68 limits · 27 countries · each with its official source
How long can you live abroad without losing your residence permit?
Every country limits time away: 6 months for a German residence permit, 2 years for UK ILR, 730 days in 5 years for Canadian permanent residence. Compare the residence permit rules by country, then work out the date you need to be back.
Residence permit absence limits, side by side
The longest you can be away in one go before a permit or permanent residence ends or can be taken away.
- 3 months
- Switzerlandshort-stay permit
- 180 days
- UAEresidence visa
- 6 months
- Italypermesso di soggiorno, valid less than 2 years
- Netherlandsresidence permit, regular
- Germanyresidence permit, settlement permit
- Switzerlandresidence permit, settlement permit
- Denmarktemporary residence permit
- Portugaltemporary residence permit
- 1 year
- United Statesgreen card
- EU long-term residenceunder the EU directive
- CyprusEU long-term resident status
- Italypermesso di soggiorno, valid 2 years, EU long-term residence permit
- NetherlandsEU long-term resident
- Austrialong-term residence
- Czech Republicpermanent residence permit
- GermanyEU Blue Card, EU long-term residence
- PolandEU long-term resident permit
- Denmarkpermit leading to permanent residence, after 2 years, permanent residence permit
- Swedenpermanent residence permit, EU long-term resident status
- PortugalEU long-term resident
- Spainlong-term residence, EU long-term residence
- Japanstatus of residence, permanent resident
- 2 years
- United Kingdomindefinite leave to remain
- Cypruspermanent residence
- Austrialong-term residence after an EU Blue Card
- Finlandfixed-term residence permit, permanent residence permit, EU long-term resident’s permit
- Norwaypermanent residence permit
- Swedenpermanent residence permit after research
- Portugalpermanent residence permit
- 3 years
- Francecarte de résident, EU long-term resident card
- South Africapermanent residence permit
- 4 years
- United Kingdomsettled status, Swiss citizens
- 5 years
- United Kingdomsettled status, pre-settled status
- 6 years
- Czech Republicpermanent residence permit, outside the Czech Republic
- Polandpermanent residence permit
Counted another way
- United Kingdom: Visa on a route to ILR — 180 days away in any 12 months
- Canada: Permanent residence — 730 days in Canada in 5 years
- Australia: Permanent visa: Resident Return visa — 2 years in Australia in the last 5
- Cyprus: Temporary residence permit — 6 months in one absence; 10 in total
- Ireland: Irish Residence Permit (IRP), any stamp — 90 days outside Ireland in a year; Stamp 4 on Long Term Residency — 90 days outside Ireland in a calendar year; Stamp 5 (without condition as to time) — 4 months outside Ireland in a year
- Netherlands: Highly skilled migrant, researcher or foreign investor — 8 months in any 12 months
- Austria: Temporary residence permit (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte and others) — 6 months in one go; 10 in 5 years
- Czech Republic: Long-term residence permit (dlouhodobý pobyt) — 6 months in one absence; 310 days in total
- Poland: Temporary residence permit (TRC) — 6 months in one break; 10 in total
- Norway: Temporary residence permit — 7 months abroad in 3 years
- Sweden: Temporary residence or work permit — No set limit while you still live in Sweden
- Spain: Non-lucrative residence (residencia no lucrativa) — 183 days in Spain each calendar year
- Japan: Re-entry permit (any status) — 5 years with a re-entry permit
- New Zealand: Resident visa — Travel date on your visa; Permanent Resident Visa — No limit on time away; Permanent Resident Visa, to qualify — 184 days in NZ in each of 2 years
- Singapore: Permanent residence (PR) — 180 days abroad without a valid REP
- Mexico: Temporary resident (residente temporal) — No limit while your card is valid; Permanent resident (residente permanente) — No limit on time abroad
Residence permit rules by country
Temporary permits and permanent residence: each limit, how it’s counted and what happens past it.
