If you are researching how to register as a resident in Andorra: the paperwork explained, the first point to understand is that residency is not completed with one form. You normally deal with Andorra’s immigration authorities, your local comú and, depending on your situation, CASS, the country’s social security system. The documents and financial conditions differ between active and passive residency, so choosing the correct route is essential.
Choose the right Andorran residency route
Active residency is generally for people who work in Andorra as an employee, run an Andorran company or carry out an authorised professional activity. You will usually need an employment relationship, a company structure or another accepted basis for economic activity. Your application is handled through the Govern d’Andorra’s Servei d’Immigració, and an employment contract or company documentation is normally central to the file.
Passive residency, also called non-lucrative residency, is designed for people who live in Andorra without taking up local employment. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources, suitable private health cover and a qualifying connection or investment under the rules in force. The precise minimum investment, deposit, income and stay requirements can change, so check the current conditions with the Govern d’Andorra before transferring funds or signing a long-term commitment.
Documents commonly requested
Although requirements vary by nationality and residency category, prepare the following paperwork early:
- A valid passport or identity document, plus copies of relevant pages.
- A recent criminal-record certificate from countries where you have lived, usually legalised or apostilled and translated when required.
- Civil-status documents, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate or evidence of dependants.
- Proof of accommodation in Andorra, commonly a rental contract, property title or other accepted evidence of your address.
- Photographs, application forms and any medical certificates requested by the Servei d’Immigració.
- Evidence of employment, company ownership, professional activity, income, savings or investment, depending on the route.
- Private health insurance where required, particularly for passive residency and family members.
Documents from abroad may need an apostille or diplomatic legalisation and an official translation into Catalan. Do not assume that an English, French or Spanish document will be accepted without translation. Ask the immigration office or an Andorran professional which format applies before ordering certificates, because some documents have limited validity periods.
Submit the immigration application
Applications are submitted through the relevant Andorran administrative channels for immigration. The authority checks identity, criminal records, accommodation, financial means and the specific basis for residence. Active applicants should coordinate their application with their employer or company administrator. If you are moving with children or a spouse, submit the family documentation together where possible, because each person may require a separate authorisation or supporting file.
Keep copies of every document, payment receipt and appointment confirmation. A missing apostille, an expired criminal-record certificate or an unclear address can create avoidable delays. If your case involves a company, international income or several nationalities, an immigration adviser or gestor can help confirm the file before submission.
Register with your parish comú
Immigration authorisation and municipal registration are separate steps. Once you have the appropriate residence authorisation and an address, register on the padró comunal at the comú of the parish where you live, such as Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Canillo, Encamp or Sant Julià de Lòria. The comú will explain its appointment process and the documents it wants for your household and accommodation.
Parish registration is practical as well as administrative. It helps establish your local address and may be relevant when accessing municipal services, schooling or other procedures. If you move to another parish, notify the relevant comús and update your address rather than leaving the old registration unchanged.
Complete your everyday registrations
Active workers generally need to be registered with CASS, which manages Andorra’s social security system. Confirm who is responsible for the registration: in an employment relationship, the employer normally handles key employment formalities, while self-employed residents may have their own obligations.
Set up utilities and communications in your name where appropriate. FEDA manages electricity services, while Andorra Telecom provides telecommunications. A utility or telecommunications contract is not a substitute for immigration approval, but it can help you organise a real, functioning home and keep useful address records.
Residency is not the same as tax residence
Holding an Andorran residence permit does not automatically settle your tax position. Tax residence is assessed under applicable rules, including your days in the country and the location of your main personal and economic interests. If you become tax resident, investigate obligations such as personal income tax and the treatment of foreign income. Businesses and professionals should also understand IGI, Andorra’s indirect tax, and obtain advice suited to their activity.
Before applying, make a checklist for your residency category, order legalised documents early, confirm current requirements with the Govern d’Andorra and contact your parish comú about padró registration. After moving, keep certificates, renewals, CASS records and tax documents together. When you are ready to settle in, browse local businesses in the directory for professional, household and everyday services across Andorra.
