In this article you will learn everything you need to know about how to get Spanish citizenship as a Sephardic Jew, corresponding laws and application procedure. Not only we will talk about the exact deadline, documents, and requirements. We will also explain what you can do to get a European passport after that deadline is over.
Are you ready? Then keep on reading!
What is the nationality for Sephardic Jews?
Spanish citizenship for Sephardic jews is one of the main ways to obtain nationality in Spain. It enables you to get citizenship in the country without the need to live in Spain for the usual 10 years that are required for non-EU citizens. With this law, any Sephardic Jew who is a descendant of those who were expelled from Spain in the 15th century can immediately get citizenship.
Furthermore, another of its main advantages is the fact that it does not require you to renounce to your current citizenship.
The law that regulates the Sephardic Citizenship in Spain
As you already know, the Ministry of Justice created a few years ago the specific bill that granted Spanish nationality to the Sephardic community.
The initiative was created with the intention to amend the actions carried out by Spain in 1492 that expelled Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. That resulted in the approval of this act in June of 2015.
Initially, that law was set to last until October of 2018. Nevertheless, it was extended until October of 2019.
Last deadline and extension
If you are reading this article and discovering this path of obtaining nationality in Spain for the first time after 2019, you won’t make it on time anymore.
As we mentioned, the deadline was over in October 2019. So any application that starts afterwards won’t be accepted. If you want Spanish citizenship, you will need to go after any of the other possible paths.
Nevertheless, not everything is bad news.
Provided that the applicant, the Sephardic Jew, started the application procedure and had a case opened before the 1st of October (2019), good news!
He or she will be able to take both exams (DELE A2 and CCSSE) after that period, and the application would still be valid.
This means that, if you did not have a chance to take both exams at the Instituto Cervantes because there were no available spots, that won’t be a problem.
If that is the only reason, you will be able to take the exams afterwards. You should then include a proof of the registration for your exams, and that’s it.
Furthermore, if you are also missing the origin certificate from the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain, you also have a green light. In this specific case, you should include a document that demonstrates how that document is being processed, which you can download here.
The 3 Requirements for obtaining the Spanish Sephardic Passport
There are two main steps that you must go through in order to obtain Spanish nationality as a Sephardic jew, plus some additional requirements:
Proof of Sephardic status
First of all, the applicant needs to demonstrate that she actually has a bond with the Spanish community. The proof of Sephardic status will be confirmed through the contribution of the following certifications (you just need to submit one of them):
- Certification from the President of the Jewish community from the birth or the residential area.
- Certification provided by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain.
- Certification from the Rabbinic authority, a document that must be legally recognized in the residence country.
Regarding the first and the third points, the applicant can include a certification from the President of the Permanent Commission of the Jewish Community Federation in Spain that demonstrates the authority of the Rabbinic authority or the President of the Jewish Community.
How do demonstrate the validity of the required documents
In order to demonstrate the suitability of those documents, the applicant must also contribute with:
- A copy of the original bylaws of the foreigner religious organization.
- Certification from the foreigner authority containing the names of those that have been designed as legal representatives.
- Certification that demonstrates that the foreign authority is legally recognized in the country of origin.
- Certification emitted by the legal representative of the corresponding entity demonstrating that the Rabbi is in an operative status and currently complying with the established requirements set on the statutes.
- Ladino o “haketia” proof of use.
- Birth or marriage certificate, called “ketubah”, demonstrating the celebration in the Spanish tradition.
- A report that credits the belonging of the applicant surnames into the Sephardic lineage of Spanish origins.
- Any other circumstance or condition that demonstrates clearly the Sephardic Jew condition of Spanish origin.
Proof of special connection to Spain
Here, you will need to prove sufficient links to Spain. And that basically means demonstrating your Sephardic ancestry.
You can do that by using different probatory means, and again, the regulation lets you choose between:
- A certification (that must be emitted by a private institution or by a competent agent) of the culture and history of Spain.
- Knowledge test of the ladino or “haketía” language
- Proof of the belonging from the applicant in the protected Sephardic families of Spain, or of the direct ancestry of any Spanish citizen.
- Fulfillment of charitable, cultural or economic activities that go in favor of Spanish institutions or citizens. All those contributions to activities that have the aim to spread and preserve the Sephardic culture will also be sufficient.
- Any other circumstance that can demonstrate a clear belonging to Spain.
