What Stage Are Approvals At as of March 2026?
Based on the most recent decisions issued by the Portuguese authorities, as of March 2026, approvals are currently being granted for applications submitted in April 2021.
It is important to understand that processing timelines are not linear. The fact that April 2021 applications are being approved now does not mean that May applications will be completed next month and June shortly after.
Processing a single month of applications can take several months of real time due to the volume of accumulated cases. In addition, the pace of approvals depends directly on the Conservatória (Civil Registry Office) assigned to each case. Each office progresses at its own speed based on operational capacity and the specific volume of applications it received.
The Origin of the Delays
To understand the current pace of approvals, it is essential to consider the context of those years. The system overload was caused by the combination of two major historical factors.
- The closure of Spain’s Sephardic citizenship law in 2019 led thousands of applicants worldwide to shift their focus to Portugal, making it the primary remaining option for Sephardic descendants and significantly increasing the number of new applications.
- Changes to Portuguese law in 2022 also played a critical role. The government introduced new regulations for Sephardic citizenship, which came fully into effect in September of that year.
The anticipation of these changes triggered a surge in applications. Between 2021 and September 2022, tens of thousands of applications were submitted, creating a significant backlog at the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN).
The Current Administrative Situation in Portugal
The Portuguese government system has faced a workload that exceeds its operational capacity. The slow pace of approvals reflects both the overall system backlog and the limited number of trained officials available to review the legal complexity of these cases.
The Status of Your Application
Not receiving updates or seeing recent approvals does not indicate a problem with your case. This is a nationwide administrative situation affecting all applicants.
Processing times, review, and final approval decisions are the sole responsibility of the Portuguese authorities. At GetEUPassport, we prepare and submit applications in full compliance with all legal requirements, ensuring your case is properly structured and protected under the applicable legal framework.
At this stage, the process primarily involves waiting for the authorities to advance through the existing inventory of applications. We continue to closely monitor progress across the Conservatórias and will notify you promptly as soon as there are updates regarding your case.
