A massive crowd of Israelis on Friday swarmed Cinema City Glilot in Ramat Hasharon, forming winding queues that stretched from the plaza entrance down to the underground parking area, as thousands attempted to secure appointments with the Portuguese Embassy for citizenship applications and passport renewals.
The turnout followed the embassy’s announcement of a special walk-in service for December and January.
The initiative, themed “Old times are back,” was promoted on its Facebook page as a rare opportunity for Portuguese citizens and eligible applicants to book appointments without using the heavily congested online system.
By dawn, the venue was already filled with hopeful applicants. Some arrived hours earlier to beat the rush, while others eventually abandoned the effort after encountering the overwhelming number of people waiting to be attended to.
Staff members struggled to manage the surge as more applicants continued to arrive throughout the day.
The soaring demand reflects the sustained interest among Israelis seeking Portuguese citizenship, a trend that accelerated after Portugal introduced its 2015 “law of return” granting nationality to descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews persecuted during the 16th-century Inquisition.
Though Portugal signalled an end to the policy in late 2023, the government opted for stricter criteria rather than a complete halt.
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Applicants must now demonstrate stronger and more verifiable ties to the country, including evidence of at least three years of residence.
Despite the tighter conditions, Portuguese citizenship remains highly coveted. Holders of a Portuguese passport enjoy freedom of movement across the European Union, access to lower tuition in public universities, and opportunities within an economic environment known for relatively moderate taxes and living costs.
Interest intensified after the Hamas-led attacks of October 2023, a period marked by growing insecurity and a spike in Israelis exploring second citizenship options for safety, mobility, and long-term stability.
Tens of thousands have emigrated since then, further fuelling demand for EU nationality routes.
Although Portugal has announced that passports issued from May 2026 will carry a 10-year validity, those who secure appointment slots from Friday’s walk-in event are expected to receive the existing five-year documents.
For many braving the cold and the long wait, the opportunity to secure a more secure future outweighed the exhaustion — making the hours spent in line a sacrifice they were willing to make.
Times of Israel
