Frequently asked questions about Andorra: clear, sourced answers
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The short answer
This section gathers the questions most often asked by those considering moving to Andorra. Each answer is short, dated, sourced and links to the full guide.
Can't find your question? Write to us: recurring questions become new pages.
The most frequently asked questions
The answers in this section are short, sourced and link to the full guide. They fall into four groups:
- Settling in: conditions for a French citizen, cost of residency, timescales, tax.
- Property: prices, purchase costs, purchase limit, parish, agency.
- Business and money: SLU, bank account, investments, dissolution.
- Daily life: budget, climate, skiing, internet, schools, safety.
A few benchmarks
The minimum wage is 1,568.66 €verified on 09/10/2026 gross, the average price of an apartment is 4,569.70 €/m²verified on 09/10/2026 per m², IRPF is 10 %verified on 09/10/2026 after an exempt minimum of 24,000 €verified on 09/10/2026, and the general IGI rate is 4.5 %verified on 09/10/2026.
A sourced answer, not an opinion
Each answer states its source and its verification date. When we have no reliable source, we say so instead of inventing a figure.
Buying a car in Andorra: a good idea? Prices, VAT and customs
Buying a car in Andorra can be worthwhile thanks to an indirect tax lower than French VAT, but a vehicle brought into France must clear customs and the real cost depends on your situation. A French resident cannot freely drive a vehicle registered in Andorra in France.
ReadRetirement age in Andorra: conditions for the CASS pension
The ordinary retirement age in Andorra is 65 years, with at least 180 months of CASS contributions (including 12 months in Andorra). Early retirement is possible from 61 years with 480 months of contributions, with a reduction of 7 % per year of early retirement.
ReadAndorra in 10 facts: capital, language, currency, co-princes, parishes
Andorra is a 468 km² state between France and Spain, with Andorra la Vella as its capital. It has seven parishes, two co-princes (the Bishop of Urgell and the President of the French Republic), uses the euro and has Catalan as its official language.
ReadPets in Andorra: identification, vaccines and rules
Pets must be identified and vaccinated, with a passport or suitable document to cross borders. Local rules also govern certain dog breeds and the use of leads.
ReadPros and cons of living in Andorra: the full and honest assessment
Living in Andorra offers mountains, safety, a lighter tax framework for genuine residents and proximity to France and Spain; in return, housing is expensive, the country is small, winters are long and real presence is required.
ReadLiving in Andorra: reviews and first-hand accounts, what comes up most
First-hand accounts agree: people appreciate the nature, the safety and the quality of life, and regret the cost and scarcity of housing, the small size of the country and the winter. This page is an editorial summary, not a collection of testimonials.
ReadProperty viewing checklist in Andorra: 30 points to check
An effective viewing checks the heating and insulation, orientation, parking, co-ownership and running costs, winter access and general condition. In the mountains, these points weigh as much as floor area.
ReadHow much does residency in Andorra cost in 2026? Investment, AFA and fees
Residency without gainful activity first costs an investment of at least 1,000,000 € in Andorran assets (400,000 € via the Fons d'Habitatge), then a non-refundable payment of 50,000 € to the AFA, plus 12,000 € per dependant.
ReadHow to buy a property or a house in Andorra: the steps
Buying in Andorra follows seven steps: budget, search, offer and preliminary contract, authorisation if you are a non-resident, payment of the foreign investment tax, signing at the notary, taking possession. The notary is central: there is no separate public land register.
ReadHow to get to Andorra from France: road, air, train, bus
Andorra has no commercial airport: you arrive by road from France (Ariège, Pyrénées-Orientales) or Spain, often via Toulouse or Barcelona airport, then by car, bus or shuttle.
ReadHow to choose a real estate agency in Andorra: criteria and questions
Check that an agent is licensed, ask for their fees in writing, compare portfolios and make sure they speak your language. A good agency explains the constraints of your case, especially for a non-resident.
ReadHow to Become a Tax Resident in Andorra: Criteria and Steps
Andorran law notably uses a presence of more than 183 days in the calendar year for tax residency. You must first be an administrative resident, then be able to prove your presence, and leave French tax domicile if you were subject to it.
