Active residency may not be everyone’s cup of tea, however, if you want to relocate long term and make Andorra your home, active residency is a great option. Just remember, this will require you to spend most of your time within the country. You’ll also be required to pay into the social security program and the healthcare system — benefits that you can enjoy as an active resident.
Documents Needed for Your Residency Application:
Apostille Certificate
Passport Copy
Rental Agreement Copy
Resume or Biography
Marriage Certificate
Once you start looking into active residency, you’ll come across two main paths of entry. Each has its own set of requirements, benefits, and conditions. We encourage you to choose your course of action depending on what suits your unique needs.
Below, we’ll break down the two main categories of active residency in Andorra.
Through Self-Employment
If you’re self-employed or own a company, you’re eligible for Andorra’s active residency program — locally known as residència i treball per compte propi or Compte Propi in short.
This form of residency is exclusively reserved for entrepreneurs and proprietors who want to take up full-time residence in the country. The minimal investment requirements and a low tax rate of 10% for annual incomes exceeding €40,000 are what make this Andorra residency option attractive.
Generally, the country offers around 900 positions per year under this type of residency. To qualify, you will need to meet a few requirements which include:
Renting or purchasing a property in Andorra that is at least 20 square meters
Apostilled documents dated within three months
Police certificate of birth country, birth certificate or passport, or marriage certificate (if applicable)
Foreign investment approval
An in-person meeting with a notary
Incorporation of your company
An initial deposit of €3,000 in share capital to an Andorran bank
A local trading license
A comprehensive medical exam and interview
Registration with the Andorran healthcare system
A €15,000 deposit (per person) in Andorran government bonds
If you are seeking active residency under this category, you are required to own at least a 20% share of a local company. You must also be a working director and you have the option of owning a 100% stake in an Andorran company.
The main advantage of active residency through self-employment is that you only have to pay a €15,000 bond as opposed to the €50,000 required for passive residency.
PAYING INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM (CASS)
Before we proceed to the next section, we must mention that one of the most important prerequisites for active residency through self-employment is that you’ll need to pay into the social security program.
Generally, this will require you to pay a fixed rate as opposed to the standard 22% that contractors/employees in the country are expected to pay.
- Fixed-rate payment to CASS: €468.48/month
Many new residents aren’t used to paying this amount of money. However, it is important to understand that this money goes into the government healthcare system and social security funds. This healthcare system covers 95% of your total hospital bill and 75% of all other medical expenses. Any injuries accrued at work are covered 100%, as is childbirth.
With that in mind, this amount can be considered a good investment.
RESIDENCY FOR DEPENDENTS
One important thing worth mentioning is that dependent family members are not permitted to become residents until the company shareholder holds residency for at least one year, unless you are French, Spanish, or Portuguese.
Via a Work Contract
Acquiring active residency in Andorra through a work contract requires you to have a job offer from an Andorran company. Note that the government prioritizes its own citizens, and those of Spain, France, and Portugal when issuing work permits.
You’ll also require basic documents such as proof of accommodation in Andorra and an apostille police certificate from your birth country as well as your country of residence. You want the latter sent to you as late as possible, right before your arrival date because they’re only valid for 3 months.
The administrative fees for seasonal work permits are paid for by the employer. You’ll also need to undergo a basic medical exam and sign a few forms. If you arrive in Andorra without employment, it is paramount to look at local job boards and contact local business owners as quickly as possible. Ideally, we don’t recommend arriving in Andorra for this type of active residency without a job already lined up.
Some of the pathways towards acquiring active residency through a work contract include:
SEASONAL WORK
One of the most commonly used options to obtain a visa is via a seasonal work permit. These permits are ideal for English speakers, especially those who can work at ski resorts or in the tourism/hospitality industry. For the most part, you’ll find these permits available during peak tourist season (November through May).
Each work permit is limited to three months — once it expires, you’ll be given one week to leave the country.
TEACHING ENGLISH TO NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS
Another way to obtain a work permit is by getting hired to teach English to non-native speakers. Unsurprisingly, this only applies to those fluent in English, and are good at teaching; being good at the language and being able to teach effectively are very different skillsets. Schools often love to hire English speaking language teachers and are open to granting permits for them to do so. If you are a native English speaker, this is a well-paying path to a work permit that could lead to active residency.
SPONSORSHIP
Active residency seekers can find additional work permits if they are looking to stay in Andorra long term. One of the best means to do this is through sponsorship. A local Andorran employer can choose to sponsor foreign workers if they are unable to fill a position via the local employment pool.