Can’t you find the right proof that enables you to link your link with Spain? Then let us help you! You just need to contact us HERE. Our team of immigration lawyers will be glad to help.
Other requirements
Finally, there is a set of general requirements any applicant must also meet:
Personal information
First of all, you need to identify yourself. Therefore a copy of your passport is the first thing you need to get. Also, the applicant must present a birth certificate, which must be legalized (apostilled) and translated into Spanish.
As with all the other evidentiary documentation, all the foreign documents to be presented must be translated by an official translator. This process is called translating for legal equivalence.
Any other document that attests to your identity will be valid.
Exams to get Sephardic Citizenship in Spain
- The first exam you will need to pass, in order to demonstrate your basic knowledge of Spanish, is the DELE. Getting an A2 or plus level is required in order to grant the passport. But, wait a moment! All the native Spanish speaking countries are exempt from taking this exam.
- CCSE exam. This is the exam that lets you prove your knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and the cultural and social reality in the country.
All of these exams will be evaluated by the Cervantes Institute.
Do you have doubts regarding any of the requirements needed to get the Sephardic Jew Spanish Citizenship? Let us know in the comment section down below!
How to apply for the Sephardic passport step by step
If you want to get the Spanish nationality as a Sephardic Jew, you will need to go through a process that can seem a bit tedious sometimes. There is some paperwork to do, but we are here to help you. This article works as a step by step guide for an easy application.
Which are the required steps you will need to take in order to get your Sephardic certificate? Basically fulfilling, one by one, all the requirements we went over in the past section:
- Prove your Sephardic condition
- Study and pass the two nationality exams
- Go over a criminal background check
- Prove your links with Spain
Once you have all the documentation prepared, you can send it to the immigration office in Spain. Our advice is to do it online for a faster response.
How to get Sephardic citizenship after the deadline
What happens if you completely missed the deadline? We have some good news.
There is still the option to get an EU passport, with all the advantages that offer (free movement within the EU area, the possibility to work anywhere,…).
Because you can still make it in Portugal, and with no deadline to worry! The requirements are the exact same and we can also help you out.
If you need more information, let our expert team assist you.
Book a consultation with one of our lawyers and solve all your doubts:
At Balcells Group we have been foreigners effortlessly moving to Spain for over 11 years. We help expats from all around the world with their immigration, business, tax and legal needs; ensuring a legally safe and enjoyable transition to the Spanish territory. Our multilingual team understands the importance of adapting to the cultural and legal specificities of our international clients. We offer a comprehensive service that combines the expertise of several generations of lawyers with the innovation needed to address today’s legal challenges, always striving to simplify processes and ensure reliable, effective results.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am interested in obtaining additional information Spanish Sephardic Passport program. We are located in Colorado USA. We can trace our lineage back to Spain in 1492. But there are some difficulties in obtaining written documentation. So before we begin this process I’d like to get some additional guidance. Can you provide me with an outline of how to proceed and what type of services your firm can provide.
Thanks
Robert Fahn
Hi Robert. We would appreciate if you could send us an email at [email protected] detailing your situation so we can analyze your concrete case and provide you with legal assistance. Thank you very much!
Hi,my name is Simon Chacon, and I would like to apply, I live in California now, but both my parents lived in South America. I just did the DNA test and it seem I might be Spanish Sephardic Jew. Can you please tell me how to star this process?
Thanks
Hi Simon!
In order to start managing the application process, would you mind sending us an email to [email protected] so we can start as soon as possible?
Thank you very much for reaching out to us, we will be glad to help with your Spanish nationality.
Hi,
Is Sampson surname sephardic or ashkenazi
Will I be able to get citizenship after October of 2019 year, if I have all poofs
Hi Michael,
The law was extended just until October, therefore after that month it won’t be possible, that is why we suggest you to start the process as soon as possible (we can help you with that).
Hello,
I received my DNA results recently. 23 & me could only go back with my family to WW1. I believe some of my heritage is Saphartic Jew but the results came back as 100% Ashkenazi. We will be visiting Spain in May & would like to persue Jewish Spain citizenship. How do I start the process now & hopefully being there where & how do I speak to the right authorities to accomplish the necessary details?
Best,
Debra Firtel
Hi Debra!
