Portugal Lawyer for Israeli Families: Sephardic Citizenship, Residency, Real Estate, Inheritance, and Cross-Border Legal Representation

Portugal occupies a singular place in the legal and historical consciousness of the Israeli family. The connection between Israel and Portugal is not merely commercial or geographic; it is rooted in one of the most consequential chapters of Jewish history. The expulsion of the Sephardic Jewish community from Portugal in 1497 created a diaspora whose descendants are now scattered across Israel, Brazil, the Americas, and throughout Europe. Centuries later, Portugal extended a formal legal recognition of that historical injustice through a landmark nationality law that opened the path to Portuguese citizenship for qualifying descendants of those expelled Sephardic families. The legal, fiscal, and geopolitical implications of that pathway remain among the most significant opportunities available to Israeli families in the international legal landscape.

Beyond the Sephardic citizenship pathway, Portugal has positioned itself as one of Europe's most attractive destinations for international investment, residency, and family relocation. Its membership in the European Union, its stable legal system rooted in the civil law tradition, its progressive fiscal frameworks for new residents, its high quality of life, and its strong historical and cultural ties to Israel make it a jurisdiction of genuine strategic relevance for Israeli families seeking to diversify their legal status and geographic footprint. This firm represents Israeli families across all legal matters in Portugal, with offices in Lisbon and a fully integrated practice spanning Portugal, Brazil, and international law.

The Sephardic Nationality Law and Its Consequences for Israeli Families

Portuguese Law No. 30 of 2015 established a specific pathway for descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews to obtain Portuguese nationality. This law recognized that the expulsion of Sephardic Jews from Portugal in 1497 was a historical wrong, and that those whose families maintained a connection to Portuguese Sephardic heritage across the subsequent centuries retain a legitimate claim to Portuguese national belonging. For Israeli families of Sephardic origin, this law created a direct and accessible route to European Union citizenship that requires neither relocation to Portugal nor renunciation of Israeli nationality.

The application is made to the Portuguese Nationality Registry and requires the submission of documented evidence of Sephardic heritage, including ancestral connection to Sephardic Jewish communities of Portuguese origin, recognized by one of the designated Jewish community organizations in Portugal. The applicant must also demonstrate Portuguese language proficiency or ties to the Portuguese community and have no criminal convictions in Portugal. Crucially, the law does not require the applicant to reside in Portugal, to hold any Portuguese property, or to invest any capital in the country. It is a nationality pathway grounded entirely in documented lineage and cultural continuity.

Once Portuguese nationality is granted, the applicant becomes a full EU citizen with the right to reside, work, invest, and establish businesses throughout all twenty-seven EU member states. The passport issued is one of the most powerful travel documents in the world, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the overwhelming majority of countries globally, including jurisdictions that impose significant visa requirements on Israeli passport holders. For an Israeli family with international commercial interests, this combination of EU citizenship and the retained Israeli passport creates a uniquely flexible legal and logistical profile. Our Lisbon legal practice handles Sephardic nationality applications in full and advises Israeli families on optimizing the consequences of Portuguese citizenship for their investment, tax, and mobility strategies.

Portugal as a Destination for Israeli Investment and Residency

Independent of the Sephardic nationality pathway, Portugal has developed one of Europe's most sophisticated frameworks for attracting international investment and high-net-worth residency. Israeli investors and entrepreneurs who do not qualify for Sephardic citizenship but seek a foothold in the European Union will find that Portugal offers multiple accessible residency routes, a competitive corporate tax environment, bilateral investment protections, and a political and institutional climate of stability that is rare in the current global context.

The D7 Passive Income Visa is available to Israeli nationals who receive regular passive income from foreign sources, including rental income, dividends, pension payments, or returns on financial investments. This visa confers the right to reside in Portugal and, after five years of continuous residency, to apply for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship. It is particularly suited to Israeli retirees, financially independent individuals, and families who wish to establish a European base without being dependent on local employment.

The D2 Entrepreneur Visa is designed for Israeli entrepreneurs who intend to establish a business in Portugal or who already operate a business with Portuguese connections. It requires a demonstrable business plan, proof of financial means, and in some cases endorsement from a recognized business incubator or development agency. For Israeli founders in the technology, fintech, health, or sustainable development sectors, the D2 pathway offers an efficient route to Portuguese residency combined with access to EU research funding, talent pools, and preferential trading conditions. Our immigration practice in Lisbon manages all aspects of D7 and D2 applications and provides strategic advice on the most efficient pathway for each Israeli client's specific profile.

