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Recovery of EU long-term residence

SpainLong-term residence

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What exact status does accumulated residence lead to?

Recovery restores the former holder's EU long-term-residence authorisation in Spain.

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What qualifying residence period is required and when does the period begin?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm the qualifying residence period and when it begins.

Which types of residence count fully, partially or not at all where the official rules specify this?

The official source does not specify which types of residence count towards a qualifying period; recovery depends instead on how the former authorisation ended. It applies where the former authorisation ended on the grounds specified in Article 201(1)(c) or (d), or where the former holder stayed outside Spain for more than six years. It applies to the former EU long-term resident, not to a family member holding a reunited-family authorisation.

See recorded sources
  • RD 1155/2024, Article 186(1)(a)
    Cuando la autorización se hubiera extinguido en base a lo dispuesto en el artículo 201.1 c) y d).
  • RD 1155/2024, Article 186(1)(b)
    Cuando la persona extranjera hubiera permanecido durante un periodo superior a seis años fuera de territorio español.
  • RD 1155/2024, Article 186(2)
    Este precepto será de aplicación al que fue titular de una residencia de larga duración-UE, pero no a sus familiares reagrupados con una autorización de reagrupación familiar.

What absence/continuity rules affect accumulation of the qualifying residence period?

For recovery, one specified absence-related ground is remaining outside Spanish territory for more than six years. The official source does not specify a separate absence rule for accumulating a new qualifying period.

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What other major conditions apply, how is the status obtained, and what renewal, document-validity, retention or loss rules matter?

The former holder applies personally on the official form, at the immigration office of the province where they wish to live or, addressed to that office, at the Spanish consulate for their place of residence. The application includes proof of sufficient fixed and regular resources for themselves and, where applicable, their family, proof of health insurance and proof of fee payment. Recovery may be refused if the person is considered a threat to public order, public security or public health. The authority decides with reasons and notifies within three months of filing; if it has not decided expressly within that period, the decision is deemed favourable. If favourable, the person must apply in person for the foreigner identity card within one month of notification or of actual entry into Spain; the card is valid for five years.

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These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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