Is your family originally from Algeria?
Then it would appear that you are entitled to a Portuguese passport.

Obtaining Portuguese citizenship for Jews whose family origins are in Algeria

About five hundred years ago, the Great Expulsion took place, one of the worst tragedies to befall the Jewish people, which had a major impact on the dispersal of the Jewish people around the world and their customs – This was the Expulsion from Spain.
During this period, all Jews who were domiciled in the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal were expelled.
These Jews were forced to convert to Christianity or leave their homes and property, relinquish their rights, and move to distant countries because they were not allowed to live with their Jewish identity.

As a result, many Jews left, inter alia, for the Middle East and North Africa region, to countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Greece, Turkey, etc.
Many of the Jews who were expelled from Portugal and Spain also arrived in Algeria, for example.
Therefore, following the law passed in Portugal in 2015, it was decided that a Portuguese passport may now be issued to Jews (and Israelis) whose family is of Algerian extraction.

Obtaining an Algerian passport or obtaining a Portuguese passport?

Israelis who wish to obtain an Algerian passport are by and large Jews of Algerian extraction who immigrated to Israel a number of years ago or whose parents and grandparents immigrated to Israel from Algeria.
However, the Algerian passport holds no advantage or significance for Jews living in the Land of Israel.
Nor for those considering leaving the country or looking to relocate abroad.

However, it is important to note that the chance of Jews of Algerian descent obtaining a sought-after European passport – a Portuguese passport, is very high.
The reason why being approved for Algerian émigrés are high, is that most applicants can trace their lineage back to the Jews who were expelled from Spain.
The Portuguese passport offers many advantages, which shall be detailed hereinafter, and is a more popular choice than the Algerian passport.
Moreover, the Portuguese passport (which accompanies Portuguese citizenship) is amongst the seven most sought-after passports in the world today.

What advantages does a Portuguese passport have?

It is no coincidence that people of Algerian descent are trying . to obtain a European passport
In most cases, the reference is to a Portuguese passport, which is for all intents and purposes a European passport.
There are many advantages to a European passport, but it is important to first explain that the term “European passport” refers to a passport belonging to one of the dozens of European Union member states.
The Portuguese passport is regarded as a European passport and is only issued to Portuguese citizens.

If you hold a Portuguese passport, you can acquire an education and study at higher education institutions in virtually every European country, an extraordinary benefit which does not exist in Israel.
Additionally, anyone holding a Portuguese passport and Portuguese citizenship can live and work legally in any of the European countries.

While this is also relevant for “the average” person it is particularly important for businesspeople who wish to expand their enterprises and operate globally.
A Portuguese passport facilitates trade with any country in Europe and entitles its holder to significant tax concessions.
One of the advantages of a European passport is the opportunity to enter the United States without the need for a visa.

Can an Algerian citizen also obtain Portuguese citizenship?

When the Jews of Algeria immigrated to Israel, most of them were forced to renounce their Algerian citizenship.

If you hold Algerian citizenship, you will have to renounce it in order to obtain another foreign citizenship.
It should be emphasized that every former Algerian citizen, or his descendants, are almost always entitled to Portuguese citizenship.

How much does it cost for a Jew of Algerian descent to obtain a Portuguese passport?

The price you will have to pay for obtaining a Portuguese passport does not depend on your origin.
In other words, anyone applying for Portuguese citizenship has to pay roughly the same sum, as there is a fixed fee component.

The cost may vary, since each applicant submits different documents, some of which are not easily obtainable and the process involves payments.
The cost is usually around NIS 10,000.

How long will I have to wait to obtain Portuguese citizenship?

It should be noted that this is a process that requires the submission of certificates and evidence showing a genuine link between the applicant and the Jews who were expelled from Spain.
The law provides that descendants of Jews expelled from Spain who were forced to relocate to Algeria are indeed entitled to Portuguese citizenship and must present documents accordingly such as a marriage certificate, immigration certificate, identity cards, etc. – in order to prove that their parents/grandparents were descended from the Jews who were expelled from Spain.

The process may take some time, and Portuguese citizenship is usually granted approximately two years after the commencement of the process with an attorney who is experienced in the field.

Is your family originally from Algeria?
It would appear that you are entitled to Portuguese citizenship.
To check your entitlement and receive an additional explanation about the process – ..