If you are visiting Spain in May, we would be really happy to have you at our office so you can talk with the specialized immigration lawyer about how to start the whole process and we will answer all your doubts. If you send us an email to [email protected] we can arrange a specific date to have our meeting.
Thank you very much for reaching out to us.
I am seeing on the Sephardic jewelry website for Spanish citizenship that there is no option for people living in the US to apply for such. Is anyone aware of this at all? I am US based in with like to apply for Spanish citizenship. Thanks for your help
Hi Nathalie,
Whether you are living in the US or not, if you are a Sephardic Jew you can apply for the Spanish nationality anyway. But you only have until October of this year to do so, so we advise you to start as soon as possible. If you send us an email to [email protected], we can start managing the whole procedure for you as soon as possible!
If one of my family members qualifies could other close family members (parent, child) also gain citizenship as a relative?
Hi Jeri!
If one of your relatives qualifies and gets the permit, you can apply for the residency permit as a family member of a European Union citizen.
Hello. And Bye.
Hi!
Hope you enjoyed reading the post at least!
Hello,
I received my results from MyHeritiage and it states I am 18% Sephardic Jewish. Is that enough as proof?
Hi Lizandra!
In that case, we would really appreciate if you could send us an email at [email protected] so we can start now helping you get your Spanish passport.
Thank you very much for reaching out to us!
Is it too late to apply??
Hi Sheri!
You have until the end of this month to start, otherwise, it will be too late. That is why we suggest you to hurry up as much as possible.
If you need any help in order to make the process go fast, do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
Having dna test is the only way to prove if you are a sephardic jew?
Hi Carlos,
There are other ways to check if you are a Sephard, like your surname or your ancestor list. For any other doubt do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
Kind regards!
Hi.. My Dads ancestors were from Spain and kicked out. They migrated to ugoslavia , where my Dad was born.. I have his birth certificate and his Dad, my grandfather was a rabbi and a teacher but with them both gone now, not sure how much I’d be able to prove? Suposadly , my last name which is Altaras , was very common in Spain then. Although my Dad and his whole family, including living sisters all spoke/speak fluent Spanish but I don’t. I know maybe 30 common phrases. I don’t know if it’s worth starting this procedure. I don’t know how I would prove anything? Do you have some kind of investigator that helps with the finding of proof and documentation?
Hi Sue!
In order to help you out, as your situation is really concrete and specific, we would need to talk with you personally. That is why we would ask you to send us an email at [email protected] so one of our lawyers can analyze your case with further detail.
Thanks!
I am a US born citizen interested in obtaining Spanish citizenship. I’m a native Spanish speaker, my mothers ancestry name is “Morin” and 34% Spain on DNA testing and 17% Portugal but we are no longer of the Jewish faith. Can I apply without being a member of the Jewish faith?
Hi Jennifer,
Can you please send us an email at [email protected] with that information + which are the exact links that you will be able to prove? In that way, we can help you determine if you are eligible.
Thanks a lot!
where to find out if my last name is of sefaradic origin
Hi Anna,
Please send us an email at [email protected] detailing more information about your situation and we will help you out with the name issue.
Kind regards!
Hi, I’m currently in the process of applying but my CCSE test date is not until September 26th (which means I will not get my results before October 1st, 2019), will this disqualify me from my application? Online when I’m filling out the application it will not let you proceed with out proof that you took the test. In your description above it says you can take the test after. Your guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!
As we mention in this article, provided that you start the application procedure before October the 1st, you are allowed to take the exam afterwards. That is why there won’t be any problem. If you need help with the procedure so you don’t miss any deadline, do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected], we will be glad to help!
Hi, is it too late to start a process now? My partner’s surname is Bejarano, which we believe is of Sephardic Jewish origin. Her family has lived in Colombia for many generations. Thanks!
Hi Michael,
No, as long as you start your application NOW you are still on time!
Hi,
If I don’t speak Spanish can I still apply?
Thanks 🙂
Hi Emma,
You’ll have to take a Spanish exam, so that may be an impediment for you.
Hi,
How long is it generally taking these days, after submitting the signed completed Notary Act, for the application to be approved and granted by the Spanish Government?
Hi Alex,
Between 12 and 24 months.
Do not hesitate to get in touch with us for anything else you may need!
hi my grandfather is sephardic and was born in the dardinelles, Turkey, He passed away years ago. He had changed his name when he came to the states. I am in Madrid until Saturday. I have my passport. I would need to get a copy of my birth certificate when i go back to the states september 3 and a copy of my grandfathers immigration papers from Turkey to New York also his change of names. I see the date is October 1, 2019 to apply by.