| Country and status | Limit | How it’s counted | Past the limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| United KingdomVisa on a route to ILR | 180 daysaway in any 12 months | Whole days away, in any 12 months | Breaks the continuous residence ILR needs |
| United KingdomIndefinite leave to remain (ILR) | 2 yearsin a row | Outside the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man | ILR lapses |
| United KingdomSettled status (EUSS) | 5 yearsin a row | 4 years for Swiss citizens and their family | Settled status lapses |
| United KingdomSettled status (EUSS), Swiss citizens | 4 yearsin a row | Swiss citizens and their family members | Settled status lapses |
| United KingdomPre-settled status (EUSS) | 5 yearsin a row | Breaking continuous residence before that can also lose it | Lapses after 5 years; can be cancelled sooner |
| United StatesGreen card | 1 yearaway in one trip | Up to 2 years with a re-entry permit | You may be found to have abandoned it |
| CanadaPermanent residence | 730 daysin Canada in 5 years | Any days in the last 5 years; some time abroad counts | PR status can be lost |
| AustraliaPermanent visa: Resident Return visa | 2 yearsin Australia in the last 5 | Days in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen | No 5-year travel facility |
| EU long-term residenceUnder the EU directive | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU | Or 6 years outside the country that granted it | The status is lost |
| CyprusTemporary residence permit | 6 monthsin one absence; 10 in total | Over the 5 years toward long-term residence | The 5 years are interrupted |
| CyprusPermanent residence (Immigration Permit) | 2 yearsabsent from Cyprus | Investor permits included; or permanent residence abroad | The permit ceases to be valid |
| CyprusEU long-term resident status | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU | Or 6 years in a row outside Cyprus | The status can be withdrawn |
| FranceCarte de résident (10 years) | 3 yearsin a row outside France | From the day you leave France | The card is no longer valid |
| FranceEU long-term resident card (résident de longue durée-UE) | 3 yearsin a row outside the EU | Or 6 years in a row outside France | The card is no longer valid |
| IrelandIrish Residence Permit (IRP), any stamp | 90 daysoutside Ireland in a year | In a rolling year; holidays, personal and work trips together | Breaks the residence condition |
| IrelandStamp 4 on Long Term Residency | 90 daysoutside Ireland in a calendar year | One absence or several together | Breaks the residence condition |
| IrelandStamp 5 (without condition as to time) | 4 monthsoutside Ireland in a year | Holidays, family, and work for an employer in Ireland | Breaks the residence condition |
| ItalyPermesso di soggiorno, valid less than 2 years | 6 monthsin a row | From the day you leave | The permit can’t be renewed |
| ItalyPermesso di soggiorno, valid 2 years | 12 monthsin a row | Half the permit’s validity | The permit can’t be renewed |
| ItalyEU long-term residence permit (permesso UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo) | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU | Or more than 6 years outside Italy | The permit is revoked |
| NetherlandsResidence permit, regular (temporary or permanent) | 6 monthsin a row, in one calendar year | Or more than 4 months in a row in each of 3 calendar years | The permit can be withdrawn or not extended |
| NetherlandsHighly skilled migrant, researcher or foreign investor | 8 monthsin any 12 months | Separate periods are added up | The permit can be withdrawn or not extended |
| NetherlandsEU long-term resident | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland | Or more than 6 years in a row outside the Netherlands | Your main residence is taken to have moved |
| AustriaTemporary residence permit (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte and others) | 6 monthsin one go; 10 in 5 years | Toward the 5 years for Daueraufenthalt – EU | The 5 years start again |
| AustriaLong-term residence (Daueraufenthalt – EU) | 12 monthsin a row outside the EEA | 24 for serious reasons, if you tell the authority first | The permit lapses by law |
| AustriaLong-term residence after an EU Blue Card (Daueraufenthalt – EU) | 24 monthsin a row outside the EEA | Also for family members | The permit lapses by law |
| Czech RepublicLong-term residence permit (dlouhodobý pobyt) | 6 monthsin one absence; 310 days in total | Over the 5 years toward permanent residence | The 5 years aren’t continuous |
| Czech RepublicPermanent residence permit (trvalý pobyt) | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU | Unless for a serious reason; 24 after a Blue Card | The permit is revoked |
| Czech RepublicPermanent residence permit, outside the Czech Republic | 6 yearsin a row outside the Czech Republic | Even if you live elsewhere in the EU | The permit is revoked |
| GermanyResidence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) | 6 monthsto come back | From the day you leave Germany | The permit ends by law |
| GermanySettlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) | 6 monthsto come back | From the day you leave; longer after 15 years, or married to a German | The permit ends by law |
| GermanyEU Blue Card | 12 monthsto come back | From the day you leave; the same for family members | The card ends by law |
| GermanyEU long-term residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU) | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU | 24 months after a Blue Card; 6 years outside Germany also ends it | The status ends by law |
| PolandTemporary residence permit (TRC) | 6 monthsin one break; 10 in total | Over the 5 years toward EU long-term residence | The time stops counting as continuous |
| PolandPermanent residence permit (pobyt stały) | 6 yearsoutside Poland | More than 6 years from the day you leave | The permit is revoked |
| PolandEU long-term resident permit | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU | 24 after a Blue Card; or over 6 years outside Poland | The permit is revoked |
| SwitzerlandResidence permit (B) | 6 monthsabroad | From the day you leave; short visits back don’t interrupt it | The permit expires |
| SwitzerlandSettlement permit (C) | 6 monthsabroad, or up to 4 years if you ask | From the day you leave; ask to keep it before the 6 months end | The permit expires |