ReadHow to invest your money in Andorra? Accounts, funds, life insurance, property
You can invest money in Andorra through bank deposits, investment funds, life insurance contracts or property. These same assets count towards residency without gainful activity. A French tax resident must declare accounts opened abroad.
ReadHow to Live Your Retirement in Andorra: Residency, Health, Tax and Budget
A French retiree usually settles with residency without gainful activity, which requires an investment of at least 1,000,000 €. They must arrange health cover, check how their pension is taxed and gauge housing costs before leaving.
ReadBank account in Andorra without being a resident: is it possible?
Some banks accept non-residents, subject to supporting documents and a business relationship. The requirements are stricter than for a resident and vary from one institution to another.
ReadWhat are the conditions for being a resident in Andorra? Statuses and documents
Conditions vary by status: a contract or an activity authorisation for active residency, an investment of at least 1,000,000 € and a non-refundable payment of 50,000 € to the AFA for residency without gainful activity, and a family tie for reunification.
ReadWhat are the conditions for a French person to live in Andorra?
A French person has no automatic right to settle: to live in Andorra, they must obtain a residence permit (active, without gainful activity, international profile, family reunification), with housing, health cover and a clean criminal record. A tourist stay only requires an identity document.
ReadCondominium and service charges in Andorra: what you really pay
In a condominium, the charges cover maintenance of the common areas, often shared heating, the lift and snow clearing. They can weigh heavily and should be requested before any offer or lease signature.
ReadHow long does it take to obtain residency in Andorra? What to allow for
The timeline depends on the status, how complete the file is and the prior authorisations. Verified indicative timeframes are displayed with their date; on top of that comes the time needed to gather the documents, find housing and open an account.
ReadMoving to Andorra: formalities, customs and removal firm
Moving to Andorra means crossing a customs border: a detailed inventory of personal belongings, possible formalities and a removal firm that knows the route. Plan ahead in line with your residency status.
ReadActive or Passive Residency in Andorra: What Is the Difference and Which to Choose?
Active residency rests on a professional activity authorised in Andorra (employee or self-employed); passive residency is for those who do not carry out a gainful activity locally and requires an investment of at least 1,000,000 €. The choice depends on your life plan.
ReadDissolving a Company in Andorra: Procedure, Liquidation and Tax
Dissolution follows a procedure: a decision by the partners, liquidation of assets and liabilities, settlement of debts and deregistration. It has tax and accounting consequences that must be prepared with a gestor.
ReadThe 10 mistakes to avoid when renting a home in Andorra
The most common mistakes are paying before signing, not checking service charges and heating, forgetting the inventory check, neglecting the lease term and not anticipating the needs of the residency file.
ReadCan You Buy Property in Andorra? Residents and Non-Residents
Yes, it is possible. A resident settled for at least three years buys without specific authorisation; a non-resident must obtain prior authorisation, within a limit of one individual dwelling or two apartments, and pays a foreign investment tax of 6 % (first property).
ReadCan You Order Online in Andorra? Delivery, Customs and Alternatives
Yes, but not always simply: Andorra is outside the EU, so parcels go through customs, duties and taxes may be added and not every site delivers. Carriers and parcel-forwarding services get around the problem.
ReadStudying in Andorra: university, courses and student life
Andorra has a national university offering a limited number of courses. Many students then continue in France or Spain. The choice depends on the field of study, the language and the career plan.
ReadShopping in Andorra or in France: prices, customs and permitted quantities
Some products are taxed less in Andorra, but the border is a customs border: the quantities brought into France are limited and checked. Check the allowances in force with French customs.
ReadDo you need to speak Catalan to live or work in Andorra?
No, it is not essential for everyday life: French, Castilian Spanish and English are widely used. Catalan is the official language and remains an asset or a requirement for some jobs, especially public ones.
ReadInternet and phone in Andorra: operator, fibre and roaming
Telecommunications are provided by a national operator. Fibre covers much of the inhabited areas, which makes remote working possible. Roaming with French operators is subject to conditions that you should check before you leave.
ReadIs Andorra a Tax Haven? The Reality in 2026
Andorra has introduced personal income tax, corporate income tax and an indirect tax, and takes part in tax information exchange. It remains less taxed than France, but the term tax haven is misleading for a genuine resident.
