Citizenship days calculator
To naturalise as a British citizen you must keep your time outside the UK under the limits for your qualifying period — and under a tighter cap in the final 12 months. Add your trips and your application date to check both at once.
- 450 days max over 5 years
- 90 days max in the final year
- Spouse route: 270 over 3 years
Checked against current gov.uk rules · 2026-06-10
Add your trips outside the UK
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No more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5 years before you apply, and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months.
The qualifying period is counted backwards from this date. Use your expected application date.
Your trips outside the UK
0 countedFor guidance only — the Home Office decides.
This tool counts only the whole days you enter (your travel days don't count). It doesn't account for exempt or discretionary absences, and rules can change. Always check the official gov.uk guidance and your own circumstances before applying.
Rules checked: 2026-06-09Official gov.uk rules
How the absence limits work
On the standard 5-year route you must not have more than 450 days outside the UK across the 5 years before you apply (270 days over 3 years if you're the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen), plus no more than 90 days in the final 12 months. Only whole days count — the days you leave and return are not counted. Going over isn't always an automatic refusal: the Home Office can use discretion, but you should be ready to explain. Treat this as a planning guide and confirm against gov.uk.
Also required
Heading for ILR or citizenship?
You'll also need to pass the Life in the UK test. Practise in your own language.
Next on your journey
ILR absence calculator
Check the 180-days-per-rolling-12-months rule before you apply for settlement.