Long-term residence in Spain
After five years of legal and continuous residence you can access long-term residence, which allows you to live and work in Spain permanently. Here we explain the requirements, how absences are counted, the paperwork and how it is renewed. Check with our tool whether you already meet the time needed to apply for it.
- How many days can I leave Spain without losing my residence
Are you going to travel or spend periods abroad and fear losing your card? We explain, with specific figures and RD 1155/2024 in hand, how many days you can be away depending on whether you have temporary residence, long-term residence or are on the road to citizenship, and how those absences are counted.
- Long-term residence vs EU long-term residence: the differences
Have you been residing legally in Spain for five years and are not sure which card to apply for? We explain, in plain language, the difference between long-term residence and EU long-term residence: what each one lets you do, which requirements change and which one suits you if you plan to move around Europe.