Moving abroad is never something you improvise — especially when taxation, residency status and family life are at stake. The good news: in Andorra, the path is clearly marked. This guide walks you through the four key stages, from choosing your residency to settling in.
1. Choosing your residency: active or passive
Everything starts here. Active residency is designed for those who will work in Andorra — setting up a company, practising as a self-employed professional or working as an employee. It requires a presence of at least 183 days per year and grants access to the social security system (CASS).
Passive residency is aimed at those who wish to settle without working there (investors, people of independent means, active retirees). It requires an investment in the country (1 M€ in Andorran assets, or 400 000 € in the Housing Fund), a non-refundable contribution to the AFA, and a presence of just 90 days per year.
2. Taxation: what you keep
This is often the trigger. Andorra's personal income tax (IRPF) is capped at 10 %: 0 % up to 24 000 €, 5 % up to 40 000 €, then 10 %. There is no wealth tax, no inheritance tax. For business owners, corporate tax stands at 10 % and dividends from Andorran sources are exempt. Full details in our tax advantages guide.
What to plan before you leave
- The type of residency (active or passive) that matches your project
- The required presence: 183 days (active) or 90 days (passive)
- Any required investment (1 M€, or 400 000 € in the Housing Fund) for passive residency
- Health insurance covering Andorra and accommodation on the ground
- A living budget of approximately 2 000 to 3 000 € per month for a couple
3. Housing, healthcare, schooling
Relocating means building a daily life too. The real estate market is competitive and sought-after — preparation is essential (see our guide on investing in real estate). On the healthcare side, the Andorran system (CASS) is efficient and French-speaking, complemented by private insurance. On education, three systems coexist — Andorran, French (free of charge) and Spanish — and children grow up trilingual. Find out more about everyday life in our guide to living in Andorra.
4. The timeline of a successful relocation
In practice: you first confirm your eligibility and strategy, then build your file (passport, criminal record, supporting documents, insurance), put your business or investment in place, submit your immigration application, and finally obtain your resident card and move in. Allow a few weeks to a few months depending on your profile. A single dedicated point of contact coordinates the entire process — that is the real value of expert guidance. To choose that point of contact, apply our criteria for choosing the right gestoria.
Andorra rewards those who truly commit to living there. Well prepared, your relocation becomes a smooth life change, not an obstacle course.
