Andorra – Visas

Do I need a visa to move to Andorra?

The Andorran authorities impose no visa requirements on visitors whatsoever; a passport or a European Union national identity card is all that is needed to enter the country. This makes Andorra one of Europe’s most accessible destinations — no advance permission, no visa sticker, and no application process is required simply to set foot across the border.

Because the country can only be reached via the Schengen nations of France or Spain, it is impossible to arrive in Andorra without first entering the Schengen Area. The practical effect is that Schengen visa rules apply by default: if your nationality requires a Schengen visa to enter France or Spain, you will need one in order to reach Andorra.

Citizens of non-EU countries must carry a valid passport and should confirm with the French or Spanish embassy or consulate in their home country whether a Schengen visa is required. Where one is needed, a two-entry or multiple-entry visa should be obtained, depending on your travel itinerary, to ensure you can re-enter the Schengen Area without difficulty after visiting Andorra.

Because Andorra sits outside the Schengen Area, anyone departing Andorra and returning to France or Spain is technically re-entering Schengen territory. A single-entry Schengen visa would be exhausted upon first arrival, effectively preventing re-entry — always confirm the type of visa you hold before you travel.

Under the Schengen Visa Waiver Agreement, visitors may enter Andorra through Spain or France and remain for up to 90 days. Those intending to stay longer must comply with Andorran residency regulations and obtain a formal residence card. It bears emphasising: Andorra does not issue visas. Individuals who wish to live, work, or remain beyond 90 days must pursue a residence permit through the Andorran immigration system — not a visa.

The rules that apply to you will depend on your nationality and travel history. Always confirm your personal situation with the Government of Andorra and the French or Spanish consulate responsible for your country of residence before making any travel arrangements.

What types of visa are available for people moving to Andorra?

Given that Andorra does not operate a visa regime, the correct term for long-term legal status in the country is a residence permit (also referred to as a residency authorisation). Several distinct residency pathways exist for foreign nationals, each designed to reflect different personal and financial profiles. At the broadest level, these divide into active residency — which confers the right to work in Andorra — and passive residency, intended for those who will live in the country without taking up local employment. A residency-by-investment route also exists and is generally treated as a form of passive residency, aimed at high-net-worth individuals making substantial commitments to the Andorran economy.

Active Residency (Employed)
This permit category covers individuals who obtain residency through a job offer from an Andorran employer. The employer is responsible for managing the work permit process, meaning applicants do not need to navigate the full procedure independently. Active employed residents are required to spend a minimum of 183 days per year in Andorra.

Active Residency (Self-Employed)
Known in Catalan as “residència per compte propi”, this permit enables an individual to establish themselves in Andorra as an independent professional — typically by creating or joining an Andorran company and generating income within the country. Content creators, digital professionals, engineers, and consultants who wish to operate from Andorra and benefit from its low tax environment frequently pursue this route. It is among the most popular options for internationally mobile professionals and is broadly analogous to self-employment frameworks elsewhere in Europe, though the specific requirements in Andorra differ considerably.

Passive Residency (Retirement / Investment)
Passive residency is designed for financially self-sufficient individuals — retirees, investors, or others — who intend to live in Andorra without engaging in any local professional activity. Holders of passive residency must spend at least 90 days per year in the country. This category is sometimes informally described as Andorra’s “golden visa”, though that expression carries no official standing. As of January 2026, under the Llei de continuïtat i consolidació de les mesures per al creixement sostenible, passive residents are required to invest a minimum of €1,000,000 in qualifying Andorran assets, which may include real estate, financial instruments, shares in Andorran companies, or collective investment funds.

Digital Nomad Residency
A digital nomad permit is available for remote workers who provide services exclusively to clients or businesses outside Andorra. This is a relatively new category and is considered administratively demanding; holders may not provide services to Andorran clients or companies.

