Hiring in Andorra: Work Permits, Quotas & EOR Compliance Guide 2026

Processing time: several weeks to 2 months. Permit type: Active Residency Permit. Issuing authority: Servei d’Immigració d’Andorra. Last reviewed: May 2026.

Andorra operates one of the most tightly controlled foreign worker admission systems in Europe. Every work permit is subject to an annual government quota — the cupo — and priority access to those quota slots is reserved for nationals of Spain, France, and Portugal before all other foreign nationals. For employers, this means the question is not just whether a candidate qualifies, but whether a quota slot exists in the relevant sector at the time of application. Understanding this constraint is the starting point for any work permit process in Andorra.

Andorra’s quota system: what every employer must understand first

What is the cupo and how does it affect your application?

Each year, the Andorran government sets a fixed number of work authorisations — the cupo — distributed across sectors based on assessed national workforce needs. The quota determines how many foreign nationals can be granted Active Residency Permits in a given period. Once the quota for a sector is exhausted, no further permits will be issued for that sector until the following quota period, regardless of how well-prepared the employer’s application is.

The government publishes quota allocations through the Immigration Service. Employers should verify current quota availability in the relevant sector before beginning the application process. Attempting to file when the quota is closed wastes preparation time and delays the hire.

Priority order for quota allocation: Andorran nationals and permanent residents are considered first. Among foreign nationals, citizens of Spain, France, and Portugal receive priority access to quota slots before nationals of other countries. Non-EU, non-priority nationals are considered last and face the most constrained access to available quota.

Work authorisation types in Andorra

Andorra offers distinct permit categories depending on the nature and duration of the employment. For standard expatriate employment, the Active Residency Permit is the relevant route.

Active Residency Permit

The primary permit for foreign nationals employed by an Andorran company on a long-term basis. Covers both the right to reside and the right to work in Andorra. Tied to a specific employer — a change of employer requires a new application. Initially valid for one year, with structured renewal periods.

Temporary Immigration Authorisation (seasonal)

For foreign workers in sectors with defined seasonal patterns — primarily tourism, hospitality, and ski industry roles. Valid for the duration of the relevant season. Non-EU nationals applying for a seasonal permit must demonstrate at least two years of prior professional experience in the relevant occupation.

Recruitment at Origin (collective processing)

Introduced by the Andorra Omnibus Law 2026 (effective 13 February 2026). Allows employers to collectively process multiple foreign worker applications from the employees’ home country, streamlining urgent or seasonal hiring needs. Particularly relevant for employers needing to onboard several workers simultaneously without each travelling to Andorra individually at the application stage.

Passive Residency Permit

For foreign nationals residing in Andorra without working for an Andorran employer — typically investors, retirees, or remote workers employed by companies outside Andorra. Does not confer the right to work for an Andorran entity. Not relevant for employer-sponsored expatriate employment.

Active Residency — Self-Employed

For foreign nationals establishing or operating a business in Andorra. Requires a minimum 20% ownership stake in a registered Andorran company. Under the Andorra Omnibus Law 2026 (effective 13 February 2026), the €50,000 payment to the Andorran Financial Authority (AFA) is now a definitive, non-refundable state fee — no longer a refundable deposit. It is only returned if the initial application is denied. Not applicable for standard expatriate employment relationships.

How to get an Active Residency Permit in Andorra: the employer process

The Active Residency Permit process is initiated and largely driven by the employer. The employee cannot apply independently — a valid employment contract from a legally constituted Andorran entity is a prerequisite for the entire process.

1. Verify quota availability and confirm need for foreign hire. Before preparing any documentation, the employer must confirm that a quota slot is available for the relevant sector in the current period. The employer must also be prepared to demonstrate that the position cannot be filled by a local candidate — nationals of Andorra, Spain, France, and Portugal must be considered first. This is not a formal labour market test with a certificate, but the employer is expected to justify the foreign hire to the Immigration Service. Check quota availability before starting documentation.
2. Prepare and sign the employment contract. A formal employment contract between the Andorran employer and the foreign employee must be signed before the permit application is submitted. The contract must comply with Andorran labour law requirements on salary, working hours, and conditions. The employer’s CASS social security registration number and commercial register number are required at this stage. Employer action — contract required before application submission.
3. Submit the application to the Servei d’Immigració d’Andorra. The employer submits the complete application package to the Immigration Service of Andorra. Applications must be submitted in person at the Immigration Service office located in Andorra la Vella. The application form must be completed and signed by both the employer and the employee. All foreign official documents must be apostilled under the Hague Convention or duly legalised — uncertified documents will not be accepted. In-person submission — Immigration Service, Andorra la Vella.
4. Employee undergoes mandatory medical examination in Andorra. A medical examination carried out by an Andorran doctor or Immigration Service-approved medical centre is a mandatory requirement. The examination must take place in Andorra — a medical certificate from the employee’s home country is not a valid substitute. The medical clearance certificate issued after the examination forms part of the permit application. Must be conducted in Andorra — home country certificates not accepted.
5. Permit issued and CASS registration completedUpon approval, the Immigration Service issues the Active Residency Permit. The employer must register the employee with CASS — Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social — upon arrival and before work commences. CASS registration is a legal obligation and a condition of the permit. Failure to register with CASS exposes the employer to compliance penalties. Employer obligation — CASS registration mandatory before work starts.

