Shepardic Jews Eligible for Spanish Citizenship

The law that grants Spanish citizenship to Sephardic Jews will become enforceable on October 1, 2015. This is a compensating measure for the unjustice of expelling the Jews from Spain during the 15th century. The descendants of these Jews will be eligible to become Spanish citizens and they shall not have to renounce to their own citizenship. In addition, they will not be required to reside in Spain. Applicants will need to show their Sephardic condition and the actual connection with Spain. They will have three years to express their wish to become Spanish citizens. This deadline can be extended for an additional year.

 

Section 23 of the Spanish Civil Code will be amended so applicants do not have to renounce to their original citizenship at the moment of acquiring the Spanish citizenship.

 

To prove the Sephardic Spanish origins applicants must use the following available means:

 

  1. Certificate issued by the President of the Permanent Commission of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain;

  2. Certificate issued by the president or akin position of the Jewish community of the area of residence or birth city of the applicant;

  3. Certificate issued by the rabbinical authority of the country of applicant’s habitual residence;

  4. Evidence showing the use of Ladino or “haketia” as family language or any other means that shows the tradition of belonging to that community;

  5. Birth certificate or “ketubah” or marriage certificate that recorded the ceremony in accordane with the Castillian traditions;

  6. Report issued by the a competent agency confirming that the last name of the applicant belongs to the Sephardic of Spanish origin lineage ;

  7. Any other circumstances that shows irrefutably the Sephardic condition original from Spain.

 

The means to show the special connection with Spain are the following ones:

 

  1. Certificate of studies in Spanish history and culture issued by oficial institutions or private institutions oficially renown;

  2. Credentials attesting to the knowledge of ladino language or “haketia”;

  3. Insertion of applicant or his/her direct ancestry in the lists of Sephardic families protected by Spain’s government mentioned in the Decree-law of December 29, 1948 (in relation to Egypt and Greece), or in the Royal Decree of December 20, 1924, by which they got their naturalization;

  4. Consaguinity relationship of the applicant with one of the persons mentioned on ítem c);

  5. Carrying out philantropic, cultural or economic activities on behalf of Spanish citizens or institutions in Spanish territory, including activities fulfilled in support of the institutions dedicated to the study, preservation and dissemination of the Sephardic culture;

  6. Any other circumstance that shows irrefutably the special connection to Spain.

Applicants must provide:

  • Birth certificate duly authenticated or with the apostille along with certified translation into English;

  • Credentials of Level A2 or superior of the Spanish Language, and knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and the Spanish social and cultural reality (both tests will be administered by the Cervantes Institute).

     

Carolina Leon