Family Reunification
Family reunification allows spouses, children, and in certain circumstances other relatives of an existing permit holder to reside in Andorra. This is a dependent pathway rather than an independent application and is addressed in greater detail in the family section below.

Residency for Health Reasons
This niche category is available to individuals requiring specialised medical care or placement in a geriatric facility. The vast majority of expatriates will fall under one of the active or passive residency routes rather than this category.

How do I apply for a visa for Andorra?

Since Andorra operates no visa system, all applications for long-term legal status take the form of a residence permit and are handled directly by the Andorran Immigration Department (Servei d’Immigració d’Andorra), which falls under the Ministry of Interior. Andorra maintains no embassies or consulates in most countries, which means the process works quite differently from the visa applications you may have encountered elsewhere.

Applications must be submitted to the Andorran Immigration Department in person, at the immigration office in Andorra la Vella. There is no mechanism to complete the full process from abroad; every applicant must travel to Andorra to hand in their documents and attend a medical examination.

The step-by-step process for most residency applications is as follows:

1. Determine your category. Establish whether you are pursuing active residency (employed or self-employed) or passive residency (investment/retirement). The financial and documentary requirements differ significantly between categories. Consult the Government of Andorra’s official website or a qualified Andorran immigration lawyer before beginning.
2. Prepare your documents. Assemble all required paperwork in your home country — including criminal record certificates, evidence of income, and proof of accommodation (see the documents section below). Where applicable, arrange apostilles, certified translations, medical insurance, and a real estate rental or purchase agreement.
3. Open an Andorran bank account (if required). Before lodging your residency application, you will need foreign investment authorisation and a local bank account, both of which require proof of sufficient funds. This step applies to passive residency applicants and those seeking active self-employed residency.
4. Book an appointment at the Immigration Department. An appointment must be scheduled in advance, as the immigration office does not typically accept walk-in applications.
5. Travel to Andorra and submit your application in person. The applicant attends the immigration office in Andorra and submits all documentation in person. The process generally spans two days: documents are presented on the first day, and an interview takes place on the second.
6. Attend a medical examination. A medical examination administered by the Medical Department of the Immigration Office is mandatory for certain permit types and must be completed during your visit to confirm your state of health.
7. Await the decision. Applications are generally processed within approximately three months. During this period, applicants may return to their country of habitual residence.
8. Collect your residence card. Once your application is approved and you have been notified by the immigration authorities, you must attend the immigration office in person to collect your residence card. You then have 30 days to submit a certificate of residence registration from the Comú (local council) of your place of residence to the Immigration Department.

Given that Andorra has no diplomatic representation in most countries, prospective applicants typically engage a local immigration lawyer or specialist based in Andorra to help prepare their paperwork before travelling for the submission appointment. For US-based applicants requiring consular assistance in the region, the relevant US Consulate General is located in Barcelona, Spain (Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona). The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office directs British nationals to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Andorra (exteriors.ad) for residency-related matters. Always verify current procedures directly with the Government of Andorra.

What documents do I need to apply for a visa for Andorra?

The precise list of required documents varies according to the type of permit being sought, but the following are generally applicable across most residency categories. Documents originating outside Andorra will ordinarily require a Hague Apostille (or equivalent legalisation if the issuing country is not a signatory to the Hague Convention), and any document not written in Catalan, Spanish, or French will typically require a certified translation.