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Step	Timeframe/Location	Description
Quota check	First	Verify sector quota before any prep
Documentation	2–4 weeks	Apostille, contract, documents gathered
Processing	Weeks to 2 months	Immigration Service review
Medical exam	In Andorra	Required — no home country substitute

Active Residency Permit validity and renewal

The Active Residency Permit follows a structured renewal ladder. Employers should plan for renewal timelines and ensure applications are submitted before the current permit expires to avoid gaps in the employee’s legal right to work.

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Stage	Timeframe	Details
Initial Permit	Year 1	Valid for 1 year from date of issue.
Renewals	2-year cycles	Renewable for up to three cycles. Catalan language proficiency is being phased in; language preparation should begin during the initial period.
Professional Mobility	After ~5 years (3 renewals)	Non-EU nationals face a cap on changing professional sectors (Omnibus Law 2026). Sector changes require a new application before this threshold.
Long-term Permit	After 7 years	Eligible for a long-term permit with extended validity.
Nationality	After 20 years	Eligible for Andorran nationality (10 years for graduates of Andorran universities).

The permit is tied to the sponsoring employer. If the employee changes employer, a new Active Residency Permit application must be filed. Employers should be aware that renewal applications are also subject to quota availability at the time of renewal.

Documents required for an Active Residency Permit in Andorra

Documentation is collected from both the employer and the employee. All foreign official documents must carry a Hague Convention apostille or be duly legalised. Criminal record certificates must have been issued within three months of the application date.

Employer documents

Required Document	Notes
Completed and signed immigration authorisation application form	Signed by both employer and employee; available from the Immigration Service
Signed employment contract	Must reflect Andorran labour law requirements on salary, hours, and conditions
Proof of employer’s legal registration	Commercial register number and proof of legally constituted Andorran company status
CASS employer registration number	The employer must be registered with Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social

Employee documents

Required Document	Notes
Valid passport — original and photocopy	EU/EEA nationals may alternatively submit a valid national identity card
Criminal record certificate — country of origin	Must be apostilled; issued within 3 months of application date; must show no criminal record
Criminal record certificate — country of nationality	Required separately if different from country of origin; same apostille and recency requirements
Criminal record certificates — all countries of previous residence	One certificate per country of previous residence; all must be apostilled
Proof of accommodation in Andorra	Rental contract, property title, or certificate of accommodation in a public establishment. If the applicant is not the named tenant or owner, a domicile certificate is also required.
Medical clearance certificate	Issued by an Andorran doctor or Immigration Service-approved medical centre — home country certificates not accepted
One colour passport photograph	Dimensions: 35mm × 45mm; taken within the previous 6 months; full face visible, head uncovered
Proof of marital status	If single: official certificate of single status or sworn declaration signed by the applicant
Birth certificate	May be required — confirm with the Immigration Service at time of application
Educational and professional qualifications	Relevant to the role; foreign qualifications should be apostilled
Previous Andorra CASS points extract	Required only if the applicant has previously worked in Andorra

Why Active Residency Permit applications in Andorra get rejected or delayed

Most common causes of refusal and delay:

• Application submitted when the sector quota has already been exhausted for the period
• Criminal record certificate issued more than three months before the application date
• Foreign official documents submitted without a Hague Convention apostille or legalisation
• Medical examination attempted using a home country certificate rather than an Andorran examination
• Proof of accommodation insufficient — missing domicile certificate when applicant is not the named tenant
• Employer not registered with CASS at the time of application submission
• Employment contract terms not compliant with Andorran labour law minimums
• Passport photograph not meeting the 35mm × 45mm specification or taken more than 6 months prior
• Post-Omnibus Law 2026: Non-EU national attempting a sector change before the 3-renewal threshold has been met, now requires a new application process.

Andorra immigration at a glance — updated for 2026

The Andorra Omnibus Law 2026, effective 13 February 2026, introduced several material changes to the immigration framework. The table below reflects the current position.