Acquiring Real Estate in Portugal as an Israeli Family

Portugal's real estate market is among the most internationally active in Europe, and Israeli buyers represent a meaningful segment of the foreign purchaser population, particularly in Lisbon, Cascais, Porto, and the Algarve. The legal framework governing real estate acquisition by foreign nationals in Portugal is transparent, well-regulated, and fully accessible to Israeli buyers, provided the transaction is conducted through a licensed lawyer who performs the necessary due diligence and coordinates the notarial closing.

The first step for an Israeli buyer who does not yet hold Portuguese residency is to obtain a NIF, the Portuguese taxpayer identification number. The NIF is required for any legal or fiscal act in Portugal, including the execution of a promissory purchase agreement, the payment of IMT, which is the Portuguese property transfer tax, and the execution of the final deed of purchase before a notary. The NIF can be obtained by the buyer personally at a tax office in Portugal or, more practically for clients based in Israel, through a licensed Portuguese lawyer acting under a notarized power of attorney.

Due diligence on Portuguese real estate transactions involves a title search at the competent land registry, verification of the property's urban planning status at the municipal authority, confirmation that all taxes and condominium fees are current, and review of the energy efficiency certificate. Urban properties in Lisbon and other major cities have been subject to intensive renovation programs, and some older properties carry historic designation status that imposes restrictions on structural modifications. Our team conducts thorough due diligence on every transaction and advises Israeli buyers on the legal and commercial implications of each specific property before any commitment is made.

The Non-Habitual Resident Regime and Its Strategic Value for Israeli Families

Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident regime, commonly known as NHR, has been one of the most discussed and analyzed fiscal frameworks for international families considering European residency. Originally introduced to attract high-value professionals and investors to Portugal, the NHR regime provided qualifying new residents with significant tax advantages on foreign-sourced income for a period of ten years. The regime has undergone legislative changes, and the current iteration, applicable to new applicants, focuses on specific professional and investment categories, including technology, innovation, and research.

For Israeli families considering Portuguese residency, the strategic analysis of the NHR regime must be conducted in conjunction with an assessment of the individual's Israeli tax status, the nature and source of their income, and the interaction between Portuguese and Israeli tax obligations. Israel taxes its residents on worldwide income and imposes exit taxation rules on individuals who cease to be Israeli tax residents. The transition from Israeli to Portuguese tax residency must therefore be planned in advance and executed in a legally compliant sequence to avoid triggering adverse Israeli tax consequences while maximizing the benefits available under Portuguese law.

Our tax practice in Lisbon advises Israeli families on the full fiscal planning architecture for their relocation to Portugal, including NHR qualification analysis, Israeli exit tax planning, optimization of investment income structures, treatment of Portuguese rental income, and compliance with both Portuguese and Israeli annual reporting obligations. The complexity of this planning increases significantly when the family also holds assets in Brazil, which is a common profile among Israeli families with Sephardic heritage and generational ties to the Latin American Jewish community.

Estate Planning and Inheritance Law in Portugal for Israeli Families

Portuguese succession law contains provisions that are directly relevant to Israeli families holding assets in Portugal and that can produce surprising results for those who have not structured their estates in advance. The most significant of these provisions is the forced heirship system established in the Portuguese Civil Code, which reserves a quota of the estate, known as the legítima, for the testator's compulsory heirs, being descendants, ascendants, and in some cases the surviving spouse. This reserved portion cannot be reduced by will, by lifetime gift, or by any other testamentary instrument below the statutory minimum.

EU Regulation No. 650 of 2012 on succession, commonly referred to as the EU Succession Regulation or Brussels IV, provides that the law applicable to the succession of an EU resident is the law of their habitual residence at the time of death. However, the regulation also permits a choice of law declaration, under which the testator may elect the law of their nationality to govern their entire succession. For an Israeli national residing in Portugal who has obtained Portuguese citizenship through the Sephardic pathway, this choice-of-law option acquires particular complexity, since the individual holds dual nationality and must navigate the interaction between Israeli succession law, Portuguese civil law, and the EU Succession Regulation with the assistance of qualified international legal counsel.

Portugal abolished inheritance and gift tax between direct-line relatives. Assets transferred to children, grandchildren, or parents are not subject to inheritance tax. The Imposto do Selo, or stamp duty, applies at ten percent of the value of assets transferred to non-lineal heirs. This makes Portugal's succession environment significantly more favorable than that of many other EU member states and creates planning opportunities for Israeli families who structure their Portuguese holdings through appropriate legal instruments. Our estate and probate practice in Portugal drafts wills, structures inter vivos transfers, and advises on the choice of law declarations that maximize the enforceability of the testator's intentions across Israeli and Portuguese jurisdictions.