| SwitzerlandShort-stay permit (L) | 3 monthsabroad | From the day you leave; short visits back don’t interrupt it | The permit expires |
| DenmarkTemporary residence permit | 6 monthsin a row outside Denmark | Even if you keep your Danish address | The permit lapses automatically |
| DenmarkPermit leading to permanent residence, after 2 years | 12 monthsin a row outside Denmark | After 2 years’ legal residence; 6 months before | The permit lapses automatically |
| DenmarkPermanent residence permit | 12 monthsin a row outside Denmark | Even if you keep your Danish address | The permit lapses automatically |
| FinlandFixed-term residence permit | 2 yearsin a row outside Finland | If you’ve moved away for good; sooner if you move permanently | The permit is cancelled |
| FinlandPermanent residence permit | 2 yearsin a row outside Finland | If you’ve moved away for good; sooner if you move permanently | The permit is cancelled |
| FinlandEU long-term resident’s permit (P-EU) | 2 yearsin a row outside the EU | Or 6 years in a row outside Finland | The permit is cancelled |
| NorwayTemporary residence permit | 7 monthsabroad in 3 years | In total, for permanent residence; 10 in 5 years for protection | No right to permanent residence yet |
| NorwayPermanent residence permit | 2 yearsin a row outside Norway | Also 2 years in total within 4; under 2 months a year doesn’t count | The permit lapses |
| SwedenPermanent residence permit (PUT) | 1 yearaway from Sweden | Longer can mean you no longer live in Sweden | The permit can be revoked |
| SwedenPermanent residence permit after research | 2 yearsafter you move away | If you notify the agency before you leave | The permit can be revoked after that |
| SwedenEU long-term resident status | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU | 24 after a Blue Card; or 6 years outside Sweden | The status is revoked |
| SwedenTemporary residence or work permit | No set limitwhile you still live in Sweden | Long stays abroad weigh on an extension | Revocable if you don’t mean to stay |
| PortugalTemporary residence permit | 6 monthsin a row, or 8 in total | Over the permit’s whole validity | The permit can be cancelled |
| PortugalPermanent residence permit | 24 monthsin a row, or 30 in 3 years | One absence, or the total in any 3 years | The permit can be cancelled |
| PortugalEU long-term resident | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU | Or 6 years in a row outside Portugal | The status is lost |
| SpainNon-lucrative residence (residencia no lucrativa) | 183 daysin Spain each calendar year | More than 183 days in Spain in the year, to renew | The permit can’t be renewed |
| SpainLong-term residence (larga duración) | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU | 24 months after an EU Blue Card | The authorisation is withdrawn |
| SpainEU long-term residence (larga duración-UE) | 12 monthsin a row outside the EU | Or 6 years outside Spain | The authorisation is withdrawn |
| UAEResidence visa | 180 daysoutside the UAE | One absence; Golden and Green residence exempt | The visa is cancelled automatically |
| JapanStatus of residence (work, family, study) | 1 yearwithout a re-entry permit | From the day you leave; sooner if your stay ends first | Your status of residence ends |
| JapanPermanent resident (eijūsha) | 1 yearwithout a re-entry permit | From the day you leave, on special re-entry permission | Permanent residence ends |
| JapanRe-entry permit (any status) | 5 yearswith a re-entry permit | From the day it takes effect, within your period of stay; 6 with an extension abroad | Your status of residence ends |
| New ZealandResident visa | Travel dateon your visa | The ‘Expiry date travel’; can be extended by 1 or 2 years | The visa expires if you’re outside after it |
| New ZealandPermanent Resident Visa | No limiton time away | Keep it in a valid passport | No conditions, no travel date |
| New ZealandPermanent Resident Visa, to qualify | 184 daysin NZ in each of 2 years | The 2 years just before you apply; one of 5 ways to show commitment | Shows your commitment to New Zealand |
| SingaporePermanent residence (PR) | 180 daysabroad without a valid REP | To apply for a new REP, from the first day outside without one | PR ends when the 180 days run out |
| MexicoTemporary resident (residente temporal) | No limitwhile your card is valid | Cards run 1 to 4 years; renew in the last 30 days | Renew on time |
| MexicoPermanent resident (residente permanente) | No limiton time abroad | The card has no expiry date | Ends if you declare you’re leaving for good |
| South AfricaPermanent residence permit | 3 yearsabsent from South Africa | A return and stay in South Africa interrupts it | The permit can be withdrawn |
| No country by that name yet. We add countries as we check their sources. |
Calculator: when do you need to be back?
Pick the country and your status, and the day you leave or left. You get the last day to be back before the limit runs out.
Residence permits and time abroad: questions and answers.
How long can you stay outside the country with a residence permit?
It depends on the country and the permit. Many temporary permits are at risk after about 6 months away in one go — Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Portugal — and the UAE cancels a residence visa after 180 days. Permanent statuses allow longer: 2 years for UK ILR, 5 for UK settled status. Each rule’s page has its limit and its source.
Does a short trip back reset the count?
Often, for a limit on one absence: coming back ends it. Not everywhere — in Switzerland, a visit, holiday or business trip back doesn’t interrupt the 6 months. Limits counted over several years, like Canada’s 730 days in 5, don’t reset.
Is a residence permit the same as tax residency?
No. A residence permit is about the right to live in a country; tax residency is decided by your days and ties there, with its own tests — often 183 days. You can keep a permit and not be tax resident, or the other way round.
Do absences affect citizenship too?
Yes, and the limits for naturalisation are usually stricter than for keeping a permit — see the citizenship rules for the UK, the US, Canada and Australia.
FlySee counts days; it doesn’t give immigration advice. Whether you keep a permit is for you and your adviser. FlySee’s Log records every day you’re abroad and exports your trips with dates.