Which main areas does law in Andorra cover?

The main areas are employment law, immigration law, criminal law, consumer protection and civil law. Each area applies to different relationships, procedures and authorities.

How should a person classify a legal problem in Andorra involving work, residence, crime, a purchase or a private dispute?

A work-related matter generally belongs to employment law, while residence and work authorization belong to immigration law. Suspected offences belong to criminal law, problems with commercial suppliers belong to consumer protection, and contracts, property, family, inheritance or damages generally belong to civil law.

Law in Andorra

Law in Andorra sets the rules for work, residence, criminal offences, purchases and other private legal relationships. The applicable rules depend on the subject, the people or organizations involved, and the relevant authority or procedure. Employment law, immigration law, criminal law, consumer protection and civil law cover the main areas presented here.

Tip

Classify your issue before choosing a procedure or contacting an authority in Andorra. Separate work, residence, criminal, consumer and private-law questions when more than one subject is involved, because each may require different documents, deadlines and procedures. A clear classification reduces the risk of taking the wrong legal route.

byPaula&Albert

Labor law

Labor law in Andorra governs dependent work, employment contracts, working hours, pay, protection, representation, disputes, and termination. An employment contract must be in writing regardless of its duration or type; statutory minimum standards may not be reduced to the employee’s detriment. Classification depends, among other things, on the place of work, the collective agreement, residence and work permits, and affiliation with Andorran social security.

Immigration law

Andorran immigration law regulates entry, short stays, work, residence, family reunification, protection status, permanent residence and citizenship. Andorra is not part of the Schengen Area and is normally reached through France or Spain, so travellers may need to satisfy both Schengen and Andorran requirements. A stay exceeding 90 days or any work in Andorra generally requires the appropriate immigration authorization.

Criminal law

Criminal law in Andorra defines criminal offences, investigation procedures, sanctions and the rights of suspects, convicted persons and victims. The codified system distinguishes delictes majors, delictes menors and contravencions penals, with different procedures and maximum penalties. The Codi penal was amended by L19/2026, which has been in force since 14 August 2026; L18/2026 is scheduled to enter into force on 13 December 2026 and is not yet applicable.

Consumer protection

Consumer protection in Andorra gives private end customers rights when they buy goods, services, financial products or digital offers from commercial or professional suppliers. Prices, essential product information, advertising claims and contract terms must be transparent, while unsafe or defective goods trigger specific remedies. Complaints usually start with the supplier and can then go to the Unitat de Comerç i Consum, the AFA, the health authorities, FEDA or the Police, depending on the subject.

Civil law

Civil law, called dret civil in Catalan, governs private legal relationships in Andorra. It covers contracts, property, family matters, inheritance, damages, court proceedings and enforcement. The rules are contained in several laws and sectoral provisions rather than in one comprehensive civil code.

Andorran law regulates relationships between individuals, companies, institutions and public authorities. Employment law covers dependent work, contracts, pay, working time, protection, representation, disputes and termination. Immigration law covers entry, short stays, work authorization, residence, family reunification, protection status, permanent residence and citizenship. Criminal law defines offences, investigations, sanctions and the rights of suspects, convicted persons and victims. Consumer protection applies to purchases of goods, services, financial products and digital offers from commercial or professional suppliers. Civil law covers contracts, property, family matters, inheritance, damages, court proceedings and enforcement. A legal issue should first be classified by its subject because different authorities, documents, deadlines and procedures may apply.