Andorra – Residency

What residency options exist for foreign nationals in Andorra?

Andorra makes available several distinct pathways to legal residency: employee residence (for those holding a work contract with an Andorran employer), passive residence (for individuals with sufficient financial resources or who intend to invest), a digital nomad permit (for remote workers whose clients and employers are based outside Andorra), family reunification (for spouses, children, and in certain circumstances other relatives of existing permit holders), and residence for medical reasons (where specialised treatment or placement in a geriatric facility is necessary).

Active Residency — Self-Employed

In Catalan this is referred to as residència per compte propi, and it entitles the holder to live in Andorra while operating within their own corporate structure. The route usually begins with the formation of a local company — typically a Societat Limitada (SL) — and once that entity has been duly registered and the applicant appointed to its administrative body, the self-employed residence permit can be sought. Two fundamental conditions apply: the applicant must own more than 34% of the company’s share capital and hold a position within its governing body.

A deposit of €50,000 must be lodged with the Andorran Financial Authority (AFA) on a non-interest-bearing basis, and the permit holder must genuinely reside in Andorra for a minimum of 183 days each year. This payment is non-refundable as of 2026, and prospective applicants are strongly advised to confirm the prevailing requirements directly with the immigration authority before proceeding.

Active Residency — Employed

The duration of this permit is linked to the type of employment contract in place — it may be temporary or open-ended — and the holder must also spend at least 183 days per year in Andorra. Required documentation includes an employment contract issued by the Andorran company, a curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant education and experience, evidence of professional qualifications, and a signed sworn statement outlining a training plan.

Andorra operates a quota-based immigration system, and employers are required to give priority to Andorran nationals and established residents before recruiting from abroad. As a result, the number of new employed-resident permits granted in any given year is subject to a firm cap.

Passive Residency — By Investment

Andorra’s passive residency permits individuals to live in the country without engaging in any local employment or business activity, subject to a minimum physical presence of 90 days per year. Since January 2026, in accordance with the Llei de continuïtat i consolidació de les mesures per al creixement sostenible, passive residents are required to invest at least €1,000,000 in Andorran assets — which may include real estate, financial instruments issued within Andorra, shares in Andorran companies, or collective investment funds governed by Andorran law. Where the investment is directed into property, the minimum value per individual property is €800,000. Given how significantly these thresholds have shifted in recent years, it is essential to consult the official government source for the most current figures.

A non-refundable payment of €50,000 to the AFA is also required, together with an additional €12,000 for each dependant. This sum is only returned in the event that the initial immigration authorisation is rejected. Applicants must also demonstrate adequate income — at least 300% of the Andorran minimum wage per annum (approximately €54,912 in 2026, based on a monthly minimum wage of €1,525.33), plus a further 100% for each dependant.

Passive Residency — Professionals with International Projection

This category does not require the standard minimum investment of €600,000, but does call for the establishment or acquisition of an Andorran company that conducts at least 85% of its operations outside the Principality. Newly established companies must provide evidence of commercial viability and demonstrate that the business will generate sufficient financial resources to support the permit holder and any dependants.

Passive Residency — Scientific, Cultural, or Sporting Interest

Those who have achieved notable international recognition in the fields of culture, sport, or science may qualify for the Residència per raons d’interès científic, cultural i esportiu programme. This route is specifically designed to attract individuals whose expertise and standing can enrich Andorra’s cultural and social environment. Applicants must substantiate their achievements through evidence such as awards received, publications, or recognised public performances.

This category also does not carry a mandatory minimum investment, provided that the applicant can demonstrate professional standing and justify their income from the relevant field. A non-interest-bearing deposit of €47,500 must be placed with the AFA, with an additional €9,500 for each accompanying family member.

Digital Nomad Residency

Holders of a digital nomad permit are prohibited from providing services to Andorran companies, and this visa is widely regarded as one of the most difficult categories to obtain. A Category B (Digital Entrepreneur) option exists, though it presents considerable complications — particularly at the point of renewal. Anyone contemplating this route should first consult the official immigration department and obtain specialist legal advice before taking any steps.

