Time absence: EU settled status applying for British citizenship

[Potatopotata1]

Dear forum members,

I hope somebody can help with my question on permitted time spent outside of UK in order to stay eligible for British citizenship application following settled status under the EU settlement scheme.

I have obtained EU settled status (IRL) in January 2024, but have since left for Germany to start a new job. My goal is to move back to the UK in one year.
I am aware that you are normally eligible to apply for British citizenship 12 months after obtaining settled status, with maximum of 90 days spent abroad in the 12 months prior to application and a maximum of 450 days outside the UK in total in the past 5 years.

Do you know if I am still eligible to apply for British citizenship once I return to the UK in one year and live there for 12 months? Or do I have to build up another 5 years of continuous residence to become eligible again?

Many thanks for your help and advice in advance!

Best,

[contorted_svy]

If you come back and your absences are below 90 days in the last 12 months and below 450 days in the whole qualifying period, that will be OK. Please note that if you intend to stay employed in Germany that won't look too good on your application, so make sure that you fulfil the future intentions requirement and move your tax residence back to the UK.

[Potatopotata1]

If you come back and your absences are below 90 days in the last 12 months and below 450 days in the whole qualifying period, that will be OK. Please note that if you intend to stay employed in Germany that won't look too good on your application, so make sure that you fulfil the future intentions requirement and move your tax residence back to the UK.

Thank you so much for your quick reply!
I would have a follow up question, what exactly does qualifying period refer to? Is it the period of 5 years continuous residence that led to settled status or is it the 5 years prior to application to British citizenship?

Best,

[meself2]

5 years prior to application for naturalization.