Romantic relationship in Andorra

In Andorra, common local terms include parella for partner or couple, parella de fet and unió estable de parella for a stable unmarried partnership, convivents for cohabitants and exparella for a former partner. Dating and ordinary unmarried relationships are mainly informal. There is no state dating register, matchmaking service or general government equivalent for romantic relationships, and an unregistered couple does not automatically receive marriage or registered-partnership rights. A couple can marry through a civil or canonical marriage. Civil marriage has the same requirements and effects for same-sex and different-sex couples. Both partners generally need to be at least 18, must consent, must not already be married or registered in another stable partnership and must not have a prohibited family relationship. Marriage creates reciprocal duties including respect, mutual assistance, shared life, fidelity and consideration of the family interest. Partners agree how to cover household costs; without an agreement, contributions generally relate to income and assets. Both partners can be jointly liable for ordinary family needs, and one spouse cannot freely dispose of the family home alone. The civil-marriage process starts with a preliminary file at the Registre Civil. The couple normally appears personally, although a special power of attorney can apply. Typical documents include passports or identity documents, birth certificates and proof of civil status and residence. Foreign documents may require legalisation and an official translation. After approval, the ceremony takes place through the Comú or before a notary. The approval expires after six months, while birth and civil-status certificates are commonly expected to be no more than three months old in practice. The main formal alternative to marriage is the unió estable de parella. It generally requires both partners to be at least 18, no prohibited kinship, no existing marriage or other stable partnership, and stable, public and uninterrupted marriage-like cohabitation for at least one year or a shared child. At least one partner must be Andorran or have legal, effective and permanent residence; a temporary immigration permit alone is not enough. Under Llei 9/2026, the partnership is integrated into the Registre Civil. The preliminary file includes identity, birth, civil-status and residence evidence, a sworn cohabitation declaration, two witness statements and a private agreement recorded by a notary. Registration follows the statutory six-month process. Effects between the partners begin with the application, while effects towards third parties begin with the register entry, so the current certificate and implementation details should be confirmed with the Registre Civil. Registered partners normally keep separate ownership and management of their property. Their private agreement can regulate personal and financial rights, duties and dissolution. Registered stable partnerships are treated like marriages in specified areas such as leases, social security, social assistance and healthcare, taxation, employment and public service law. That equality does not automatically extend to every legal situation. A registered partner may generally use the family-reunification pathway, but must submit a separate application and meet income, housing and insurance conditions; registration does not itself grant residence. Consent is required for intimacy. Current criminal-law information identifies sexual acts with a person under 14 as criminal and also protects people aged 14 to 17 where superiority or dependency is involved. A 2026 government project proposes raising the protection age to 16, but that proposal is not treated as enacted law here. The Servei Integral d’Atenció a la Dona and SAAS provide free and confidential advice on sexual and reproductive health, contraception, family planning, unintended pregnancy and information about IVE, with access through a CAP appointment and onward referral when needed. Violence by a current or former partner can be physical, sexual, psychological or economic, and protection services do not require a police report or separation. SAVVDF supports affected people, including LGTBIQ+ people and men, through social, educational, psychological, legal and employment-related assistance as well as mediation for housing access. The service at 181 is free and confidential and offers advice around the clock. In an emergency, contact Policia at 110. SAVVG specialises in support for women and children; LGTBIQ+ counselling is also available through the Servei d’Igualtat together with Diversand or Horitzons. Marriage separation and divorce are handled by the court, normally no earlier than three months after the wedding unless serious risk justifies an exception. A conveni regulador or court measures can address the practical consequences. Mediation through the Servei de Mediació i Orientació in Andorra la Vella is voluntary and confidential, and neither participation nor a settlement is compulsory. A promise to marry is not enforceable; an adult may in limited circumstances recover expenses or liabilities caused by an unjustified refusal, subject to a one-year limitation period. A registered stable partnership can end by mutual agreement, a provable unilateral notice, death or marriage. Under Llei 9/2026, the dissolution is entered in the Registre Civil. It takes effect between the partners from the agreement or receipt of notice and against third parties from the register entry; a new stable partnership requires the prior registration of the dissolution. Property settlement and family measures may require family-court proceedings. A surviving registered partner may have rights such as predetracció, any de viduïtat and subrogation into the rental contract of a deceased tenant. Official fees for marriage or stable-partnership registration were not stated in the reviewed primary information; notarial charges, official translations, legalisation and document fees may add costs.