ReadIs Andorra a rich country? GDP per capita and the reality of living standards
Yes, judging by GDP per capita: around 54,000 dollars in 2025 according to the World Bank, which puts Andorra among the top 25 countries in the world. But this indicator says nothing about how wealth is distributed or about housing costs.
ReadWhat Is the Best Country to Buy a House? The Criteria for Choosing
There is no universal best country: it all depends on your goal (residence, holidays, yield), your budget and the rules imposed on foreign buyers. Andorra suits those who want to live or stay in the mountains, with strict rules for non-residents.
ReadWhere to Live in Andorra? Which Parish to Choose for Your Profile
For urban life with all services, choose Andorra la Vella or Escaldes-Engordany; for skiing, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana or Ordino; for a residential setting close to Spain and lower advertised prices, Sant Julià de Lòria (4,715.91 €/m² per m² in the Q1 2026).
ReadPas de la Casa or Andorra la Vella: where is property cheaper?
In Q1 2026, the average advertised price of apartments was 5,703.34 €/m² in Encamp, the parish that includes Pas de la Casa, against 8,761.90 €/m² in Andorra la Vella. Pas de la Casa has no public statistics of its own: these values are parish averages.
ReadCan you rent a home in Andorra before having residency?
Yes: renting is not conditional on first obtaining residency. A valid lease also serves as proof of housing in the residency file. The landlord may, however, ask for additional guarantees.
ReadWhat is worth buying in Andorra? Profitable properties and those to avoid
The property worth buying depends on your goal: a well-located apartment to live in, a long-term rental property for a steady yield. Tourist apartments are prohibited for foreign investors, and non-residents are limited to one individual home or two apartments.
ReadHow much to bring back from Andorra per person: tobacco, alcohol, perfume, fuel
On returning from Andorra, a traveller aged 17 and over can bring into France 300 cigarettes, 1.5 L of drinks over 22° and 5 L of still wine, plus 900 € of other goods. Allowances cannot be pooled between travellers.
ReadWhat to do in Andorra in summer: hiking, mountain biking, spa and culture
Summer is the season for hiking, mountain biking, climbing, high-altitude lakes, thermal wellness and discovering Romanesque heritage. All of these activities are accessible to residents all year round.
ReadWhat should you buy in Pas de la Casa? Bargains, customs limits and pitfalls
In Pas de la Casa, the purchases that can be worth it are those taxed more lightly than in France: tobacco, alcohol, perfume, some sports and electronics items. Each product is limited by customs allowances: 900 € of other goods per adult.
ReadWhat monthly budget to live in Andorra? The method to work it out
There is no reliable standard budget: housing makes the total vary by a factor of two. The right method is to fix the rent or loan, add the fixed costs, estimate the variable ones and plan a settling-in fund.
ReadWhat is the climate in Andorra? Winters, summers, snow and seasons
Andorra has a mountain climate: cold, snowy winters, mild summers with possible thunderstorms, and strong variations with altitude. The lower parishes are milder than the ski resorts.
ReadWhat Is the Crime Level in Andorra? 2025 Security Data
Andorra is generally considered a safe country: about 4,000 offences were reported in 2025, a slight decrease, with few violent crimes. Fraud and domestic violence are rising, and a large share of cases involve driving under the influence.
ReadWhat is the price of an apartment in Andorra? Calculation method and benchmarks
The price of an apartment is calculated by multiplying its floor area by a price per m²: the transaction average was 4,569.70 €/m² in the 2nd quarter of 2026, but differences between parishes and between properties are significant.
ReadWhat is the price of property in Andorra? 2026 figures by parish
In Andorra, an apartment sold for 4,569.70 €/m² on average in the 2nd quarter of 2026 according to official transaction statistics. Listings show higher prices (7,839.97 €/m² on average in Q1 2026): these are two different measures.
ReadWhat salary do you need to live in Andorra? How to work out your own
There is no single salary: it all depends on housing. The gross minimum wage is 1,568.66 € per month; beyond that, you work out your disposable income by deducting rent, charges and fixed expenses from your net pay.
