Residency & permit day-count rules by country
Residence permits and settled-status schemes usually come with a hidden clock: stay away too long and you can lose the status you've built up. Some countries cap the total days you can spend outside per year; others limit a single continuous absence; many require a minimum number of days inside to renew or upgrade.
This section explains each country's presence and absence rules for keeping — or qualifying for — residency: how many days you can be away, over what window, and what breaks continuity. Each page links to the official immigration guidance so you can plan trips without jeopardising your status.
Track residency rules automatically
Bounded counts your days for every rule on this page and warns you before you cross a limit.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the permit. Many schemes allow absences of up to six months at a time or 180–270 days per year before continuity breaks; long-term and permanent statuses are often stricter. Each country page lists the specific limit.
Typically a single absence over the allowed maximum, or total absences exceeding the yearly cap, resets the qualifying clock. Some countries also require that you haven't moved your life abroad. The details vary — see the relevant country page.
Often yes — the residence you accumulate toward permanent status or citizenship usually requires staying under absence limits throughout the qualifying period. Days out today can push back your eligibility date.
Explore other rules
For information only. These pages are a plain-English summary of publicly available rules, not tax, legal, or immigration advice. Rules change and depend on your personal circumstances — always confirm with the official source and a qualified professional before acting.