not survive this period and will simply disappear."

Adv. Yedid recommends giving up the possibility of trying to obtain citizenship through a limited company and recommends operating in the field only through a skilled lawyer

. "A company may one day go bankrupt or decide to cease its activities, and as a result the applicant will be left without someone to take care of him," explains Adv. Yedid.

"On the other hand, a lawyer with experience who is committed to the rules of ethics will continue to take care of the applicant to the end and complete the treatment."

In conclusion, the window of opportunity for European citizenship from Portugal is almost closed.

The recommendation is to apply for citizenship now and not wait until August, even if the need or desire is for obtaining Portuguese citizenship only for children, who can no longer apply but only after they are adults or their parents receive citizenship.

Need help getting Portuguese citizenship?

Contact the law firm Yedid, which has gained unique experience in Israel in accompanying clients on the way to obtaining Portuguese citizenship.

You can also call 073-7780042

at the Yedid Law Firm on the

Article Law website, courtesy of Zap Mishpatim

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