International Family Law for Israeli Families in Portugal

Israeli families residing in Portugal or maintaining significant legal connections to both countries frequently encounter family law matters that require coordination between two legal systems. The Portuguese Civil Code governs marriage, divorce, parental responsibility, child custody, and alimony for residents of Portugal, and its provisions differ in meaningful ways from Israeli family law, which incorporates elements of religious personal status law alongside civil procedures, creating a unique legal environment with no direct equivalent in continental European law.

An Israeli divorce conducted before a rabbinical court or a civil court in Israel is not automatically enforceable in Portugal. For the divorce to have legal effect in Portugal, including the ability to update civil registry records, remarry in Portugal, or legally manage jointly held Portuguese assets, the foreign judgment must be recognized through the Portuguese exequatur procedure before the competent court. This recognition is required even when both spouses are Israeli nationals and the divorce was conducted in full compliance with Israeli law. Without exequatur recognition, Portuguese authorities continue to treat the parties as married, which creates direct consequences for inheritance rights, asset ownership, and civil status.

Our family law practice in Lisbon represents Israeli families in all aspects of Portuguese family law, including divorce proceedings before Portuguese courts, recognition of Israeli divorces through the exequatur procedure, cross-border custody arrangements for children with Israeli-Portuguese nationality, enforcement of Israeli maintenance orders in Portugal, and drafting of prenuptial agreements that are legally valid and enforceable under both Portuguese and Israeli law. For couples whose family assets span Israel, Portugal, and Brazil, our tripartite coverage across all three jurisdictions provides the comprehensive coordination that the complexity of their situation demands.

Corporate Structures and Business Establishment for Israeli Entrepreneurs in Portugal

Portugal's business environment has undergone a structural transformation that makes it one of the most attractive destinations in Europe for Israeli entrepreneurs and technology companies seeking EU market access. The country offers a competitive corporate income tax rate, a Patent Box regime that significantly reduces taxation on income derived from intellectual property, an established startup ecosystem centered in Lisbon and Porto, access to EU funding programs and research grants, and a legal framework that accommodates foreign-owned businesses with minimal bureaucratic friction.

The standard corporate vehicle for foreign-owned businesses in Portugal is the Sociedade por Quotas, or LDA, which corresponds broadly to a limited liability company. The LDA requires a minimum of two shareholders, though recent legislative reforms have created a single-member variant for individual entrepreneurs. Formation requires registration with the commercial registry, enrollment with the tax authority, and appointment of a certified accountant responsible for ongoing fiscal compliance. For Israeli entrepreneurs who do not yet hold Portuguese residency, a local fiscal representative must be designated during the initial period.

Israeli companies seeking to establish a European presence in Portugal can also operate through a branch registration, which allows the parent company to conduct business in Portugal under its own name without creating a separate Portuguese legal entity. The branch is not a separate legal person and does not provide limited liability protection, but it avoids the capital and governance requirements of a new incorporation and is particularly suitable for Israeli companies testing the Portuguese market before committing to a full local establishment. Our Lisbon business practice manages the full incorporation or branch registration process and advises Israeli entrepreneurs on the optimal structure for their specific commercial objectives and tax position.

The Portugal-Israel-Brazil Triangle: Legal Coordination Across Three Jurisdictions

A distinctive characteristic of the Israeli families our firm serves in Portugal is their frequent simultaneous connection to Brazil. The Sephardic Jewish diaspora created significant communities across both Portugal and Brazil, and many Israeli families today hold assets, conduct business, or maintain family relationships across all three countries. This triangular legal profile, encompassing Israeli law, Portuguese law, and Brazilian law, requires a counsel who has professional capability in all three systems simultaneously.

The practical implications of this triangulation are substantial. An Israeli family that obtains Portuguese citizenship through the Sephardic pathway immediately acquires preferential immigration status in Brazil, where Portuguese nationals benefit from reduced residency requirements and facilitated naturalization procedures. A family that holds real estate in both Portugal and Brazil must coordinate two distinct probate procedures in the event of a death, each governed by different succession rules, different tax obligations, and different administrative systems. A cross-border divorce involving parties who hold assets in Tel Aviv, Lisbon, and Rio de Janeiro requires legal representation that understands all three jurisdictions and can design a settlement that is simultaneously enforceable in each.