• Valid passport — A current, valid passport is required; EU and EEA citizens may alternatively present their national identity card.
• Criminal record certificates — Police clearance certificates must be provided from your country of origin, your country of nationality, and your country of current residence, confirming an absence of criminal convictions.
• Recent passport photo — A passport-format photograph measuring 35 × 45 mm, taken within the preceding six months.
• Proof of accommodation in Andorra — A property ownership deed or rental agreement meeting minimum habitability standards, or documentation of an ongoing property purchase due to be completed within twelve months.
• Proof of civil status — Relevant documents such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate as applicable.
• Health, disability, and retirement insurance — Evidence of valid coverage for the applicant and any dependants is required, with the exception of children and those over 60, who must hold valid health insurance in Andorra.
• Proof of income — Typically provided by way of a tax return and corresponding bank statements, demonstrating that annual income exceeds 300% of the annual minimum wage, with a further 100% added for each dependant.
• Medical certificate issued in Andorra — Applicants must obtain a medical certificate from the Andorran authorities by attending an in-person examination during their application visit.
• CV and academic or professional documentation — A curriculum vitae together with copies of educational and professional qualifications is generally required for active residency applications.
• Business documentation (active self-employed) — Under the self-employed route, applicants must demonstrate international commercial activity. Acceptable evidence includes prior income and expenditure statements from operations in another country, or a three-year business plan supported by financial projections.
• Investment proof (passive residency) — Documentation evidencing the qualifying investment in Andorran assets is required for passive residency applications.

Active residency applications require documents bearing a Hague Apostille together with certified translations where necessary, and must also satisfy any additional requirements relating to family reunification or employment contracts. Requirements are subject to change, and the list above is indicative only. Consult the official Government of Andorra website or the Servei d’Immigració directly for a definitive and up-to-date document checklist before you begin gathering materials.

How long does a residence permit application for Andorra take to process?

Processing times for Andorran residence permits vary depending on the permit category and the completeness of the application submitted. The following general timeframes are reported as of 2025.

Passive residency applications are generally among the more straightforward to process. Reckoned from the date the process formally begins, applicants can typically expect to receive their passive residence permit within approximately two months. Some sources indicate timelines stretching to four months where due diligence checks are more intensive or where the volume of concurrent applications is higher than usual.

Once the application has been lodged and the medical examination completed, a determination may be reached within three to eight weeks in many cases. However, the full end-to-end timeline — encompassing document preparation, banking arrangements, and travel to Andorra — typically extends the overall process to between two and four months.

For active self-employed residency, the timeline is broadly comparable, though additional steps such as company incorporation and obtaining foreign investment authorisation can lengthen the preparatory phase before the immigration appointment itself.

Every application must be fully complete with all required certificates and documents at the point of submission. If any document is found to be incorrect, the applicant has ten days to supply a corrected version; failure to do so results in the application being cancelled, requiring an entirely fresh set of paperwork to be compiled. Submitting an incomplete application is among the most frequent causes of delay, making careful preparation essential.

Processing times may change without prior notice. Always refer to the official Government of Andorra website for current estimates, and begin your application well ahead of your intended relocation date — ideally four to six months in advance.

How much does it cost to apply for a residence permit in Andorra?

The financial commitments associated with Andorran residency permits are considerable — particularly for the passive residency route — and encompass both government fees and mandatory financial deposits. All figures below are as of 2025–2026 and are subject to change; always consult the official Government of Andorra website for current fee schedules before proceeding.

A non-refundable payment of €50,000 to the Andorran Financial Authority (AFA) — referred to as a fons perdut — is required for active self-employed residency applicants. This sum is not returned upon the expiry or cancellation of the residency; it is reimbursed only in the event that the initial immigration authorisation is refused.

The government fee for the issuance of a first Andorran residence card stands at approximately €2,500 for the main applicant and €500 per family member (as of 2025, subject to change). For passive residency, the processing fee is approximately €1,200, though this may vary depending on individual circumstances. For active residency, the fee for processing work permits or business registration is around €600. Notary fees and health insurance premiums may generate additional costs.

Beyond the official fees, applicants should also factor in the cost of certified document translations and apostilles; legal and immigration advisory fees (Andorran immigration lawyers typically charge several thousand euros for a complete residency application); in-Andorra medical examination fees; compulsory private health insurance for passive residents; and company formation costs for those applying via the active self-employed route. These supplementary costs can be material and should be incorporated into your overall financial planning at the earliest stage.

Can my family members join me in Andorra?

