Everyday life in Andorra: cost of living, healthcare, schools, work
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The short answer
Living in Andorra means a mountain country with high housing costs, light indirect taxation, several languages and compact public services. These guides cover the practical matters to settle before and during the first months.
Everyday topics
- Cost of living: spending items and their particularities.
- Healthcare and insurance: CASS, supplementary insurance.
- Schools: three education systems.
- Vehicle and licence
- Working, salaries, Catalan
- Checklist for the first 90 days
Everyday figures
| Topic | Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Gross minimum wage | 1,568.66 €verified on 09/10/2026 per month |
| Annual inflation | 2.6 %verified on 12/10/2026 in January 2026; 4.8 %verified on 12/10/2026 in August 2026 (advance indicator) |
| Housing | Apartment at 4,569.70 €/m²verified on 09/10/2026 per m² on average transaction |
| Healthcare | Employee CASS contribution of 6.5 %verified on 09/10/2026 |
| Family | Family benefits after 7 yearsverified on 12/10/2026 of residence |
| School | Compulsory and free from 6 yearsverified on 12/10/2026 to 16 yearsverified on 12/10/2026 |
In what order to get organised
- Status and housing.
- Healthcare and insurance.
- Banking.
- School and work.
- Vehicle and formalities: see the 90-day checklist.
Andorra settling-in checklist: the first 90 days, week by week
A successful move falls into three phases: prepare the departure (status, housing, bank, taxation), organise the first week on the spot, then stabilise daily life over the first three months. This checklist sets out the order of the steps.
ReadCouples in Andorra: marriage, stable union, partner and consequences for residency
In Andorra, Llei 30/2022 defines the stable couple union, registered in the register, for two adults who live together; at least one must be Andorran or a resident. The spouse and the member of a stable union can be reunited by a resident. Recognition of the French PACS is not confirmed.
ReadCost of living in Andorra: the spending items to budget for
Housing is by far the biggest spending item in Andorra. Some consumer goods are taxed less than in France, but winter energy, the car and supplementary health cover weigh on the budget. Build your budget item by item rather than relying on an average figure.
ReadMoving to Andorra with your family: the step-by-step checklist
A family move to Andorra is prepared in order: residency and family reunification, housing, school, health, bank, then removal and customs. Start with the residency status, which conditions everything else.
ReadEmployment law in Andorra: contract, probation, leave, notice and dismissal (Llei 31/2018)
Llei 31/2018 sets a probation period of 2 months except in particular cases, a working week of 40 h, 30 days calendar days of leave, and dismissal without cause with notice of 12 days days per year worked and compensation of 25 days days of salary per year.
ReadSchools in Andorra: Andorran, French, Spanish and private systems
Andorra offers several school pathways: the Andorran system, the French system (including the Lycée Comte de Foix), the Spanish system and private schools. The choice depends on language, the child's background and the family's plans.
ReadFamily in Andorra: spouse, dependent children and personal income tax
A family in Andorra benefits from higher exempt minimums for a spouse without income (40,000 €), a deduction per dependent child or ascendant (1,000 €) and a minimum of 30,000 € in case of disability.
ReadPublic holidays in Andorra: legal framework, national and parish holidays, and how to count them
Andorran public holidays follow the working calendar and are paid, with parish holidays set by each Comú. The exact dates for each year are published by the government: check the official calendar before planning payroll.
ReadLegalisation and apostille in Andorra: foreign documents, Andorran documents abroad
Andorra is a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, which abolishes legalisation: a foreign public document must carry an apostille (or be legalised through diplomatic channels if the country is not a party), and Andorran documents intended for use abroad are apostilled at the Servei de Tràmits.
ReadDriving licence in Andorra: exchanging a French licence, timeframes and procedures to check
An agreement on the exchange of driving licences between Andorra and France, signed on 3 August 2005, has been in force since 1 January 2007. The exact documents and timeframes should be confirmed with the competent department before any procedure.
ReadHealthcare in Andorra: CASS, compulsory insurance and supplementary cover
Health cover in Andorra rests on local social security (CASS) for employees and self-employed people, and on private insurance for those who do not contribute to it. Valid cover is required for residency. The level of reimbursement is not equivalent to that of the French system.
ReadWorking in Andorra: Jobs, Salaries and Required Level of Catalan
The Andorran job market is dominated by retail, tourism, finance and services. Catalan is the official language; depending on the post, French, Spanish and English are enough, but some jobs (notably public ones) require Catalan.
ReadVehicle and Driving Licence in Andorra: Registration and Formalities
Settling in Andorra means dealing with your vehicle: local registration, insurance, technical inspection and, if needed, customs papers for a return to France. The rules on driving licences must be checked with the authorities before you move.
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Frequently asked questions
Which languages are spoken in Andorra?
Catalan is the official language. Spanish, French and Portuguese are widely spoken, and English is common in tourism and business.
Which currency is used?
The euro.
Is it cold?
Andorra is a mountain country: winters are cold and snowy depending on altitude, and summers are milder. Heating and winter equipment weigh on the budget.
Can you live without a car?
In the central parishes, yes, thanks to the buses. In the valleys and for cross-border trips, a car remains very useful.
Is the cost of living lower than in France?
It depends on the item: the IGI is lower than VAT, but housing and energy weigh heavily. Compare item by item.
Do you need a car?
Not in the two central urban areas, but it is very useful in the valleys and the ski resorts.
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.