Opening a restaurant, bar or café in Andorra: authorisations and realities
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The short answer
For catering and bars, the regime is: a licence or authorisation specific to the activity. The decisive points are: licences, hygiene and recruitment, the legal form (SL) and the steps specific to the activity. A company set up by a non-resident first goes through foreign investment authorisation.
At a glance
| Criterion | Value |
|---|---|
| Regime | Licence or authorisation specific to the activity |
| Common form | SL |
| Point to watch | Licences, hygiene and recruitment |
| Minimum capital of an SL | 3,000 €verified on 09/10/2026 |
| Corporate income tax | 10 %verified on 09/10/2026 |
Who it is for
Restaurateurs, bartenders, live-music cafés, food trucks and resort venues.
What to know before getting started
- An operating licence from the parish is required, with conditions on the premises and their use.
- Health standards apply to the kitchen, storage and labelling.
- The sale of alcohol may require a separate authorisation.
- Recruitment is difficult in high season: plan for housing and attractive conditions.
- Seasonality is strong in a resort: the financial plan must withstand the off-season trough.
The steps specific to this activity
- Validate the use of the premises and the standards.
- Obtain the operating and alcohol licences.
- Incorporate the company and recruit.
Before these steps, a company set up by a non-resident goes through foreign investment authorisation: decision within 2 monthsverified on 09/10/2026, silence meaning refusal. See the incorporation steps.
The cost of an employee
If you hire, the employer contribution to the CASS is 15.5 %verified on 09/10/2026 of gross salary. Simulate your real cost:
Calculate the cost of an employee
Going further
The figures common to every activity
| Topic | Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 10 %verified on 09/10/2026 |
| IGI | General rate of 4.5 %verified on 09/10/2026; below 40,000 €verified on 09/10/2026 of turnover, you are not considered a business operator |
| Minimum capital of an SL | 3,000 €verified on 09/10/2026 |
| Employee at the legal minimum | 1,568.66 €verified on 09/10/2026 gross + 15.5 %verified on 09/10/2026 employer contribution |
| Foreign investment authorisation | Decision within 2 monthsverified on 09/10/2026, silence = refusal |
| Annual accounts | Drawn up within 6 monthsverified on 12/10/2026, filed within 1 monthsverified on 12/10/2026 after approval |
Which residency to carry this activity
Depending on your situation: self-employed residency (stake above 34 %verified on 12/10/2026 in the company and effective management), professional with an international profile if clients are abroad, or the programme for foreign entrepreneurs. The timeline is detailed in the incorporation steps.
Before launching
Have the regime of your activity checked (free, municipal or government licence, regulated profession), along with the premises and the budget: see registered office and the cost simulator.
Work out your own case
Free simulators, built on the official values of this page.
Frequently asked questions
What licence do you need for a restaurant?
An operating licence from the parish, and often an authorisation for alcohol. Conditions vary.
Can foreigners open a restaurant?
Yes, through the foreign investment procedure if it applies to their situation.
Does the season weigh heavily?
Strongly in a resort: financial balance is calculated over the whole year.
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.