Family reunification is available to spouses, children, and in some circumstances other relatives of a current permit holder. Dependants do not submit independent applications; they are incorporated into the primary applicant’s residency application or added at the time of renewal. All applicants, including any dependant over the age of 16, must be physically present at the immigration office at the time of application.

Each dependant added to the application increases the primary applicant’s financial obligations. The income threshold requires that the main applicant demonstrates earnings exceeding 300% of the Andorran minimum wage, with an additional amount equivalent to 100% of the minimum wage for each dependant included. As of 2024, this translated to a minimum annual income of approximately €49,545 for the primary applicant alone, rising by around €16,515 per additional dependant — though these figures are tied to the annually reviewed minimum wage and should be confirmed against current thresholds on the official government website.

Under the passive residency investment route, the non-refundable AFA payment amounts to €50,000 for the main applicant, with a further €12,000 per dependant (whether spouse or child). This sum is definitive and is not refunded when the residence is eventually cancelled.

Andorra has entered into bilateral residence agreements with Spain, France, and Portugal governing the entry, stay, and residence of nationals from those countries. Under these arrangements, Andorran, Spanish, French, and Portuguese citizens benefit from equal treatment in residency, employment, and professional activities. Family members from these nationalities may find that slightly different procedures apply; individual requirements should always be confirmed with the Servei d’Immigració.

Dependant children are generally entitled to attend Andorra’s trilingual school system, which operates in Catalan, Spanish, and French. Whether a spouse or partner has the right to work locally depends on the specific permit held by the primary applicant — passive residency does not confer the right to take up employment within Andorra. Consult the Government of Andorra for the current rules governing dependant rights.

Can I extend my permit or apply for permanent residence in Andorra?

Andorra’s residency framework is structured around a tiered renewal system. Permits are not granted for an unlimited duration at the outset; instead, they are renewed at progressively longer intervals provided the conditions that underpinned the original grant continue to be satisfied.

The initial residence authorisation is granted for a period of two years. The first renewal is for a further two years, and the second renewal for three years; this pattern continues up to a maximum of ten years, except in the case of nationals of Portugal, Spain, and France, and of countries that have concluded and ratified a bilateral agreement with the Principality of Andorra.

After at least seven years of residence in Andorra, it becomes possible to apply for permanent resident status and obtain a card valid for ten years. Permanent residency confers considerably greater security of tenure, removing the need for frequent renewals.

To renew a residence permit, the original conditions must continue to be strictly fulfilled, and the holder must physically reside in Andorra for a minimum of 90 days per calendar year (for passive residents) or 183 days (for active residents).

Route to citizenship: Individuals who have lived in Andorra on a continuous basis for at least 20 years, or who have held permanent residency for ten years and completed compulsory education within the country, may apply for naturalisation. This period may be shortened to ten years where education was completed in Andorra, or to three years in the case of marriage to an Andorran citizen.

Important restriction on dual nationality: Andorra does not recognise dual citizenship. Acquiring Andorran nationality requires the renunciation of any previous citizenship. This is a significant consideration for anyone contemplating a long-term path to naturalisation and warrants careful thought before committing to this route. Consult the Government of Andorra and seek qualified legal advice for current eligibility criteria.

What are the most common reasons residence permit applications for Andorra are refused?

Although Andorra’s residency system is broadly accommodating, applications can and do get refused. Familiarising yourself with the principal grounds for rejection can significantly improve the quality of your submission.

Incomplete or incorrect documentation. Applications must be entirely complete at the point of submission. If a document is found to be incorrect, the applicant has ten days to provide a satisfactory replacement; failing that, the application is cancelled and an entirely fresh set of papers must be compiled from scratch. Even small discrepancies — such as a name rendered differently across two documents — can trigger this outcome.

Criminal record issues. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a clean criminal record over the preceding five years and must pose no threat to public order, security, public health, or society. Police certificates from any foreign country must be entirely clear of any entries. This can present challenges for individuals from jurisdictions where spent convictions remain on official records.

