Many Israelis Are Applying for Portuguese Citizenship

Jakarta – Thousands of people from Israel are lining up outside the Portuguese Embassy. They want to become Portuguese citizens. Why?

This interest has grown since the Hamas attack on October 7,2023.Many Israelis are also looking for a second passport for safety.

The Times of Israel reported on Monday (December 1, 2025), that the long line formed outside the Cinema City Gliot Building, where the Portuguese Embassy is located, in the center of Ramat Hasharon. The line started on Friday, November 28th.

People who arrive without a scheduled appointment aren’t being helped. The embassy is only processing applications from those who made appointments beforehand.

Portugal has a law that allows people with connections to Sephardic Jewish communities to apply for citizenship. This law is based on the fact that many Jews were expelled from Portugal in the 15th century.

Many Israelis can prove they have Sephardic Jewish ancestry. This makes them eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship.

The Portuguese government has received many applications in recent years. The number has increased sharply since the recent conflict began.

One applicant, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Times of Israel that having a Portuguese passport would give her family another option if the situation in Israel worsens.

“It’s a safety net,” she said. “We hope we won’t need it,but it’s good to have.”