Se puede decir que el país no es apto para todos. Tiene sus propias peculiaridades y características que algunos apreciarán, otros no. Cualquiera que desee mudarse a Andorra debe tener una visión equilibrada de los pros y los contras de vivir en Andorra.

We understand that moving to a new country is a tough decision. Particularly when you’re moving to a unique place like Andorra. Below, we’ll try to give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live in the principality; what you will like, what you might not, and more.

Las ventajas de vivir en Andorra

Si sabe dónde buscar, Andorra tiene mucho que ofrecer. Además del paisaje pintoresco, hay muchas otras cosas para experimentar mientras se vive en Andorra. Tanto si quiere vivir en la capital de Andorra la Vella como en un pequeño pueblo enclavado en los Pirineos, los productos básicos, el ocio y los servicios esenciales siguen siendo fácilmente accesibles.

Estas son algunas de las principales ventajas de vivir en este pequeño país:

Seguridad y protección

Andorra is a very safe place. Residents have a sense of ease throughout the country. Many are of the opinion that even if you mistakenly leave your wallet or cellphone somewhere, chances are it will either be handed in by a ‘good Samaritan’ or you’ll find it where you left it.

Es, con diferencia, uno de los países más seguros de Europa. Los delitos violentos y las agresiones son casi inexistentes, incluso en las zonas más urbanas y pobladas. Como los puntos de entrada al país son limitados, las actividades ilegales son bastante raras.

Las carreteras de entrada y salida del país tienen fronteras patrulladas. Tampoco hay aeropuerto. Las personas se sienten lo suficientemente seguras como para dejar sus coches encendidos y abiertos cuando hacen recados. En resumen, el país es bastante seguro. Su tasa de desempleo bastante baja también significa que los delitos menores contra la propiedad son raros, lo que explica que la jubilación en Andorra sea tan idílica.

Bajo coste de vida

One thing that can be off-putting about many regions in Europe is the cost of living. That's not the case in Andorra. In fact, it compares to very affordable cities like Madrid or Barcelona. All in all, el costo de vida en Andorra suele ser un 30% más bajo que en las principales ciudades globales comparables.

Echemos un vistazo a algunos gastos comunes de vivir en Andorra:

Piso moderno de alta gama de 2 dormitorios y 2 baños con parking: 1000 €/mes

Gastos de alquiler: 100€/mes

300MBPS wifi: €39/month

Menú mediodía estándar: 15€

Café: 1,25€

Glass of beer: €1.50

Abono al gimnasio con piscina, sauna, clases incluidas: 50 €/mes

Forfait de esquí para residentes: 250 € (sin embargo, hay diferentes ofertas disponibles por encima y por debajo de esta cantidad).

Ocio al aire libre

It’s hard to talk about living and retiring in Andorra without mentioning outdoor recreation. One look at the Andorran mountain ranges and its ski-friendly slopes and trails is enough to make any adventurer smile. Certainly, one of the major pros of living in here is access to outdoor recreational activities. Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, or skiing, there’s something for everyone.

Given the amazing mountain scenery, Andorra is a top-tier ski destination. Living in the principality means you get to have a lot of fun on the slopes. This is made even easier given that the year-round ski passes and bike parks cost less than €200 in some scenarios. Grandvalira, Vallnord – Pal Arinsal, and Ordino Arcalis operate cable cars and chairlifts for winter skiing and biking or sightseeing in the summer.

Además, las rutas de senderismo señalizadas, las vías ferratas mantenidas y las rutas señalizadas para ciclistas están presentes en todo el país. Tanto si eres un aficionado como si eres un deportista profesional, Andorra es el lugar perfecto para entrenar y divertirte.

En general, si las actividades al aire libre son importantes en su vida, Andorra debería cumplir con todos los requisitos.

Una fiscalidad atractiva

Andorra is often considered to be a tax haven. While that’s not exactly true, reasonable taxation is a big advantage of living in Andorra. Compared to other countries, the el sistema fiscal en Andorra is simple. You might even consider the country a quaint duty-free shop nestled in the endless mountains.

Veamos algunas situaciones fiscales en Andorra:

Personal income tax is between 0-10%

Los particulares pueden ganar 24.000 € con un tipo impositivo del 0%. De 24.000€ a 40.000€, el tipo impositivo es del 5%. Por encima de 40.000€, el tipo impositivo es del 10%.

Las parejas casadas sólo tributan al 10% por encima de 40.000€.

No hay impuesto sobre las ventas, pero el IVA es del 4,5%.

El impuesto de sociedades es del 10%.

Sin impuesto sobre el patrimonio, las donaciones o las sucesiones

El impuesto a las ganancias de capital inmobiliario es del 0-15%.

A pesar de las tasas impositivas relativamente bajas, the quality of life in Andorra is quite comfortable. The government delivers great services and programs without imposing a high tax rate on citizens. The result is a happy, healthy population that feels they are not unfairly taxed, which makes for a very progressive citizenry.

