A return authorization is a document that allows a foreign person, in the process of renewing his or her residency in Spain, to travel abroad and return legally.

When a person is in the process of renewing their period of residency in Spain, and for some reason has to travel to their country of origin, he or she may sometimes need to request a return authorization, to be able to leave and return to Spain.

The most common reasons why you may need a return authorization are:

• You are in the process of renewing or extending your residency in Spain
• You have requested a duplicate of a valid foreigner card (NIE) which has been stolen, lost or damaged.
• You have received an initial authorization of stay, and are in the process of being issued a foreigner‘s identity card (NIE), and need to prove that the trip to your country of origin is due to a personal emergency or exceptional need.

To request a return authorization, you (or an authorized representative) will need to go to a Public Registry, immigration office or police station of the province in which you reside. If your request is accepted, you will need to pay a fee of €10.30 within the next 10 calendar days, before the authorization will be issued. You require Form Model 790 Code 052 if you are applying via an immigration office, or Model 790 Code 012 if you are applying in a police station.

The return authorization is always delivered to the applicant in person, unless he/she is a minor or incapacitated person, in which case a legal representative will be able to receive it on his/her behalf. If you suffer from a temporary illness or other health reason which makes you unable to receive the return authorization, you will need to authorize another party with the power of attorney to receive the document on your behalf.

The return authorization is valid for up to 90 days. During this period, you can leave and enter Spain as many times as necessary.

However, if you have been prohibited from leaving Spain, or have limited rights to free movement, due to involvement in judicial proceedings or an extradition process, you will not be able to obtain the return authorization.

To learn more about the return authorization, we recommend you visit the Immigration portal of the Spanish Employment Ministry.

Duguech & Dip Worldwide Legal Services supplies a complete range of personalized solutions in the immigration field by providing support and advice to businesses and individuals to remain fully compliant with local and international laws.  

Legal Notice: Since legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing on this article should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel. The content on this article is offered only as information and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. You should always consult a suitably qualified lawyer regarding any specific legal problem or matter.

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