Answer
If your cédula was issued for three years, it must be replaced when it expires, even if you do not live permanently in Uruguay. An expired card creates problems with banks, healthcare, services, and identity verification.
The expiration of the physical card does not always mean an automatic loss of immigration status. Residence and a cédula are different things: the immigration authority administers the status, while the card is an identity document with its own expiry date.
Before replacing it, you need valid documentation for the DNIC: a decision, certificate, or electronic confirmation visible in the system. Do not wait until the last day, especially if booking an appointment, updating data, or synchronization between authorities take time.