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The small European nation of Andorra announced its intention to launch a digital nomad visa in early 2021. On the 2nd of November 2023, the visa officially became available! Here’s what you need to know about the Visa and Andorra for digital nomads.
The Andorra Digital Nomad Visa
If you are keen to get your hands on an Andorra digital nomad visa, then apply soon as the quota has been set at just 50 for the time being. You will be applying for a “liberal professional” visa, which was launched in Andorra in 2012 for medical professionals and has now been extended to digital nomads.
The government has defined digital nomads as people who are either self-employed or are an employee of an existing company and can work from anywhere digitally. You must have your work approved by the Ministry of the Economy before you can apply for the visa.
The visa and residence permit are granted for two years in the first instance and can then be renewed for a further two years, then three years, then ten years.
How to Apply
To apply, you must first have your employment or business approved by the Ministry of the Economy. You can do this by completing this application form, in Catalan, and submitting it to the Ministry of the Economy with the requested supporting documentation.
If further supporting documentation is required, it will be requested from you, and you will have five days in which to provide it. Once your application is complete, you should hear the outcome within 15 working days.
You can then make your visa application at your local consulate or embassy. You can find a list here. The required documentation include:
- Clean police certificates certified with an Apostille from your birth country, country of your current passport, and the country of your last residence.
- Proof of your civil status certified with an Apostille.
- Prof of private medical insurance valid in Andorra.
- Proof of accommodation within Andorra.
- Proof that you meet the minimum income requirement.
- A signed letter confirming that you will reside in Andorra for a minimum of 90 days each year.
The minimum income requirement for a single individual is 300% of the Andorran minimum salary. The current minimum salary is EUR 1,286.13 per month, so you must show a salary of at least EUR 3,858.39. You must add 100% of the minimum salary for every dependent included in the application.
Also, be aware that while you must submit the originals of all your documents, you must also submit official Catalan translations, which can be expensive to procure.
The application itself costs EUR 2,500, and there is a EUR 500 fee to emit a residence card for each person who will arrive in Andorra, and a similar fee every time it is renewed.
Be aware! Andorra only has double taxation agreements with France, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malta, Cyprus, and the United Arab Emirates. If you stay for more than 183 days, you will become a resident for tax purposes and may face double taxation. However, the maximum personal tax bracket in Andorra is just 10%.
Andorra for Digital Nomads
While Andorra is not a member of the European Union or in the Schengen area, it does not have border control with France or Spain. Since Andorra has no airport, you must first enter the Schengen area and then pass into Andorra, for which you may need a separate visa.
- Size: 468 square kilometres
- Population: 79,034
- Language: Catalan (Spanish, Portuguese and French also commonly spoken)
- Currency: Euro
- Time zone: GMT +1
- Internet Speeds: 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps
Andorra is nestled within the Pyrenees Mountain and is a mix of natural beauty and modern luxury, established within a charming historical context.
The principality was established in 1278 by agreement between the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgell, creating a shared community at this strategic crossroads between the two countries.
Most visitors make their way to the capital, Andorra de la Vall, where you can see the Meritxell Sanctuary and indulge in tax-free shopping. For skiing, head to Vallnord and Grandvalira, which turn into cool mountain biking parks in the warmer months.
The small villages of Ordino and Pal are also a must-visit, as is Caldea Spa, offering thermal waters and architectural marvels.
Cost of Living in Andorra
Andorra offers a highly affordable cost of living by European standards thanks to the absence of value-added tax on most goods. It is estimated that a single person can get by on about USD 800 per month excluding accommodation.
While eating out can be expensive, groceries, public transport, gasoline, and amenities tend to be very affordable. Expect to pay USD 25 per month for a mobile contract and USD 45 per month for a good internet connection.
While the population is small, the accommodation market is not overly dynamic. Expect to pay USD 800-1,000 per month for an apartment for a single person or couple.
Pros and Cons of Living in Andorra for Digital Nomads
When deciding whether Andorra is the right destination for you, there are a variety of pros and cons to consider.
On the benefits side:
- Andorra is extremely safe with almost no violent crime.
- Highly affordable cost of living by European standards.
- Low taxes, with the maximum tax bracket set at just 10%.
- An outdoor lifestyle, with walking, skiing, and biking all being popular and accessible past times.
- Access to quality healthcare, ranked above countries such as Switzerland and Norway.
- High-quality internet connectivity with recent upgrades meaning that GB connections are available in the capital.
- There is a small but strong digital nomad and expat community, and a good number of coworking spaces including Hive Five Coworking, Ingeni Coworking Europa, and Smart Executive Centers + Coworking Andorra.
On the negative side, consider:
- No airport or international train stations, the closest are in Barcelona (2.5 hours away by car) and Toulouse (3 hours away by car).
- English is not widely spoken, but Spanish, French, and Portuguese are. The government does offer free Catalan classes.
- Andorra has a limited range of double taxation treaties so you may become liable for double taxation.
- You can feel disconnected when you realize that services that you take for granted, such as Amazon, just don’t function in Andorra.
An Exciting Opportunity
While Andorra might not be the first place that digital nomads think of when choosing their next destination, it is worth considering. It is a beautiful country with a high standard of living, but a small population and old world feel. The new visa makes Andorra more accessible than ever. But only a limited number of available…
