As foreign citizens in Spain, it is essential to comply with certain administrative procedures to keep our legal situation in order. It is not only a matter of obtaining residency, but also of renewing it and making sure that we continue to comply with the requirements established by law.
One of these requirements is the continuity of residence in Spanish territory. The Immigration Law and its Regulations establish that prolonged absences from the country may affect the validity of our residence permit, even causing its loss. For this reason, the Foreigners’ Offices supervise that certain limits of time outside Spain are not exceeded at the time of requesting renewals or procedures related to the residence.
In order to prove the periods of stay abroad, it is advisable to obtain the Certificate of Migratory Movements. This document allows us to prove all the departures we have made from the country and helps to verify that we have complied with the requirement of continuous residence. In addition, this certificate can be useful for those seeking to obtain the Spanish nationality by residence, since in some cases the Ministry of Justice requires it to prove the fulfillment of the legal time of residence.
Where to apply for the Certificate of Migratory Movements?
This certificate must be processed at the consulate of your country in Spain. It is in this body where all the entries and exits of the country that you have made will be reflected. However, not all consulates issue this document. If yours does not, you can request a certificate stating that the consulate does not issue this type of document.
It is important to clarify that the management of this certificate must always be done at the consulate of your country in Spain. It is not possible to request it at the Police Station, at the Immigration Offices or at the Territorial Management of the Ministry of Justice.
Dania Leal
Lawyer Expert in Immigration Law
M&CAbogados
