Opening a shop in Andorra: licence, premises, IGI and customers

At a glance

Who it is for

Shopkeepers in fashion, sports equipment, cosmetics, gastronomy or home decor aiming at the local and tourist customer base.

What to know before getting started

• The premises are a major cost item: location, commercial lease and fit-out costs determine profitability.
• A communal licence is generally required to open to the public, depending on the parish and the activity.
• The customer base combines residents, cross-border workers and tourists: flows vary strongly with the season.
• Cross-border trade is sensitive to customers' customs allowances: see the customs tool.
• Employees increase the burden through employer contributions.

The formalities specific to this activity

1. Look for the premises and negotiate the lease.
2. Obtain the parish licence.
3. Register for IGI and with the CASS.

Before these formalities, 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 20 activities reviewed
• Choosing your legal form
• Residency linked to the activity

Figures common to every activity

Which residency to carry out 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 international projection if the customers are abroad, or the programme for foreign entrepreneurs. The timeline is detailed in the incorporation steps.

Before launching

Have the regime of your activity (free, communal or government licence, regulated profession), the premises and the budget validated: see registered office and the cost simulator.