Hi Joan,
In case you missed the deadline, bear in mind that you can still get a European passport by applying for the Sephardic citizenship in Portugal. We can help you with that!
I have filed my application but no one told me I had to do it for my 8 and 16 year old before the deadline. I have everything except this certificate of schooling that they are requiring.
Can I do this? I can’t believe this will die with me. Help!
Yes you can do it without any problem! Just get the certificate.
Hi
Me gustaría arreglar mi ciudadania española atravesando de descendencia sefardí,
ya tengo la linea genealógica que lo prueba. Pero no se como empezar el proceso.
Hola María,
Mándanos un mail a [email protected] y nos pondremos con tu caso en cuanto antes, asesorándote paso a paso.
¡Un saludo y esperamos tu mail!
Hello, my husband is half Sephardic as his Mother is Sephardic. He was born in argentina and he is applying for himself. Do we need to apply for the children now or can we apply later based on their father getting nationality (assuming he is successful)?
Hi Susan,
As long as they are younger than 14 years old, you can apply now for them!
Do the children apply at the same time or can they apply later?
Thank you
That depends on their age!
I see that we can take the exam after October 1st, but I also read we need to complete our profile within four months of opening it. And that the DELE exam (A2) level can take three months to get results. Is this true? I’m taking the DELE exam Oct 14th, so am I cutting it too close?
Hi Alena,
If you couldn’t take the exams on time because there were no spots available before, you won’t have any problem. You will still have 12 months after the deadline to present the results.
If that is not the case, send us an email at [email protected] so we can analyze your situation in-depth and help you out!
Hello. I would very much like to apply for citizenship. I was told by a friend that senior citizens were exempt from taking the exams. Is that true? Thank you for your advice.
Hi Mercedez,
Unfortunately you need to take the exams. For any other information do not hesitate to contact us!
Hi.
1. Do you have to travel to Spain during any part of the process? Especially during the Notary process?
2. If you do not have proof that tests were filled, can you still start the application before Oct 19?
Thanks
Hi Bera,
At some point you must come to Spain; nevertheless, for specific parts, you can give notary powers to a lawyer to sign on your behalf.
In order to start the application, you must have, at least, requested a spot to take the exam.
Hi
What point is that in which I need to come to Spain? I’m referring to solely the application process. Thanks!
Hi Bera,
If you are starting right now the application procedure, chances are you are late in the process as the deadline is too close.
Nevertheless, if you send us an email at [email protected] we can analyze your situation and see if there is any possibility.
Thanks!
I would like to use your firm to help me apply for Spanish citizenship as a Sephardic Jew. I have emailed a few times and called one time. Please advise. I’m hoping to hear back from you before the deadline I’m available to speak at anytime.
Thank you very much!
Gracias!
Hi Maria,
If you are starting right now with the process (from 0), you won’t be on time. Nevertheless, there is also the possibility to get your Citizenship in Portugal as a Sephardic Jew (without deadline). If that is something you are interested in, do not hesitate to send us an email at [email protected]!
I missed the October 1, 2019 deadline. I am a Sephardic Jew. My maternal family surviving name is Cordova. I was able to get 3 past generations birth certificates with the same last name, my mother’s, my Grandfather, and my great grand father, but I am not sure what to do next.
Hi Isabel,
It is no longer possible in Spain. Nevertheless, you still have the possibility to get the Sephardic Citizenship in Portugal.
If you would be interested (still a European passport, with all its benefits), send us an email at [email protected] and we will guide you step by step.
Regards!
You are helping me and my children obtain Spanish citizenship right now, thank you.
However, my mother recently heard from a contact in Spain that the law to apply for Spanish citizenship was extended PAST Oct 1, 2019 and there was no longer the requirement to pass the DELE A2 and CCSE.
Can you confirm if this is true or false?
Thanks!
Hi!
Unfortunately that is not true. However, if you had initiated the procedure and had several documents already before the deadline, you could continue with it.
Regards!
Hello, I all ready sing my Acta de Notoriedad on August 2019, how ever I can’t find how many time I have to wait until the resolution of my file.
Do you have that information, is there any way to accelerate this process?
Best regards
Send us an email at [email protected] and we will help you out!