Our firm is uniquely positioned to serve Israeli families in this triangular context. The practice holds bar admissions in both Brazil and Portugal, maintains active membership in the International Bar Association and the Union Internationale des Avocats, and has nearly three decades of documented experience advising foreign clients across cross-border legal matters involving multiple jurisdictions. For Israeli families navigating the intersection of Israeli, Portuguese, and Brazilian law, this integrated coverage eliminates the fragmentation and coordination failures that inevitably arise when separate national counsel are retained in each jurisdiction without a common strategic framework.

Recognition of Israeli Legal Acts and Documents in Portugal

Israeli legal documents, including powers of attorney, notarial deeds, court judgments, business certificates, and personal status documents, cannot be used directly in Portuguese legal proceedings or administrative processes without first undergoing a formal authentication procedure. Israel is a signatory to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalisation of Foreign Public Documents, which means that Israeli public documents can be apostilled by the competent Israeli authority rather than being submitted to the more burdensome consular legalization process. Once apostilled, they must be accompanied by a certified Portuguese translation before submission to any Portuguese court, registry, or administrative body.

For Israeli families conducting real estate transactions, probate proceedings, corporate formations, or family law matters in Portugal entirely from Israel, the power of attorney mechanism is the primary instrument that enables remote participation. A notarized and apostilled power of attorney granted to a Portuguese lawyer allows that lawyer to execute all required acts on behalf of the client in Portugal, including signing notarial deeds, appearing before courts, registering documents with public agencies, and paying taxes. Our team prepares all required documentation for Israeli clients, coordinates the apostille process through our Israel correspondence network, and manages all Portuguese procedures on behalf of clients who cannot travel to Portugal for each procedural step.

Residency Through the Portugal-Israel Investment Framework

Israeli investors who do not qualify for residency through the D7 passive income route or who prefer to anchor their Portuguese residency to a specific investment have access to additional frameworks that the Portuguese legal system provides for qualifying capital. Fund investments through authorized Portuguese investment funds represent one of the most commonly used alternatives for Israeli investors who seek a documented and legally secure basis for a Portuguese residence permit without direct real estate ownership.

The investment-based residency pathway requires the investor to maintain the qualifying investment for the duration of the initial permit period, which is two years, with subsequent renewals prior to applying for permanent residency or citizenship. The minimum physical presence requirement in Portugal under this framework is relatively modest, requiring the investor to spend a minimum number of days in Portugal each permit period. This makes the pathway particularly attractive for Israeli investors who wish to maintain an active professional life in Israel while progressively establishing their Portuguese legal status.

Our residency practice in Portugal provides end-to-end management of investment residency applications, from initial eligibility assessment and investment structuring through permit application, biometric enrollment, and the long-term pathway to permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship. We coordinate with financial institutions, fund managers, and tax advisors to ensure that each client's investment and immigration strategy are fully aligned from the outset.

Why Israeli Families Require International Legal Counsel with Portugal and Brazil Coverage

The legal needs of Israeli families in Portugal are defined by their cross-border nature. The Sephardic citizenship application requires coordination with Israeli legal counsel on documentary evidence of lineage. The Portuguese residency application requires integration of Israeli income and tax documentation with Portuguese administrative requirements. The estate plan for a Portuguese asset requires analysis of both Portuguese forced heirship rules and Israeli succession law to determine which system governs which assets and how the two interact under EU Succession Regulation 650/2012. The cross-border divorce involving Israeli and Portuguese proceedings requires a lawyer who can navigate both systems simultaneously and design a settlement that closes both proceedings definitively.

This complexity cannot be managed adequately by a lawyer who practices only in Portugal or only in Israel. It requires an international practitioner with documented experience in both systems and, for clients with Brazilian connections, in the Brazilian legal system as well. Our firm brings together, in a single practice, the bar admissions, the language capabilities, the institutional knowledge, and the international network required to serve Israeli families at the level their legal situation demands. We communicate in English and Portuguese, coordinate with Israeli legal professionals when required, and provide our clients with clear, strategic legal advice that reflects nearly three decades of international legal practice across three continents.

You can review the professional credentials and track record of our lead attorney, including bar admissions in both Brazil and Portugal and membership in major international legal organizations, on our attorney profile page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sephardic nationality law in Portugal, and can Israeli families apply?

