living in Andorra guide on residency relocation advice

On The 16th November 2011 the Andorran Government issued a new quota of 500 permits for residency. Each family counts as just 1 for the purpose of the quota. I estimate with the current rate of applications, the current quota should not expire before 2014, but be aware of an ongoing review which may result in changes to the application procedure.

a) An applicant must be over 18 years old. I have been asked about the upper age limit, say for retired couples. There is no official upper age limit with Immigration; there may be a problem with obtaining medical cover to overcome, each on a case by case basis, as in c) below.

b) You must demonstrate sufficient capital, currently 3 times the annual minimum monthly wage of €951.60 (€11,419.20 per year) as at 1st Jan 2012, amounting to a total of €34,257.60. For each additional family member, applicants will require an additional 100 % of the minimum annual wage or in real terms, €11,419.20 for each person within the family (including ALL children regardless of age). This is proven by a local bank certificate which states that the required funds have been deposited in an Andorran bank.

c) You require private medical insurance to satisfy the Immigration requirements for medical coverage in Andorra. (This is not so straightforward as the company will be required to sign a declaration and many companies will not sign it) Medical Insurance that covers Immigration requirements is readily available with a local company and costs about €870 to €1050 per person per year but which premium depends on age bands. There is a flexible upper age limit to be accepted into this scheme really depending on individual circumstances on a case by case basis. We can discuss this if required.

d) You will be required to pay to the Government a fully refundable but non-interest bearing bond of €30,000 for the head of household plus €7,000 for each member of the household. (Please note that the funds that were deposited to obtain the bank certificate in b) above CAN be used to pay the bond in some circumstances which I can advise on). This bond is fully refundable when you decide to leave Andorra; I can assist in obtaining the necessary documentation which you need to complete before the Government refund the bond to you.

e) You are required to purchase or rent a property in Andorra, the choice is yours and contrary to misinformation there is absolutely no requirement to buy, nor are you given priority depending on how much rent you pay !

f) You will be required to sign a declaration that you will reside for a minimum of 183 days per year in Andorra, or at least in principle as there at present are no checks made.

g) If you intend relocating with children, please see my new section for relocating to Andorra as a family.

h) If you are a national of any of the former Eastern European States (Eastern Bloc) then you will require considerably more documentary proof in support of your application. The requirements now demanded by Immigration for nationals of these countries are onerous and time consuming, we will need to discuss these requirements in detail, please contact me. Eastern Bloc countries unfortunately still include Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and The Baltic States amongst others, and regardless of their relationship or membership of the EU. If you are married to a national of these countries there may be no further documents required but this will depend on certain circumstances upon which I can advise and, if necessary, obtain the position on your circumstances from Immigration in advance.

i) To relocate with a spouse you must prove that you are still married, and I can advise on this relatively simple process. You should note that Immigration does not recognise the status of "partner" nor fiancé (e). As an unmarried couple you can apply together but you will be required to pay the single bond each of € 30,000. (Once married or a civil partnership carried out in Andorra you can apply for the refund as you would have paid € 37,000 together as a married couple).

a) Contact me for preliminary advice. This can be important and have a bearing on which documents you may or may not be requiring, and also to discuss the medical insurance, and property requirements.

a) Apply for a police reports from your country of birth, the country of the passport with which you intend to apply, if different from your country of birth (not always, I would need to advise you on that depending on your circumstances), and the country where you currently reside, again if different from your country of birth (BUT speak to me first, this may not be necessary). Also be reminded that from the date of issue of this document the clock is ticking and you have 3 months from the date of issue of the police certificates to complete and present all the correct documents to Immigration, failing which you will be required to apply for new police certificates. Please click here for information on how to obtain police reports and have them Apostillised. Please also note that one or more previous convictions does not at all prevent you from applying for residency and, unless very serious, should not hinder your application. Clean police reports do NOT have to be translated if in Spanish, French, or English, but if there are previous convictions, they will need to be translated into Catalan (this is better done in Andorra by an official translator).

b) At the same time of legalising the police report(s) you should apostillise your marriage certificate whether or not your spouse is accompanying you. There is a difference here, if your spouse is not accompanying you then just have your original marriage certificate apostillised, but if she is accompanying you then you must apply to your registry for a NEW certified copy which must have the issue date and then this certficate has the three month from date of issue rule as with police reports.

c) If you are intending to relocate with children you will need to apostillise/legalise birth certificates and apply for other documents required for children, please see the page on relocating with children.

Whilst you are waiting to obtain these documents you should consider a preliminary visit to Andorra to:-

a) Meet with me to explain and assist in completing the documents since they are all done in Catalan. At that point also we can go over and clarify all other outstanding requirements. If you have not visited Andorra before I will arrange places for you to visit to get a feel for the country.

b) We will open a bank account in Andorra.

c) We will look at property and set in motion any purchase or rental agreement based on property requirements for which I will have prepared a shortlist of viewings for you.

d) We will visit the insurance company locally to arrange for cover and obtain the certificate required for Immigration, if your private insurance company has indeed refused to sign this declaration to which many insurers feel that they cannot commit themselves.

e) We will obtain and complete the relevant documents and declarations from Immigration.

f) If required, we will arrange removals of your effects to Andorra, using a local company is advised rather than an international organisation as the local company can advise on documentation required as a passive resident.

g) If required we can discuss the import of a car from your current country of residence.

a) Deposit the necessary funds in your bank account here that you opened and we will obtain a certificate from the bank that such funds are available in the account.

b) We will arrange a meeting with the Immigration Officer responsible for passive residency where you will need to produce together with all other documents your original passport(s) and recent passport sized photograph.

c) As at 06 November 2010 the procedure for a medical has been greatly simplified. You are now required to attend an interview with a Doctor at Immigration who with the exception of some existing medical conditions will generally approve there and then the application.

d) As soon as the medical interview is passed the funds for the Government bond will then need to be transferred to the Government. This CANNOT be done online as you need to produce (Or I can take on your behalf) the original transfer advice at Immigration.

Once the medical interview is complete I can on your behalf complete the application for you by collecting the residency card in two to three weeks, and looking after utility contracts and other miscellaneous matters that do not necessarily require your physical presence here.