The Constitution binds the state and administration to the rule of law, democracy, the welfare state, legality, legal certainty and the prohibition of state arbitrariness. Fundamental rights bind public authorities directly; foreigners lawfully present enjoy essential freedoms. The official language is Catalan, and the capital is Andorra la Vella. The co-princes (Coprínceps)—the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France—are a joint and indivisible head of state. They sanction and promulgate laws, approve certain international obligations, and perform constitutional appointment and mediation functions. Their acts require the countersignature provided for in the Constitution. The General Council (Consell General) is the unicameral parliament. It has 28 to 42 councillors; 14 seats are allocated nationally and 14 through the seven parishes. The parliament passes laws and the state budget and supervises the government (Govern). Legislative initiatives may originate with the General Council or the government; the seven communal councils together or one tenth of the electorate may also submit a bill. The government consists of the head of government (Cap de Govern) and the ministers, determines national and international policy, conducts state administration and issues regulations. The head of government is elected by the General Council and appointed by the co-princes. The seven parishes (Parròquies) are Canillo, Encamp, Ordino, La Massana, Andorra la Vella, Sant Julià de Lòria and Escaldes-Engordany. Their communal councils (Comuns) are self-governing public bodies with their own budgets, local regulatory powers and responsibilities including population and electoral registers, business matters, the cadastre, urban planning, public roads, culture, sport, social services and municipal services. Quarts and Veïnats are traditionally recognized local units. Disputes over powers between the state and communal councils are decided by the Constitutional Court. For administrative procedures, the central digital service portal (Servei de Tràmits) provides an online catalogue, status checks and appointment options. Depending on the procedure, a ministry of the government, a communal council (Comú) or a specialist authority is responsible. A digital certificate (certificat digital) and the Digital Wallet (Cartera Digital) facilitate digital procedures; the Digital Wallet is voluntary. Fees, deadlines, required documents and legal remedies depend on the specific procedure. Administrative acts and legal rules may be reviewed by the courts. The government prepares the draft budget. Political guidelines are set before 15 July, the draft is submitted to the parliamentary financial oversight body (Sindicatura) before 1 November, and it enters into force after approval by the General Council and publication in the Official Gazette (BOPA). Without a new budget, the previous year's budget is automatically extended. The budget law may not create new taxes. The state tax system includes, among others, the general indirect tax (IGI), personal income tax (IRPF), corporate tax, non-resident tax and customs duties; communal councils levy, among others, property, rental, construction, location and activity taxes. The General Council supervises the government and the execution of the budget. The independent Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Comptes) reviews the legality, efficiency and transparency of state, communal and parapublic finances, as well as the financing of parties and candidacies. The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) safeguards the Constitution, while the Ombudsman (Raonador del Ciutadà) receives complaints against the administration. The ordinary courts include the Court of First Instance (Batllia), the Court of Corts (Tribunal de Corts) and the High Court (Tribunal Superior). In cases of violations of fundamental rights, the urgent ordinary legal remedy may, where applicable, lead to constitutional proceedings before the Tribunal Constitucional. Laws, treaties and state acts are published in the BOPA, the official publication organ. Since 1 January 2015, digital publications have been authentic and legally valid; the Legal Portal (Portal Jurídic) provides consolidated legal texts free of charge. Access to information and transparency are supported by UTAIP, the transparency portal and CNAAD. The Ministry of Justice and Interior (Ministeri de Justícia i Interior) is responsible for public security. The Andorran Police (Policia d’Andorra) operates nationwide in public security, criminal investigation, border control and immigration matters. Andorra has no armed forces of its own; civilian security duties are performed primarily by the police and customs. The emergency numbers are 110 for the police, 112 for mountain rescue, 116 for the ambulance service and 118 for the fire brigade.
State in Andorra
Andorra is a parliamentary co-principality with the 1993 Constitution as its highest legal norm. The head of state is jointly held by the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France, while the General Council passes laws and the government conducts state administration. Seven parishes with their own communal councils complement the state level.
Tip
For a specific matter in Andorra, first determine whether the government, a communal council or a specialist authority is responsible. Use the Servei de Tràmits as your starting point, then check the legal basis, documents, fee, deadline and possible legal remedy for the individual procedure. In a dispute with the administration, the Raonador del Ciutadà supplements the legal process but does not replace it.