Family Reunification

Close relatives of an existing Andorran resident — including a spouse, children, and dependent adults — are eligible to apply for residency through the family reunification pathway. Dependants may be included within the main applicant’s submission simultaneously, or may be added at any subsequent point following approval of the primary permit holder, subject to the rules of the relevant residency category.

How does temporary residency function in Andorra, and what is the path to permanent status?

All residency in Andorra begins on a temporary footing and advances through a structured system of renewals. Rather than granting a single multi-year permit leading directly to permanent status — as some countries do — Andorra uses a progressive ladder in which permit validity increases at each renewal stage, provided the holder continues to meet all applicable criteria.

For active self-employed residents, the residence card is initially valid for one year and is then renewed three times in two-year intervals. Following seven years of residency, renewals are issued for ten-year periods. The holder must demonstrate at every renewal point that they continue to satisfy the requirements of the permit.

For passive residents, the first authorisation covers a period of two years. The initial renewal adds a further two years, and the subsequent renewal extends the permit by three years — with the exception of nationals of Portugal, Spain, France, and countries that have signed and ratified a bilateral agreement with the Principality of Andorra.

For self-employed active residents who have been legally present in Andorra for at least seven years, it becomes possible to secure a long-term resident status backed by a ten-year card. While this is broadly comparable to what many jurisdictions call permanent residency, within Andorra it remains formally a renewable permit rather than an unconditional grant of status.

Active residency holders are obliged to be physically present in Andorra for no fewer than 183 days each year. Compliance with this requirement may be checked at any time — and especially during renewals — with police authorities sometimes approaching neighbours to verify whether the applicant genuinely lives at the registered address. This is considerably more rigorous than in some other countries where physical presence is declared rather than independently verified.

Passive residence permits require a minimum physical presence of 90 days per calendar year — a substantially lower threshold than active residency, which makes this route appealing to those who retain strong commitments abroad but wish to establish legal residence in the Principality.

Switching between categories is possible once a permit has been granted, but only in strict accordance with immigration regulations. A change from active to passive residency — or the reverse — is now treated as an entirely new application, and the accumulated years of residency are reset to the year in which the new application is made rather than carrying over from the original permit. This is a critical point for anyone considering a mid-course change of category.

What is the process for applying for residency in Andorra?

Initiating a residency application in Andorra is comparatively straightforward, as there is no requirement to obtain a visa in advance — the entire process takes place within Andorra’s own territory. Entry to the country requires only a valid passport or national identity card, since Andorra does not impose visa requirements on visitors. However, because Andorra can only be reached via France or Spain — both of which are Schengen Area members — applicants must comply with Schengen entry regulations in order to reach the border.

The following steps describe the typical residency application process. Processing times and fee structures change from time to time, so always verify the most current information at the official Government of Andorra website before beginning.

1. Select your residency category. Determine whether you will apply under an active (employed or self-employed) or passive residency category, taking into account your professional circumstances and financial profile. Self-employed applicants must first establish an Andorran company, request authorisation for foreign investment if not yet a resident, and obtain a tax registry number (NRT) for the newly incorporated entity.
2. Arrange accommodation. Prior to submitting an application, you must either own property in Andorra or hold a valid long-term tenancy agreement.
3. Assemble your documentation. Prepare a complete dossier of all required documents (see the documents section below). Every application must be fully complete from the outset. Should any certificate prove to be incorrect, there is a ten-day window in which to supply a corrected version — failing that, the application will be cancelled and an entirely fresh set of documents will be required.
4. Make the government deposit. Transfer the required sum to the AFA unless a professional exemption applies to your category. For self-employed active residents this stands at €50,000 as of 2026. The deposit and investment requirements for passive residency are substantially higher — verify the current figures with the official immigration authority.
5. Submit your application in person. All applications must be lodged in person at the immigration office in Andorra la Vella, where officials will check the application for completeness and accuracy at the point of submission.
6. Complete a medical examination. The residency process includes a mandatory medical examination. Once completed, the results must be provided to the immigration authorities as part of the approval procedure.
7. Allow time for processing. Standard applications are generally processed within four to six weeks, during which the Andorran Immigration Department carries out background checks, verifies the information submitted, and assesses the applicant’s financial standing. If further information is needed, the applicant will be contacted. Where a business plan is involved — such as in self-employed active residency — the review may extend to one to three months, as several government departments scrutinise the plan. Once approval is granted, the residency card is typically issued within three to six weeks.
8. Collect your residency card. Upon approval, you will be formally notified by the immigration authorities and must collect your residency card in person at the immigration office.
9. Register with your local commune (comú). Following receipt of your card, you are required to register with the municipal authority responsible for your area of residence. Further details are provided in the registration section below.

