Lower House of Parliament approves law granting nationality to Sephardic Jews of Spanish origin

During the parliamentary debate, the Minister for Justice, Rafael Catalá, said that "today sees the conclusion of efforts to process a law that will once again open the door to all descendants of those who were so unjustly expelled". Rafael Catalá believes that "this law says much about who we were in the past and who we are today and what we want to be in the future: an open, diverse and tolerant Spain".

The Minister for Justice thanked the representatives of the Jewish communities for their presence in the Lower House of Parliament and the participation by all parliamentary groups in achieving what he described as a "fair law".

Necessary requirements

It will be possible to submit an application for Spanish nationality via an online procedure to be made available as from 1 October 2015, the date on which the law will come into force. The process will be open for a period of three years, with the possibility of being extended for one further year.

The two basic requirements for applying for Spanish nationality through this process are: suitable demonstration of status as a Sephardic Jew and a special tie to Spain.

Status as a Sephardic Jew must be accredited via a certificate issued by the Chairman of the Permanent Commission of the Spanish Federation of Jewish Communities, by the equivalent person of the Jewish community in which the applicant resides or the competent rabbinical authority legally recognised in their country. It must also be shown that Ladino or Haketia is used as the family language and the birth certificate or ketubah or marriage certificate must be provided showing its celebration according to the traditions of Castilla. It will also be necessary to provide accreditation in a reasoned report on the link between the surnames of the applicant and the Sephardic Jew lineage of Spanish origin.

This authentic evidence, and any other that the applicant can provide, will be assessed as a whole for acceptance of their condition of Sephardic Jew of Spanish origin.

In order to demonstrate the special tie to Spain, applicants will be required to pass two tests administered by the Cervantes Institute: to accredit basic knowledge of the Spanish language (DELE level A2 or above) and to demonstrate knowledge of the Spanish Constitution, social reality and culture of Spain.

Certificates of study in Spanish history and culture issued by official institutions or officially recognised private institutions will also be considered, as well as documents accrediting inclusion of the applicant on the lists of Sephardic Jewish families protected by Spain under the Royal Decree of 20 December 1924 and the Decree-Law of 29 December 1948. The undertaking of charity, cultural or economic activities in favour of Spanish persons or institutions and all those aimed at the study, conservation and spread of Sephardic culture will be considered as evidence of such a tie to Spain.

After receiving all the necessary reports, the Directorate-General of Registries and Notary Affairs will issue a reasoned decision within a period of one year (administrative silence within this period shall reflect a rejection of the corresponding application). The applicant shall have a period of 12 months to register with the Civil Registry.