Arrival in Andorra

Andorra has no single national arrival office. The Programa d’acollida per a persones nouvingudes provides a functional welcome service, while the Govern d’Andorra and Servei d’Immigració handle national administration and residence matters. The seven Comuns manage local registration and basic parish services; CASS provides social security and public health insurance, and SAAS provides public healthcare. Before travelling, check the access conditions for the country through which the journey enters Andorra. Andorra is not part of Schengen and has no separate Andorran entry visa. Third-country nationals follow the Schengen rules of France or Spain, depending on the entry country. A Schengen visa with two entries may be needed, while repeated returns can require a multiple-entry visa. A tourist or entry status does not create a right of residence, so the intended residence pathway should be clarified with Servei d’Immigració before arrival. Relevant residence pathways include residencia i treball, temporary residence, cuenta propia, residence without work and reagrupament. For an A.1 active-resident pathway, the quota, an indefinite employment contract and permanent or effective residence are relevant. An initial authorisation normally lasts one year, followed by three two-year renewals; after seven years, a ten-year authorisation is generally used, subject to exceptions for treaty states. Typical documents include a valid passport or identity card, criminal-record certificate, a recent 35 x 45 mm photograph, proof of accommodation, civil-status documents, a CV or qualification records, an employment contract and a medical examination. A Comú diligence may also be required. The complete list depends on the pathway and status and should be checked live. Initial accommodation is relevant because an accommodation document can support a residence application. For an A.1 application, public accommodation may serve as proof of accommodation. Detailed rental-market and tenancy-law questions belong to housing guidance rather than arrival planning. Immigration fees depend on the pathway: an application receipt costs €5.73, a receipt for residence without work costs €6.79, initial authorisation for residencia i treball, temporary residence or cuenta propia usually costs €190.96, and family reunification costs €22.61. Processing time has no single general duration because it depends on the pathway, quota and documents. Travel conditions can change quickly because Andorra is in a high-mountain area. Check border and road conditions before departure, allow time for snow or winter cold, and keep a buffer for delays. Minors need a valid identity card or passport; a minor travelling alone or with someone who is not a parent may also need written permission from a parent or legal guardian. Dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip or valid tattoo and a rabies vaccination. Animals from the EU or associated areas generally need a pet passport; animals from other origins need an official health certificate. Andorra has seven parròquies, each administered by a Comú. The Comú provides local services such as roads, waste collection and social or cultural services and is the first local contact after moving in. Servei d’Immigració normally receives visitors Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 13:00 by prior appointment. Servei de Tràmits-Ciutadania normally operates Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 17:00 and on Fridays and during school holidays from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 14:30. The Govern contact number is 875 700; opening times can change. The cens parroquial, also called the cens comunal or empadronament, is the local parish register. Residents must register with the Comú of the parish where they live, normally no later than six months after the start of the stay. The legal resident definition refers to at least 183 days in Andorra per year. The usual documents are a valid residence permit, a rental agreement or ownership document and an identity card or passport. The Comú certificate proves residence in that parish but does not replace the immigration status granted by Servei d’Immigració. When moving between parishes, the new Comú initiates removal from the previous register; legal representatives register minors, and address changes must be reported. Breaches can lead to sanctions. People who qualify for Andorran public health and social benefits need CASS insurance. An employer normally registers an employee when the employment contract begins, with coverage starting when the contract is activated. Self-employed workers register themselves. A resident without employment may use direct or indirect insurance if eligible. Common indicators include a valid immigration permit, an Andorran domicile and a bank account, but eligibility depends on the person’s status and should be confirmed with CASS. Insured people need a Targeta Sanitària, issued through CASS and in some cases through a Comú. The card is also available through the CASS portal or Cartera Digital; a duplicate costs €4. The via preferent system can provide better reimbursement at participating providers. Each parròquia has a CAP, a primary healthcare centre. Routine care normally starts with the CAP, while the Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell has a 24-hour emergency department. Call 112 for general emergencies, 110 for police, 116 for medical emergencies or SUM, and 118 for firefighters. Public transport connects the seven parròquies through national bus lines; current stops, timetables and connections are published through bus.ad and Mou-te. The resident monthly bus pass is free, while Comú services can have reduced fares and international bus connections are also available. Families can choose among the three public education systems: Andorran, Spanish and French; private schools are another option. Public teaching is free and compulsory from ages 6 to 16. Enrolment for the following school year usually takes place in February or March, while applications outside that period require a direct place check. A NIA is required for school administration. Programmes for newly arrived pupils can include Catalan support. Catalan is the official language and the language of official administration, so this affects contact with public offices even though language instruction is a separate subject. The Comú supplies water. Electricity providers depend on the parròquia: Mutua Elèctrica serves Sant Julià de Lòria; FEDA serves Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany and Encamp except Pas de la Casa and Canillo; Nord Andorra serves La Massana and Ordino; Sercensa serves Pas de la Casa; and Unió Elèctrica d’Encamp serves parts of Encamp. Andorra Telecom is the sole national telecom operator. Postal services are provided through Correos and La Poste. A bank will commonly request valid identification, a Certificat de residència and proof of income, but requirements vary. Adult residents can obtain a free Certificat digital for e-government, CASS services, the shared medical record and digital signatures; Cartera Digital use is voluntary. Afers Socials provides information, intervention and support for children, young people, older people, people with disabilities and people facing vulnerability, subject to case-specific eligibility.