Processing timescales and fee schedules are subject to revision. Always check the Andorra Immigration Department for the latest official guidance before commencing your application.

Which documents are required when applying for residency in Andorra?

The precise list of documents varies according to the chosen residency category, but the items below are commonly required across most application types. Always consult the official immigration authority’s website for the definitive, up-to-date checklist applicable to your specific category.

• Valid passport or national identity document: Original and photocopy of a valid passport, or — for nationals of EEA or EU member states — original and photocopy of a valid national identity card.
• Criminal record certificates: A certificate of criminal records from your country of origin and from every country in which you have previously been resident. Police certificates from any third country must be entirely free of any criminal record.
• Recent passport photograph: A colour photograph measuring 35 x 45 mm, taken within the six months preceding the application date.
• Evidence of accommodation: A copy of a tenancy agreement, property title deed, or another official document confirming your place of residence in Andorra.
• Medical examination certificate: A certificate issued by the Andorran immigration doctor confirming the absence of any major health condition that would preclude residency.
• Proof of financial resources: Documentation of eligible annual income amounting to at least 300% of the Andorran minimum wage for the principal applicant, plus 100% per dependant. For passive residency, documentary proof of the required investment in Andorran assets must also be included.
• Health insurance: Evidence of valid health insurance coverage in Andorra. Active residents ordinarily enrol in CASS (the Andorran social security system), while passive residents are required to maintain private health insurance that is valid within Andorra.
• Civil status documents: If unmarried, an official certificate or signed affidavit confirming marital status; a marriage certificate where applicable; and birth certificates for any children where applicable.
• Curriculum vitae and professional qualifications: A CV together with originals and copies of diplomas or other documentation certifying professional credentials — particularly relevant for self-employed active residency applications.
• Proof of AFA deposit payment: A document confirming that the required deposit has been paid to the Government of Andorra.

Documents originating from abroad will generally require an Apostille certification under the Hague Convention and may need to be accompanied by a certified translation into Catalan, Spanish, or French. Requirements are subject to change — always confirm the complete checklist and any legalisation or translation requirements with the Andorra Immigration Department before submitting your application.

Are there registration obligations with government authorities after arriving in Andorra?

Yes. Once a residence permit has been granted and the card issued, you are legally required to complete local registration. This involves two principal steps: registration within the national immigration system — which is addressed through the permit application itself — and registration with the relevant local commune.

Following approval by the Department of Immigration and receipt of your residence card, you must register with the Comú (the commune or municipal authority) of your parish of residence and obtain an official certificate confirming that residence. Andorra is divided into seven parishes (parròquies), each administered by its own Comú, and local registration is a statutory requirement for all residents.

Once registered with your commune, you will also be expected to meet local tax obligations for your area of residence. Communal taxes are generally modest but constitute an ongoing duty that comes with holding resident status.

Active residents are additionally required to enrol with CASS — the Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social, Andorra’s social security and healthcare body. Holding an active residency permit brings with it a legal obligation to contribute to CASS, and failing to register can result in financial penalties and may put the renewal of your permit at risk.

Passive residents are not enrolled in CASS and must instead keep valid private health insurance in place throughout the entire duration of their permit. Allowing coverage to lapse can constitute grounds for the permit not being renewed.