Sistema sanitario progresivo

Healthcare is often a hot-button issue in nearly every country in the world. Not so much in Andorra. In fact, the principality boasts a world-class healthcare system with nearly four physicians for every 1000 residents. Those who call Andorra home can enjoy top-level services locally or by visiting neighboring systems in France and Spain.

Similar to respected countries like Switzerland and Norway, Andorra boasts a very progressive healthcare system. In fact, according to a 2017 Lancet publication, Andorra ranked higher in quality and access than these health-conscious nations. The Lancet also notes that Andorra is one of the top 5 healthiest countries in the world.

¿Qué hace que la sanidad en Andorra sea tan buena? Conocido como CASS (Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social), el sistema cubre la mayor parte de los costes sanitarios de cada individuo. Además, si te encuentras en los países vecinos de Francia, España o Portugal y tienes que hacer frente a gastos médicos inesperados, estos suelen estar cubiertos. Solo tienes que informar a la CASS de tus movimientos.

Coverage typically includes:

Cobertura del 100% de los gastos de parto

90% de cobertura para todas las visitas al hospital

75% para citas médicas y dentales

Una comunidad próspera

Aside from the basic necessities, having a community that’s welcoming and lively makes transitioning to a new home a lot easier. Andorra is a vibrant place to both live and work. A large number of expats and immigrants from the neighbouring European countries makes the principality a rather multi-cultural place to be. The capital, Andorra la Vella, is a testament to Andorra’s broad diversity.

Las Festa Majors son fiestas que se suelen celebrar durante varios días en casi todos los pueblos del país. Para un país pequeño, siempre parece haber algún tipo de evento comunitario o reunión a la que asistir.

Una vez que rompa la barrera del idioma, descubrirá una comunidad verdaderamente abierta que lo recibirá con los brazos abiertos.

The Cons of Living in Andorra

Obviously, living in Andorra has both pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look at the things about Andorra that probably won’t excite you. Remember, it is important to weigh both up before exploring and arranging residency. We know what a big decision moving to a new country can be.

La barrera del idioma en Andorra

One of the biggest cons many expats face when relocating is the language barrier. Catalan — Andorra's official language — is the native tongue of a mere 10 million individuals worldwide, so chances are you won't be familiar with it. That said, the government does offer free classes to help newcomers learn the language.

While Catalan is the official language, many residents in Andorra also speak French and Spanish. With the rise of expats, English is also becoming more common in the hospitality, retail and tourism sectors. Two international schools teach the majority of the curriculum in English, while many private tuition centres also offer English classes.

Still, the language barrier can be an issue for new residents who need to understand government services and access information for things like banking and so on.

Acceso limitado al transporte.

Andorra no es exactamente un centro de viajes internacional. Aunque la mayoría de los países europeos están muy bien conectados entre sí por vuelos y trenes baratos, el acceso al transporte en Andorra sigue siendo bastante limitado. El país no tiene aeropuerto propio ni conexión con el sistema ferroviario europeo.

Si decide venirse a vivir aquí, encontrará que los principales centros de transporte más cercanos son Barcelona (2,5 horas) y Toulouse (3 horas).

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that the nearest train station is located at L’Hospitalet-pres-l’Andorre, which is 3km from the border of France. Here you’ll have access to a direct night train to Paris Austerlitz. Once you get into Toulouse, you’ll find many other connections for travel.

A Simpler Way of Life

Some people want a fast-paced way of life where the world is at their fingertips — others crave simplicity and leisure. Andorra really serves the latter. Having to live a simple lifestyle is not necessarily a con, but if you’re used to the city life where you can order anything and everything on your phone, it might be an inconvenience. Additionally, many online retailers do not ship to Andorra at all, which may be another drawback for many.

While these things aren’t necessarily major deal breakers, they can be quite annoying. This is especially true for individuals moving from the United Kingdom and the United States. While there are ways to get around the hassles of getting packages, they often involve sending shipments to a collection point in La Seu d’Urgell. To serve this gap in the market, businesses that accept international packages on your behalf and deliver them to your doorstep (for a fee, of course) are becoming more prevalent.

¿Listo para dar el primer paso?

While there are plenty of positives and some negatives to living in Andorra, we feel the pros far outweigh the cons. After all, a population of more than 77,000 residents lives here with good reason. People come from all walks of life. There are Andorran-born locals and others who have only lived here for one or two generations. There are also plenty of expats and world travelers. Historically, people have emigrated to Andorra from France, Spain, and Portugal. Nowadays, people are migrating from Britain, America, Eastern Europe, and beyond.

Many folks come seeking lower tax rates, others want a lifestyle change that supports outdoor recreation. Some are choosing to retire in Andorra despite the language barrier, others just want a simpler way of life. Andorra is home to all types of people. Becoming one of them is easier than you might imagine!

If you’re not sure how to weigh up the pros and cons of living in Andorra, contact us today. We can help guide you along the path to making the decision and calling this beautiful nation home.

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