Insufficient income or investment. Failing to meet the income requirement — set at 300% of the minimum wage for the primary applicant — or the investment threshold for passive residency are frequent grounds for refusal. As of 2024, the annual income floor for passive residency stood at approximately €49,545 for the main applicant alone; current figures should be verified on the official government website.

Failure to demonstrate genuine activity (active residency). Where a company generates very low turnover, the immigration authorities may conclude that no genuine economic activity is being carried out. A negative police report or a demonstrable lack of real business activity may lead to a permit being refused or not renewed.

How to strengthen your application: Engage a qualified Andorran immigration lawyer or accredited specialist from the outset. Ensure all documents have been apostilled and certified-translated where required, that all criminal record certificates are entirely clear, and that income or investment evidence clearly surpasses the applicable minimum thresholds. Submit a complete application as a single coherent package rather than adding documents incrementally.

If your application is refused: You have the right to challenge administrative decisions in Andorra through the standard administrative and judicial review process. Take legal advice promptly, as appeal windows tend to be short. In some cases, submitting a new and strengthened application may prove more practical than pursuing a formal appeal. Consult the Government of Andorra or a qualified immigration lawyer for guidance specific to your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Andorra have its own visa system?

Andorra operates no visa system of its own. Visitors who require a visa to enter France or Spain must hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, since departing Andorra means crossing back into one of those countries. For stays beyond the short-term limit, individuals must apply for a residence permit directly through the Andorran immigration authorities.

Can I visit Andorra as a tourist without any visa?

No visa is required to enter Andorra itself. However, because France or Spain must be transited to reach the Principality, visitors must satisfy the entry requirements of those Schengen countries first. Time spent in Andorra is generally counted against your Schengen Area 90-day allowance.

What is ETIAS and does it affect travel to Andorra?

Andorra does not directly require ETIAS authorisation, as it is a microstate outside the Schengen zone. However, since reaching Andorra necessitates passing through Schengen member states such as France or Spain that will require ETIAS, travellers will need to obtain authorisation before their journey. Check the latest ETIAS implementation timeline on the official EU website, as the launch date has been revised on a number of occasions.

Is there a minimum income requirement for passive residency in Andorra?

Yes. The minimum income for passive residency must exceed 300% of the current annual minimum salary — in 2024 this equated to approximately €49,545 for the primary applicant, with an additional 100% of the minimum wage required for each dependant. As these thresholds are reviewed annually, always verify the current amounts on the Government of Andorra website before applying.

Do I need to speak Catalan to get residency in Andorra?

No language proficiency requirement exists for obtaining residency in Andorra, which simplifies matters for foreign nationals considerably. A working knowledge of Catalan may nonetheless aid day-to-day integration. The country functions in Catalan, Spanish, and French, and official documents are produced in Catalan.

How long do I need to live in Andorra before I can apply for citizenship?

The standard residence requirement for naturalisation is 20 years. This can be reduced to 10 years for those who completed their education in Andorra, or to 3 years for individuals married to an Andorran citizen. It is important to note that Andorra does not permit dual nationality; obtaining Andorran citizenship requires the renunciation of any existing nationality.

Can I work in Andorra if I hold passive residency?

Passive residency does not confer the right to take up local employment or operate a business serving the Andorran market. Passive residents’ income must derive from outside Andorra — through investments, pensions, or business activities conducted in other countries. That said, passive residents may manage their own international business interests or professional activities from within Andorra, provided that the underlying economic activity takes place outside the domestic market.

What happens to my Schengen stay when I am in Andorra?

Time spent in Andorra is generally counted toward your Schengen Area 90-day allowance. Make sure your passport remains valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area, and that you hold all the documentation necessary to re-enter France or Spain when you leave Andorra. If you hold an Andorran residence permit, different rules may apply — contact the Servei d’Immigració for clarification relevant to your specific situation.