European citizenship

The firm deals with requests to arrange citizenship in the European countries of: Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Many people are searching for a way to obtain a European passport.
In Israel, over half a million citizens hold European citizenship.
The reasons for this are varied and diverse, but in most cases, it stems from the understanding that entitlement to a European passport and citizenship brings numerous advantages – it grants access to virtually an entire continent and a range of opportunities which transcend imagination.

While not everyone can obtain European citizenship and enjoy its advantages, there are many people who may indeed be entitled to, but have never considered conducting an eligibility check for, European citizenship.
Take for example Portuguese citizenship which millions of Israeli citizens are eligible to receive based on the applicant’s status as a descendant of the Jews who were exiled from Spain.

Who is eligible for a European passport/European citizenship?

Few are aware that European citizenship is only granted to a person if both his parents were European citizens, or one of them (or he himself) was a European citizen, in the past.
In other words, the connection must be clear.
European citizenship is usually obtained by relying on data, documents, and details from the past – such as:
Year of birth, year of immigration to the Land of Israel, marriage certificates/death certificates, etc.

These documents may serve to prove that the person is indeed connected to the European country in some way.
Each European has its own distinct laws and other rules governing the process for obtaining a passport.
Here too, Portuguese citizenship serves as a good example of an upended case, in which citizenship is granted on the basis of consanguinity to the Jews who were exiled from Spain approximately 500 years ago.

Advantages of European citizenship

It is always good to hold more than one citizenship, and there are many reasons for this.
An Israeli citizen who has undergone an eligibility check for European citizenship and is found to be suitable may emigrate to and lawfully live in Europe.
He may also work in any European Union member state and, like any European citizen, pursue any vocation of his choosing.
Moreover, a variety of business activities can be undertaken, for example, in the real estate sector, which is considered highly sought-after and relevant by Israelis.

It is always good to hold more than one citizenship, and there are many reasons for this.
An Israeli citizen who has undergone an eligibility check for European citizenship and is found to be suitable may emigrate to and lawfully live in Europe.
He may also work in any European Union member state and, like any European citizen, pursue any vocation of his choosing.
Moreover, a variety of business activities can be undertaken, for example, in the real estate sector, which is considered highly sought-after and relevant by Israelis.
{a1}{strong1}To learn more about the benefits of a European passport, click here.{/strong1}{/a1}

How long does it take to obtain a European passport?

Acquiring European citizenship is usually a lengthy process and in some cases, depending on the country in question, it may last several years.
The duration of the process also depends on the manner in which the application for a European passport/European citizenship is submitted.
In other words, if the application is submitted precisely and professionally and is accompanied by all the relevant documents and confirmations, the process shall be shorter.
Procuring the necessary documents and certificates normally takes time and involves contacting and corresponding with various authorities both in Israel and in the target country from which citizenship is being requested.

In certain cases, the process may be prolonged and take many years, particularly when it is carried out by laypersons who are unfamiliar with the relevant laws.
Such delays occur when the applicant fails to obtain the required documents or is unable to prove his entitlement.
The documents which are normally served are diverse and varied and include, for example:
Birth certificates, certificates from educational institutions, a résumé showing the applicant’s family tree, marriage and divorce certificates, death certificates, passport, immigration certificate, criminal record, etc.
For example, it is not possible to obtain Portuguese citizenship and a Portuguese passport for an applicant whose criminal record includes a felony punishable by three or more years of imprisonment.

European Citizenship for Israelis – How much does it cost to obtain European citizenship?

The costs involved with obtaining a European passport vary from one person to another and depend on numerous factors.
Firstly, each European country requires a different fee for the process.
Some European countries,{a1} like Spain for example{/a1}, require applicants to pass various tests such as – language and history exams or {a2}Hungary, which in some cases requires knowledge of the Hungarian language{/a2}.
However, there are European countries that make the process easier, even though the costs may be just as expensive

The cost of obtaining a European passport and European citizenship is also affected by translation expenses.
In other words, throughout the process you may be required to submit translations of the original Hebrew documents.
European countries require that the documents be presented to them in the language of the relevant country, and therefore the documents must be translated.
Generally speaking, the translations of the documents are notarized translations.
For example, if you are seeking Portuguese citizenship, the official documents must be translated into Portuguese by a certified notary.
While translation costs are not fixed and depend on the number of documents you submit to the translator; in most cases the price is around NIS 400 per certificate translation.

The cost of the process may amount to several thousand shekels, and it is therefore not advisable to economize by foregoing the assistance and guidance of a lawyer.
Although the lawyer will also charge a certain amount, it is important to point out that this is a long-term investment, and the professional assistance of an expert attorney may lead you to the ideal situation in which you receive a European passport.
This is in contrast to a situation in which you pay large sums, go through the process alone, invest heavily, and yet ultimately receive a negative response.

Additional important information regarding the issuing of a European passport and European citizenship.

It is important to know that each country in Europe imposes different conditions and requirements.
Moreover, European citizenship cannot be issued for every country, since the emphasis is on proving a genuine connection between the applicant and the specific country which he is interested in.
Some countries grant citizenship to the applicant and his children, while not all the countries enable a spouse and children to acquire European citizenship.

This should be carefully read and clarified, and it is important to scrutinize “the small print”.
There is no doubt that obtaining a European passport is a complex process, but if you fulfill the requirements, it is indeed advisable to proceed and try your luck.
Patience and perseverance must be shown, and the services should be hired of a lawyer who specializes in this field in order to enable you to go through the process in a positive and pleasant manner.

Contact us for further details and an initial European citizenship eligibility check.