Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
How long could you be outside of Spain and the Schengen area with this residency? Planning on spending a year in the future outside of the EU and I know there is a specific period that you could only be out or else you’ll lose the residency. Any insights would be appreciated
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“EU citizens can be out of the country for up to six months every year in the first six months. Absences of up to one year can be authorized for certain circumstances, e.g. studies, work, health…”
“I just got my tarjeta comunitaria with pareja de hecho and asked them and they said as long as I’m not out of the country for more than two consecutive years it’s fine”
“My understanding is that your larga duración wouldn’t be “lost” and irretrievable. If you’re out of Spain for more than you’re supposed to be, you simply have to petition to get your LD back and it seems fairly easy to do so (need criminal check again and health letter again) but other than that, it’s just a form to fill out. But I’m very interested to hear other responses to your query. This subject is something I want to learn more about. So far, my understanding is that after one year outside of Spain, you have lost LD and have to petition to have it reinstated.”
“I just got my larga duracion and my lawyer said you have to be inside of Spain one day each year to maintain it or you lose it. So even visiting for a weekend and you keep it.”
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Explore Cities →“I just got it, and am in process of getting my card. On my offer letter it’s says no more than 12 consecutive months outside of Schengen area. This some also say if you lost it you just need to reapply. Note that reapply doesn’t equal renewal, it requires submission of documents again for approval. Nevertheless like Sheila has said in her comment – if you spend long time in another country with lucrative nature you will have to pay taxes to that country, not sure however if taxes should be reported in Spain tho. Would like to know more also.”
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