Passive residency in Andorra: requirements, costs and pitfalls
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The short answer
Residency without gainful activity (known as passive) requires an investment of at least 1,000,000 € in Andorran assets, or 400,000 € if placed in the Fons d'Habitatge, and a non-refundable payment of 50,000 € to the AFA. These amounts come from Llei 2/2026.
What it is
Passive residency is for people who wish to live in Andorra without carrying on any gainful activity there: retirees, people living on investment income and people with private wealth. People who work remotely fall under a separate status, described in the page on residency for remote workers.
The requirements, in principle
| Requirement | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Investment in Andorran assets | At least 1,000,000 €verified on 09/10/2026 |
| Variant via the Fons d'Habitatge | 400,000 €verified on 09/10/2026 |
| Threshold per property acquired | 800,000 €verified on 09/10/2026 |
| Payment to the AFA (non-refundable) | Main holder: 50,000 €verified on 09/10/2026 |
| Per dependant | 12,000 €verified on 09/10/2026 |
| Housing in Andorra | Lease or ownership, depending on the file |
| Resources | Sufficient means, documented |
| Health insurance | Mandatory cover |
| Effective presence | 90 daysverified on 12/10/2026 |
| Criminal record | Clean extract from the country of residence |
Steps
- Check that you meet the requirements and that the status matches your plan.
- Prepare the investment and document it. See investing in Andorra.
- Find housing. See buying or renting.
- Open a bank account. See personal account.
- File the application: documents, timelines and costs.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Confusing 90 days, 183 days and tax residency. See the dedicated page.
- Relying on an outdated blog for the investment amount.
- Ignoring French taxation: becoming an Andorran resident does not automatically take you out of French tax domicile. See leaving France.
- Underestimating the local cost of living. See cost of living.
Who it suits, and who it does not
Passive residency suits those who can genuinely live in Andorra for a large part of the year. It is a poor fit for anyone hoping for a mere "status" without presence: the administration expects effective residence.
Duration of the authorisation
| Case | Initial duration | Renewals |
|---|---|---|
| General | 2 yearsverified on 12/10/2026 | 2 yearsverified on 12/10/2026 at the first, then 3 yearsverified on 12/10/2026; after 7 yearsverified on 12/10/2026, 10 yearsverified on 12/10/2026 |
| Spanish, French and Portuguese nationals | 2 yearsverified on 12/10/2026 | 3 yearsverified on 12/10/2026; after 5 yearsverified on 12/10/2026, 10 yearsverified on 12/10/2026 |
The text therefore reserves more favourable treatment for French, Spanish and Portuguese nationals: longer renewals and faster access to the ten-year regime.
What a passive resident may do
They may carry out the acts necessary to manage their own assets, including acting as an unpaid director of entities in which they hold at least half of the capital or equity. They may not carry on a professional or salaried activity in Andorra.
Housing
The law requires you to own or rent a dwelling that meets the minimum habitability conditions, or to have begun the purchase of a dwelling, to be completed within 12 monthsverified on 12/10/2026 of filing the application. If the applicant is related in the direct line or collaterally up to the third degree to a resident, it is enough to show a right to live in the same dwelling.
Health insurance
The applicant and dependants must have sickness, disability and old-age cover valid in Andorra for the whole duration of the permit; for minors and people over sixty, sickness cover is enough.
People exempt from the investment
Some cases are not subject to the conditions of residency without gainful activity: notably the holder of a residence and work permit who retires, their spouse and dependants, or a person admitted under family reunification. See retirement in Andorra and family reunification.
For a remote worker
A remote worker has a specific status: see residency for remote workers.
Work out your own case
Free simulators, built on the official values of this page.
Frequently asked questions
What investment is needed for passive residency in Andorra?
At least 1,000,000 € in Andorran assets, or 400,000 € when the investment is made in the Fons d'Habitatge. Each property acquired must reach 800,000 €. These thresholds appear in article 96 of the immigration law, as amended by Llei 2/2026.
Is the payment to the AFA refundable?
No: since Llei 2/2026, the payment is final, unless the initial authorisation is refused. It is 50,000 € for the main holder and 12,000 € per dependant who becomes resident.
Do the old thresholds still apply?
They relate to the former regime. Applications filed before Llei 2/2026 came into force remain subject to the old rules; new applications fall under the current regime.
Can you work with passive residency?
No, not in Andorra: the status is for residents without gainful activity in the country. A plan to carry on an activity falls under a different residency.
Can the investment be in property?
Yes: property is among the accepted assets, with thresholds per dwelling. Debt securities and funds count for a maximum of 36 months only before being reallocated.
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.