Active residency in Andorra for the self-employed: conditions and procedure

In short: how it works

A self-employed person who wishes to live in Andorra must show that they will carry out a genuine activity there. The administration looks at the nature of the activity, its benefit to the country, the ability to make a living from it and compliance with the rules of establishment. Once the activity authorisation is obtained, the residency file can be submitted.

The steps

1. Define the project: activity, clients, place of practice, structure (sole trader or company).
2. Obtain the authorisations needed to carry out the activity, depending on the sector.
3. Set up the structure where applicable. See steps to set up a company. Minimum capital of an SL: 3,000 €verified on 09/10/2026.
4. Find housing and health cover. See renting.
5. Submit the residency file with the documents requested. See documents, timescales and costs. Fees: amount set by the administration, to be confirmed at the time of submission.
6. Open a business and a personal bank account. See banking.

The criteria on which the file is judged

• Reality of the activity: a documented project, clients or a credible order book.
• Economic coherence: ability to generate sufficient income.
• Compliance: criminal record, absence of administrative obstacles, social cover.
• Substance: an activity that genuinely takes place on the spot, not just an address.

Social protection

The self-employed person contributes to the Andorran social security system. Contribution base: 25%, 50%, 62.5%, 75%, 100%, 125% or 137.5% of the average monthly overall wage of the previous yearverified on 12/10/2026. See health and insurance.

And taxation?

Becoming an Andorran resident does not automatically settle your French tax situation. Study tax residence and the IRPF regime before leaving.

Our advice

Have your project validated by a lawyer or a gestor before submitting anything: a refusal or a poorly built file costs time. See lawyers and gestorias.

What the law says since Llei 2/2026

Llei 2/2026 rewrote article 38 ter of the immigration law, which governs the residence and work authorisation for self-employed activity. The text distinguishes two cases.

Regulated profession (doctor, lawyer, architect, etc.)

The applicant first reserves the authorisation, then has 3 monthsverified on 12/10/2026 to provide proof of the authorisation to practise issued by the government, registration with the professional order or college where one exists, and the other legal conditions. After this period, the reservation lapses.

All other cases (setting up a company and an activity)

After the reservation, the applicant has 6 monthsverified on 12/10/2026 to provide proof of:

1. The foreign investment authorisation needed to set up an Andorran company in which they hold a stake of more than 34 %verified on 12/10/2026, and the legal incorporation of that company.
2. A seat on the company's administrative body, with an effective management role and oversight of the running of the business.
3. A final payment of 50,000 €verified on 12/10/2026 to the Andorran Financial Authority when the immigration application is submitted, non-refundable except if the initial authorisation is refused.

Then, within 3 monthsverified on 12/10/2026 of the application being registered, the company must hold a registered and active business. The activity is proved, at renewal, by the income generated.

An exception to the payment

The payment of 50,000 €verified on 12/10/2026 is not required where the company is created for a business project selected by an entity recognised by the government, or to promote the digital economy, entrepreneurship or innovation, provided it is an activity with high technological added value under the regulatory criteria. See also residency for remote workers and the programme for foreign entrepreneurs.

Duration and renewal

The residence and work authorisation is issued for 12 monthsverified on 12/10/2026, then renewed 3verified on 12/10/2026 times for 2 yearsverified on 12/10/2026 each. After 7 yearsverified on 12/10/2026 of authorisation, renewals are for 10 yearsverified on 12/10/2026. During the first year, the holder may neither change economic sector nor work on their own account without authorisation. The details are in durations and renewals.

What the text does not say

Proof of income and the precise forms are matters for regulations. In any case, the law requires residence holders to have sufficient economic means, valid health cover in Andorra and housing.