ReadWhat is the official language of Andorra? Catalan, French, Spanish
Andorra's official language is Catalan, under Article 2 of the Constitution. Spanish, French and Portuguese are widely spoken, and English is common in tourism and business.
ReadWhat is the purchase limit in Andorra? Property and goods
For property, a non-resident may acquire only one individual home or two apartments (or studios) with annexes, and at most six parking spaces (Llei 5/2025, art. 9). For goods, the limit applies at customs: see the allowances per traveller.
ReadWhat currency is used in Andorra? The euro, since when and why
The currency used in Andorra is the euro. Andorra is not a member of the European Union, but a monetary agreement with the EU allows it to mint euro coins, without issuing banknotes.
ReadWhat is the VAT in Andorra? The IGI: standard, reduced and increased rates
Andorra has no VAT: its indirect tax is called the IGI. The standard rate is 4.5 %, the reduced rate 1 %, the super-reduced rate 0 % and the increased rate 9.5 % for banking and financial services.
ReadWhat Taxes Do You Pay in Andorra? IRPF, Corporate Income Tax, IGI, Property
In Andorra, a resident mainly pays IRPF at a rate of 10 % (after a tax-free minimum), companies pay 10 % tax on profits and the indirect tax (IGI) is 4.5 %. Non-residents also pay a tax on foreign real estate investment.
ReadWhat are the advantages of living in Andorra? What really attracts people
The most often cited advantages are quality of life in the mountains, safety, the human scale of the country, a lighter tax framework than in France for genuine residents, proximity to France and Spain and direct access to mountain sports.
ReadWhat Are the Costs of Buying Property in Andorra? Taxes and Notary
On top of the purchase price come the property transfer tax (or IGI for a new build), notary and registration fees, possibly agency fees and, for a non-resident, a foreign investment tax of 6 % for a first property.
ReadWhat are notary fees in Andorra when buying property?
Andorran notary fees are governed by the notary law (Llei 11/2017) and depend on the price and the deed; the notary also collects taxes linked to the sale. No simple official tariff could be confirmed: ask for an estimated statement before the preliminary contract.
ReadWhat are the drawbacks of living in Andorra? An honest assessment
The main drawbacks are the cost and scarcity of housing, the size of the country (less choice in specialised services), long winters, a sometimes narrow social life and car dependence outside the centre.
ReadSocial life in Andorra: meeting people, associations and networks
Social life revolves around sports clubs, associations, schools and professional networks. As the country is small, getting involved locally quickly builds connections, including with the French-speaking community.
ReadLiving in Andorra without a car: buses, walking and limits
In the central urban area, you can live without a car thanks to buses and nearby shops. In the valleys, and for trips to the ski resorts or the border, a car remains very practical.
ReadSafety in Andorra: crime, emergencies and good practice
Andorra is known for its low level of crime. The main risks are those of the mountains (weather, avalanches, sporting accidents). Knowing the emergency numbers and equipping yourself properly remains essential.
ReadSkiing in Andorra: the main ski areas, the season and the budget
Skiing is organised around two main areas: one in the east (Canillo and Encamp) and the other in the north-west (La Massana and Ordino). Choosing your parish according to the ski area you use is an everyday-life criterion.
ReadSLU in Andorra: is a single shareholder enough? Rules and pitfalls
Yes, an SLU can be held by a single shareholder. It offers simple governance for a solo entrepreneur, with its own minimum capital. It nevertheless requires genuine activity and accounting obligations like any company.
ReadMinimum wage in Andorra: gross and net amount in 2026
The Andorran national minimum wage is 1,568.66 € gross per month since 1 July 2026, or about 1,466.70 € after the employee CASS contribution (6.5 %), before tax. It is set by decree of the Govern.
ReadCan you live in Andorra and work for France?
It is possible in certain set-ups, but it raises questions of employment contract, social protection, taxation and tax residence. Activity carried out in France may maintain a tax link with France.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I ask a question that is not on the list?
Write to us: recurring questions become new pages, with their sources.
Do the answers amount to legal advice?
No. They inform on the basis of official texts; for your own case, have it checked by a professional.
Going further
Official sources
This information is general and is not personalised legal, tax or financial advice. It is verified as of the date shown and may change.