Portuguese Law No. 30 of 2015 grants the right to Portuguese nationality to descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from Portugal in 1497. Israeli families of Sephardic origin who can document their lineage through recognized Jewish community organizations may apply regardless of where they reside. The application does not require relocation to Portugal and does not require renunciation of Israeli nationality.

Does obtaining Portuguese citizenship affect Israeli nationality?

Israel recognizes dual nationality in most circumstances, and Israeli law does not automatically strip Israeli citizenship when a national acquires a second nationality. However, the specific legal consequences for each applicant depend on their individual status and the circumstances of acquisition. We recommend consulting with Israeli legal counsel concurrently with the Portuguese application to confirm the dual nationality position for each client.

What immigration visas are available in Portugal for Israeli nationals who do not qualify for Sephardic citizenship?

Israeli nationals may apply for the D7 Passive Income Visa, the D2 Entrepreneur Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, and, where eligible, investment-based residency through authorized fund investments. Each pathway has specific eligibility criteria, financial thresholds, and documentation requirements. Our immigration team assesses each client's profile and recommends the most appropriate and efficient route.

Can an Israeli national buy real estate in Portugal without a residence permit?

Yes. Non-residents may purchase real estate freely in Portugal. The primary requirement is obtaining a NIF, the Portuguese taxpayer number, before executing the purchase deed. A NIF can be obtained through a power of attorney granted to a Portuguese lawyer, allowing the entire transaction to be conducted remotely without the buyer traveling to Portugal for each procedural step.

Is there inheritance tax in Portugal for Israeli families who own property there?

Portugal abolished inheritance and gift tax between direct-line family members, including children, grandchildren, and parents. Assets transferred to these heirs carry no inheritance tax. Stamp duty at ten percent applies to transfers to non-lineal heirs. This makes Portugal's succession environment substantially more favorable than most EU member states and creates meaningful planning opportunities for Israeli families.

Does Portugal recognize an Israeli divorce?

A divorce conducted in Israel does not automatically produce legal effects in Portugal. It must be recognized through the Portuguese exequatur procedure before the competent court. Until recognition is obtained, Portuguese authorities treat the parties as married, which has direct consequences for civil registry status, property rights, and inheritance entitlements. Our family law team manages the full exequatur proceeding for Israeli divorce decrees.

What is the NHR regime, and is it available to Israeli nationals moving to Portugal?

The Non-Habitual Resident regime is a Portuguese fiscal program that offers tax advantages to qualifying new residents for a period of ten years. The current iteration focuses on high-value professional and investment categories. Israeli nationals who establish Portuguese tax residency and meet the qualifying criteria may apply for NHR status. The interaction with Israeli tax obligations requires careful advance planning to avoid triggering adverse consequences under Israeli exit tax rules.

Can Israeli families structure their Portuguese assets to avoid EU succession complications?

Yes. EU Succession Regulation 650/2012 permits a testator to elect the law of their nationality to govern their succession rather than the law of their habitual residence. For Israeli nationals with Portuguese nationality obtained through the Sephardic pathway, the choice of law analysis involves careful consideration of which nationality governs, what the Portuguese and Israeli succession rules provide for the specific asset mix, and how to structure wills and inter vivos transfers to maximize the enforceability of the testator's intentions in both jurisdictions.

How long does the Sephardic nationality application process take?

Processing timelines vary depending on the volume of applications before the Nationality Registry and the completeness of the documentation submitted. Applications that are well-documented and supported by recognized community attestations typically advance more smoothly. Our team prepares and submits complete applications and monitors the proceeding through to decision, addressing any supplementary information requests from the registry promptly.

Can an Israeli family obtain Portuguese citizenship without the Sephardic pathway?

Yes. Portuguese citizenship by naturalization is available to foreign nationals who have legally resided in Portugal continuously for five years, demonstrate basic Portuguese language proficiency, and have no convictions for crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding three years. This is the standard pathway for Israeli investors, entrepreneurs, and families who do not qualify for Sephardic nationality but establish their residence in Portugal through one of the available visa programs.

What taxes apply to Portuguese rental income earned by an Israeli investor?

Non-resident investors in Portuguese property are generally taxed at a flat rate on gross rental income unless they elect to be taxed under the aggregation regime. Resident investors are taxed on net income under the progressive Personal Income Tax scale. The optimal tax treatment depends on the investor's residency status, the structure of the property ownership, and any applicable double taxation relief. Our tax practice advises on the most efficient treatment for each client's specific rental investment profile.

Is Portuguese law compatible with Jewish religious requirements in family matters?

