Summer is a time in which many go back to their home countries. They leave Spain for several days or weeks in order to visit their family and friends. But that presents a crucial question. What happens if I am in the middle of an application process or renewal for my residency in Spain? Can I freely leave the country? What should I do?
There is a document that will completely solve that situation. This document is called “autorización de regreso” or authorization to come back to Spain.
Let’s dive deep into this topic.
The authorization to come back to Spain is a document that will allow you to leave and come back to the country once your residency card has expired or is going through a renewal process. It is also called carta de retorno or autorización de regreso, in Spanish.
If you are planning to leave the country (maybe due to your vacations), and your card will expire during that period, you must request the “autorización de regreso”.
This has an important implication. If you are willing to avoid legal problems, don’t travel just with your expired card.
How to leave Spain while applying for your residence card
Furthermore, this document will be also valid in those cases in which you are going through the initial process of your residency application.
If you got your application accepted, and now waiting for the fingerprints appointment or to receive the TIE card, you can leave the country.
You are also allowed to apply for the authorization to come back to Spain and leave the country.
But with a slight distinction. You will have the need to justify why exactly are you leaving the country. And the reasoning behind your departure should be convincing enough.
On the renewal case, by just explaining why you are leaving Spain is enough.
Do you have doubts? Get personalized advice from one of our immigration lawyers:
Required documents for the authorization to come back application
An important piece of advice: plan in advance
The period of the year in which most people request this document is during summer. The months of June, July and August are full of foreigners living in Spain demanding their “autorización de regreso”.
That is why we wanted to give you this piece of advice.
The Spanish Immigration Office will be packed with tons of applications. That is why all the appointments conceded in order to emit this document will enjoy notable delays.
So try to book your appointment way before the date in which you are planning to leave Spain.
Do you really need this paper to return back to Spain?
The truth is that maybe you don’t.
Many times, when the transportation means you will use to travel is not an airplane, you don’t need to request this document.
That is because the National Police issues a letter in which it explicitly announces the lack of need to request an “authorization de regreso” if you travel, for example, by ferry.
In those cases, the document that demonstrates that your residency card is being renewed will be enough (along with the expired card and your passport).
Bear in mind that if you will travel by plane and not during the months of summer, this situation won’t apply to you.
Document valid in Spain, and just in Spain
Let’s take the case, for example, of an individual from South America that is traveling back to his country during summer. During that time, her Spanish residency card will expire.
She had requested an authorization to come back, so won’t have any problem in entering the country once again when her holidays come to an end.
Nevertheless, she finds a flight to Paris that is way cheaper. That is why she considers the option of going first to France, and taking a plane to Spain afterwards.
Is she allowed to do that?
The answer is simple: no. The “autorización de regreso” is valid just in Spain. That is why it won’t be valid in any other country you travel to.
She must buy a direct flight to Spain.
How to get return authorization?
The process to obtain your return authorization is quite straightforward, and can be divided into the following steps:
- Check the requirements. Ensure your residency renewal is in process and that you’re under legal status in Spain
- Gather all documents. Prepare EX-13 form, valid passport, proof of residency renewal, and a copy of your residency card.
- Pay the fee (Model 790, code 012). Make the payment at a bank and keep the receipt.
- Request an appointment at the Immigration Office. Do so on the official portal and select your province. This is the step that may take more time, so make sure to plan in advance.
- Attend the appointment. Bring all documents and submit your application at the Immigration Office.
- Pick up the authorization: In some cases, it’s issued on the same day; if not, check the estimated wait time.
Can I come back to Spain if my return authorization has expired?
As a general rule, no; it’s not possible. Your return authorization will be requested on the border control; hence having a valid document is essential.
Nevertheless, there are a few exemptions.
For example, if your authorization to come back has expired during a state of alarm situation, it’s validity is automatically extended.
Apply for your return authorization now
Do you need help applying for this document?
In case you would like to avoid any possible legal issue when leaving Spain and then coming back, our immigration lawyer team is ready to help you!
Get in touch with our lawyers and let us guide you step by step:
6 Replies to “Authorization to Leave & Return to Spain (“Autorización de Regreso”)”
Comentarle que la autorización de regreso no sirve para viajar dentro de países Schengen, así que no la podría usar.
Para ir a Portugal debería renovar su tarjeta.
Hola soy residente en España pero está caducado mi NYE por el tema de corona virus ,voy a Portugal en agosto ,me gustaría saber si necessito una autorización para regresar a España ?
The authorization of return is not valid to travel to any Schengen country. So, you cannot use it to go to Poland.
Thank you so much for this helpful information! I’m still a bit confused because I have heard so many people that say I must have the autorización de regreso, but in my local Extranjería they told me they can’t give it to me and I don’t need. I went to my appointment to begin the RENEWAL of my TIE a few days ago. The representative was very helpful, thorough, kind. He was great. But when I gave him my application and tasa for my aut. de regreso he insisted that I do not need it. (??) I am a U.S. citizen. I have been in Spain since last September as an English Conversation Asst. with the Ministry of Ed program. I have not left Spain since last September at all. I want to travel to Poland (possibly via Berlin) to visit my Polish families in a week or so, and return directly to Spain at the end of July. I have to get back into Spain because I continue teaching this fall. I have no plans to return to the U.S. for now. I have been told that I DO need the Aut./regreso and also that I don’t… not sure what to do. Could you please enlighten me?
You should contact us to see if you are still in the legal period to ask for the renewal. Write us at [email protected]
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