Should you relocate within Andorra, you are expected to update your registration with the appropriate Comú without delay. Inaccurate or outdated address records can create difficulties at renewal time and with other administrative matters.

What rights and limitations apply to Andorran residents?

Residency in Andorra confers a range of meaningful entitlements, yet there are also important constraints to be aware of — particularly in relation to employment, access to healthcare, and the eventual path to citizenship.

Right to Work

An active residency permit allows the holder to live and work in Andorra, subject to the condition of residing effectively within the Principality for more than half the year — that is, a minimum of 183 days. A passive residence permit, by contrast, authorises the holder to live in Andorra but expressly prohibits any form of local employment or business activity. Passive residency and work activity within Andorra are wholly incompatible: a passive resident who received a job offer from an Andorran company would be required to cancel their existing permit and apply afresh for active residency.

Healthcare

Active residents contribute to CASS, the social security fund, and in return gain access to healthcare coverage that typically reimburses between 75% and 100% of medical costs, including prescriptions. Hospital expenses are covered at up to 90%, while other medical costs receive 75% reimbursement for the permit holder and their dependants. Injuries arising in the workplace and childbirth are covered in full at 100%.

Passive residents must arrange and maintain private health insurance at their own expense. Unlike the publicly funded systems found across much of Europe — such as France’s Sécurité Sociale or Spain’s INSS — passive residents in Andorra receive no entitlement to state healthcare and are entirely dependent on private provision.

Education

Children of residents have access to all three of Andorra’s publicly funded school systems operating within the Principality — Andorran, French, and Spanish. There is a significant long-term incentive to enrolling children in these schools: completing compulsory education in Andorra reduces the residency period required for citizenship eligibility from 20 years to 10 years.

Travel

A passive residence permit grants the holder freedom of movement not only within Andorra but also across Spain, France, and Portugal, regardless of the passport held. Although Andorra is not itself a Schengen Area member, its open-border arrangements with Spain and France allow residents to travel freely to and from both countries — a particularly valuable benefit for those who were previously subject to Schengen short-stay limits.

Tax Residency

Obtaining an Andorran residence permit does not in itself make you a tax resident. Tax residency is established when you spend more than 183 days in Andorra within a calendar year, or when your primary personal and economic interests are centred there. The standard personal income tax rate is 10%. Annual income up to €24,000 is entirely exempt from tax, while income falling between €24,000 and €40,000 is taxed at 5% — rates that are markedly lower than those found in the majority of European countries.

Citizenship Eligibility

A resident may eventually apply for Andorran citizenship provided they renounce any other nationality they hold and satisfy the following conditions: a minimum of 20 years of continuous residency under the standard naturalisation route; a reduced term of 10 years where compulsory education was completed in Andorra; or 3 years for the spouse of an Andorran citizen.

Citizenship applicants must also sit and pass examinations in the Catalan language and in Andorran history, and are required to furnish proof of uninterrupted residence, genuine integration into Andorran society, and participation in community life.

Dual citizenship is not permitted in Andorra. Acquiring Andorran citizenship requires the formal renunciation of any previous nationality. This is a weighty consideration that anyone pursuing the residency-to-citizenship pathway must evaluate carefully, particularly those from countries where multiple citizenships are recognised or encouraged.

Where can you find trustworthy, current information on Andorran residency?

Andorra’s residency framework has undergone notable changes in recent years — most significantly in the area of passive residency investment thresholds, which were substantially revised in January 2026. Relying solely on third-party summaries carries real risk, as these may not reflect the latest legislative position. Always go directly to official sources.

