As foreign nationals in Spain, it is essential to complete certain administrative procedures to maintain our legal status. This involves not only obtaining a residence permit but also renewing it and ensuring that we continue to meet the requirements established by law.
One of these requirements is continuous residence in Spain. The Immigration Law and its Regulations stipulate that prolonged absences from the country may affect the validity of your residence permit, and could even result in its revocation. For this reason, the Immigration Offices ensure that certain time limits for stays outside Spain are not exceeded when applying for renewals or processing matters related to residency.
To document periods of stay abroad, it is recommended that you obtain the Certificate of Migration History. This document serves as proof of all the times you have left the country and helps verify that you have met the requirement for continuous residence. In addition, this certificate can be useful for those seeking to obtain Spanish citizenship through residence, as in some cases the Ministry of Justice requires it to verify compliance with the legal residency period.
Where can I apply for the Certificate of Migration History?
You must apply for this certificate at your country’s consulate in Spain. This document will list all your entries into and exits from the country. However, not all consulates issue this document. If your consulate does not issue it, you can request a certificate stating that the consulate does not issue this type of document.
It is important to note that you must always apply for this certificate at your country’s consulate in Spain. You cannot apply for it at a police station, an immigration office, or the regional office of the Ministry of Justice.
Dania Leal
Attorney Specializing in Immigration Law
MC Abogados
