I was basing it on what the parent commenter said. I can't really tell if he's in the wrong or you are because, as you said, I haven't looked it up myself.
Even with your version my fairness argument stands. How is it fair that a Catalan expat isn't allowed to vote, and an Andalusian that might be there just for a few months is? Expats are certainly allowed to vote in General elections.
Ok that's better than if only currently-residing people were allowed to vote. The argument stands for Catalans living elsewhere in Spain.
But I grant that "you're allowed to vote if you can vote in the General elections as a resident of one of the four Catalan provinces" is probably as fair as one can practically get when designing this.
For the record: Spaniards living in Catalonia for at least 6 months can vote. Foreigners can't, like in General or Regional elections.