• Government of Andorra — Official Portal: www.govern.ad — the principal government website covering immigration, taxation, and public services.
• Andorra Immigration Department (Departament d’Immigració): www.govern.ad/immigracio — the primary authority for all residency applications, permit renewals, and changes of category. This should be your first point of reference for current document requirements, applicable fees, and processing times.
• Andorran Financial Authority (AFA): www.afa.ad — relevant to the deposit obligations that apply across multiple residency categories.
• CASS — Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social: www.cass.ad — the social security body responsible for healthcare enrolment and contribution schedules for active residents.
• Official Gazette of Andorra (BOPA — Butlletí Oficial del Principat d’Andorra): www.bopa.ad — the authoritative source for all enacted legislation, including any amendments to immigration law.
• Embassy or Consulate of Andorra: If you are based abroad and require guidance on entering Andorra for residency purposes or on Schengen visa requirements, contact the nearest Andorran diplomatic representation, or the embassy of Spain or France in your country of residence.

Because Andorra’s immigration legislation continues to evolve — with significant reforms introduced in early 2026 — it is essential to confirm all current requirements directly with the Departament d’Immigració or a qualified Andorran immigration lawyer before initiating any application. Do not rely solely on figures quoted in third-party articles, including this one, for fees or investment thresholds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the entire residency application process take in Andorra?

For most residency categories, the processing period runs between four and six weeks, during which the Andorran Immigration Department performs background checks, verifies the documentation provided, and reviews the applicant’s financial standing. Where an application for self-employed active residency involves a business plan, the process may extend to between one and three months, as the plan is examined by multiple government departments. The residency card itself is typically issued within three to six weeks of the approval decision being reached.

Can family members be included in a residency application?

Yes. Most of Andorra’s residency programmes allow dependent family members — such as a spouse and children — to be covered under the same permit, simplifying the process of relocating an entire household. Dependants may be added to the application at the same time as the main applicant, or included at any later date following approval of the primary permit holder, subject to the rules of the particular residency category. Additional deposits are payable for each dependant.

What happens if a residency application is refused?

The payment made to the AFA is only returned if the initial immigration authorisation is denied. Where an application is rejected on substantive grounds, the applicant may reapply, but will be required to compile an entirely new and complete set of documentation. It is strongly recommended to seek advice from a qualified Andorran immigration lawyer before resubmitting, in order to address the reasons that led to the original refusal.

Can residency in Andorra be lost through extended absence?

Yes. A lack of genuine business activity or an adverse report from the police can lead the immigration department to withdraw a permit or decline to renew it — a consequence that would simultaneously result in the loss of tax residency. Active residents must satisfy the 183-day minimum presence requirement each year, while passive residents must achieve the 90-day threshold per calendar year. Renewing a passive residence permit is contingent upon the holder having continued to fulfil all conditions and having physically resided in Andorra for at least 90 days within the relevant calendar year.

How does residency in Andorra relate to tax obligations?

Tax residency is determined by your actual circumstances and connection to Andorra, not simply by possession of a residence permit. Under Andorran law, an individual is considered tax-resident when they spend more than 183 days in Andorra within a given calendar year. Tax residents are liable to personal income tax on their worldwide income. Non-residents are taxed exclusively on income derived from Andorran sources. Passive residents spending fewer than 183 days in Andorra may hold a valid residence permit without being classed as tax-resident — but this has significant implications for their tax position in their country of origin.

Is there a quota or cap on the number of residency permits issued each year?

Employed active residency is subject to a quota system administered by the Government of Andorra, and a restricted number of self-employed active residency permits are likewise made available each year. Passive residency categories do not operate under an equivalent numerical quota, but the substantial investment thresholds introduced in January 2026 effectively restrict the pool of eligible applicants in practice.

Does Andorra allow dual citizenship?

No. Andorra does not recognise dual citizenship. Anyone applying for Andorran citizenship must formally renounce their existing nationality before an Andorran passport is issued. This is a significant long-term consideration for anyone following the residency-to-citizenship pathway, and marks a meaningful distinction from countries that permit or actively facilitate multiple citizenships.

Is there a language requirement for obtaining residency in Andorra?

There is no language requirement at the residency application stage, which means the process is accessible to foreign nationals irrespective of their linguistic background. That said, a working knowledge of Catalan can prove helpful for everyday integration into Andorran life. A Catalan language examination is, however, required at the citizenship stage — so those who plan to pursue naturalisation in the long term would be well advised to begin language learning early in their period of residence.