Portuguese family law is entirely secular and civil in nature. There is no religious dimension to civil marriage, divorce, or custody proceedings in Portugal. Religious ceremonies may have personal and community significance, but they produce no separate legal effects under Portuguese law. Israeli families who wish to ensure that their civil arrangements in Portugal are consistent with their religious obligations should seek coordinated advice from both their Portuguese lawyer and their religious community's legal advisors.

What documents does an Israeli national need to provide for a Portuguese real estate transaction?

The standard documentation required from an Israeli buyer includes a valid passport, a NIF, proof of source of funds as required by anti-money laundering regulations, and in some cases a certificate of good standing from Israeli banking institutions. For buyers acting through a power of attorney, the power of attorney must be notarized, apostilled, and accompanied by a certified Portuguese translation. Our team reviews all documentation before submission and provides a comprehensive checklist tailored to each specific transaction.

Can Israeli companies establish a branch or subsidiary in Portugal?

Yes. Israeli companies may establish both branches and subsidiaries in Portugal. A branch operates under the parent company's name and legal identity without separate Portuguese legal personality. A subsidiary is a fully independent Portuguese legal entity, typically structured as an LDA, with its own corporate identity and liability ring-fencing. The choice between branch and subsidiary depends on factors including the scope and duration of the Portuguese activities, tax considerations, and liability exposure. Our corporate practice advises on the optimal structure and manages the full formation process.

How does the Portugal-Israel relationship affect visa-free travel for Israeli families?

Portugal's EU membership means that Israeli nationals holding Portuguese citizenship may travel freely throughout the Schengen Area and all EU member states. Israeli nationals without Portuguese citizenship benefit from visa-free access to the Schengen Area for short stays of up to ninety days in any one hundred and eighty day period. For longer stays or residence, an appropriate visa or residence permit must be obtained in advance. Portuguese citizenship by the Sephardic pathway or naturalization significantly expands an Israeli family's global mobility profile.

What is the cost of obtaining a NIF in Portugal as an Israeli national?

The administrative cost of NIF registration at a Portuguese tax office is nominal. The practical cost for clients based in Israel who cannot attend in person involves the professional fees for a Portuguese lawyer to act under a power of attorney. Our team handles NIF registration as part of the broader service we provide to Israeli clients initiating any legal process in Portugal, including real estate transactions, company formation, or residency applications.

Can an Israeli heir manage a Portuguese probate proceeding without traveling to Portugal?

Yes. Israeli heirs can participate fully in Portuguese succession proceedings through a licensed Portuguese lawyer acting under a notarized and apostilled power of attorney. Inheritance declarations, partition agreements, and registration of title transfers can all be executed through proxy representation. Our team coordinates the power of attorney process with Israeli notaries and manages the complete succession proceeding on behalf of heirs who cannot be present in Portugal.

What are the main risks for Israeli families investing in Portuguese real estate?

The main legal risks include title defects not identified in a preliminary search, undisclosed encumbrances or mortgages on the property, outstanding municipal taxes or condominium arrears that transfer with the property, and construction irregularities in properties subject to renovation permits. Thorough due diligence conducted by a licensed Portuguese lawyer before any payment is made is the primary instrument for identifying and mitigating these risks. Our team performs full due diligence on every property transaction and advises clients on risk allocation in the purchase agreement.

Does Portugal have a double taxation treaty with Israel?

Portugal and Israel have a bilateral double taxation treaty that establishes the rules for allocating taxing rights over income earned by residents of one country in the other. The treaty covers dividends, interest, royalties, capital gains, and employment income, and provides mechanisms for avoiding double taxation through exemptions or tax credits. Our tax practice applies the treaty provisions to each Israeli client's income profile to minimize the overall tax burden across both jurisdictions.

Why should an Israeli family choose a lawyer with both Portuguese and Brazilian credentials?

Many Israeli families have generational ties to both Portugal and Brazil through the Sephardic diaspora, or they hold assets and conduct business across all three countries simultaneously. A lawyer who holds admissions only in Portugal cannot advise on the Brazilian legal implications of a succession, an investment structure, or a residency plan that involves Brazilian assets. Equally, a Brazilian lawyer cannot represent clients before Portuguese courts or execute Portuguese notarial acts. Our firm holds bar admissions in both countries, has nearly three decades of international practice, and provides Israeli families with a single integrated counsel across the full scope of their legal needs in Portugal, Brazil, and all matters requiring coordination with Israeli legal counsel.

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