Will time spent outside the UK break my continuous residence for ILR?

Generally, you must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying years. Short holidays and business trips are fine; long stretches abroad are the risk. Keep your own record of travel dates — it makes the ILR application far easier. There are limited exceptions for serious reasons like illness or certain work postings, but do not rely on them. The precise rules are on GOV.UK and do change.