Feature	Current requirement / detail
Primary legislation	Andorra Omnibus Law 2026 (effective 13 February 2026), amending the Qualified Immigration Law
AFA contribution (self-employed)	€50,000 — now a definitive non-refundable state fee, not a deposit. Returned only if the initial application is denied.
New permit type	Recruitment at Origin — collective processing of multiple employees from their home country
Experience requirement (non-EU)	6 years for permanent Active Residency; 2 years for seasonal Temporary Authorisation
Professional mobility (non-EU)	3-renewal restriction (~5 years) before sector change is permitted
Language requirement	Catalan proficiency being phased in for permit renewals — not required at initial application stage
Quota system	Annual cupo — sector-based; priority: Andorrans → Spanish/French/Portuguese → other EU → non-EU
Medical examination	Mandatory — must be conducted in Andorra; home country certificates not accepted

What it means for Acumen International to act as your employer of record in Andorra

Andorran immigration law is explicit: only a legally constituted Andorran company can act as the sponsoring employer for an Active Residency Permit. A foreign company without an Andorran entity cannot sign the employment contract that the permit requires, cannot provide the CASS employer registration number, and cannot appear on the application form as the employing entity. The permit process simply cannot begin without an Andorran employer in that position.

When Acumen International acts as your Employer of Record in Andorra, we occupy that employer position. The employment contract is between Acumen and your worker. We provide the CASS registration credentials, submit the application as the named employing entity, and carry full employer-of-record liability under Andorran labour law — including payroll processing, social security contributions, and ongoing compliance with employment regulations.

Your business directs the worker’s day-to-day activity under a separate commercial arrangement. The legal employment relationship, and the obligations that flow from it under Andorran law, sit entirely with us.

Official government resources

1. Servei d’Immigració d’Andorra — Immigration Service

Official portal for all immigration procedures in Andorra. Application forms, quota information, and procedural guidance published here.

2. Govern d’Andorra — Immigration section

Official government portal covering immigration law, quota management, and residency procedures.

3. Electronic procedures portal — Active Residency application (G.1)

Official procedural documentation for the temporary immigration authorisation (active residency application form and requirements).

4. CASS — Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social

Andorra’s social security authority. Employer and employee CASS registration, contribution rates, and compliance requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What type of permit does a foreign employee need to work in Andorra?

Foreign nationals employed by an Andorran company require an Active Residency Permit — a combined work and residence authorisation issued by the Servei d’Immigració d’Andorra. It is distinct from a passive residency permit, which does not confer the right to work for an Andorran employer. Seasonal workers require a Temporary Immigration Authorisation, time-limited to the relevant season.

Who submits the work permit application in Andorra — the employer or the employee?

The process is employer-led. The Andorran employer initiates the application, demonstrates the need for a foreign hire, provides the signed employment contract and CASS registration details, and submits the full application to the Immigration Service. The employee cannot apply independently — a valid offer from a legally constituted Andorran employer is a prerequisite for the entire process.

What is the quota system for work permits in Andorra?

Andorra operates an annual quota — the cupo — that sets a fixed ceiling on work authorisations per sector. Once a sector’s quota is exhausted, no further permits are issued for that period. Quota allocation prioritises Andorran nationals and permanent residents first, then Spanish, French, and Portuguese nationals, before other foreign nationals. Employers must verify quota availability before beginning the application process.

How long does it take to get a work permit in Andorra?

Processing times for an Active Residency Permit range from several weeks to approximately two months from the date of a complete application submission, depending on the volume of applications at the Immigration Service. Seasonal Temporary Immigration Authorisations process more quickly — often within a week when documentation is complete. Total lead time including document preparation and apostille authentication should be budgeted at a minimum of two to three months.

Is a medical examination mandatory for a work permit in Andorra?

Yes. A mandatory medical examination is required and must be carried out by an Andorran doctor or at an Immigration Service-approved medical centre. A medical certificate from the applicant’s home country is not accepted as a substitute. The examination is conducted in Andorra, which means the employee must travel to Andorra as part of the application process.

What is CASS and why does it matter for work permits in Andorra?

CASS — Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social — is Andorra’s social security system. Employer CASS registration is a prerequisite for the work permit application; the employer’s CASS number is required on the application form. Employee CASS registration must be completed upon arrival and before the employee starts work. Failure to maintain CASS compliance exposes the employer to penalties and can affect the permit’s validity.

Do criminal record certificates need to be apostilled for an Andorra work permit?

Yes. All foreign official documents submitted to the Andorran Immigration Service — including criminal record certificates — must be authenticated with the Hague Convention apostille or duly legalised. Certificates are required from the applicant’s country of origin, country of nationality, and every country of previous residence. Each certificate must have been issued within three months of the application date.

What did the Andorra Omnibus Law 2026 change for work permits?

The Andorra Omnibus Law 2026, effective 13 February 2026, made four material changes. The €50,000 AFA contribution for self-employed active residency is now a definitive non-refundable state fee — previously it was a refundable deposit, and is only returned if the initial application is denied. A new Recruitment at Origin permit category enables collective processing of multiple employees from their home country, simplifying large or urgent hiring needs. Non-EU nationals now face a 3-renewal restriction before they can change their professional sector. And Catalan language proficiency is being phased in as a requirement for permit renewals, though it is not required at the initial application stage.

Can a foreign company employ workers in Andorra without a local entity?

Yes — through a Global Employer of Record in Andorra. Andorran immigration law requires the sponsoring employer to be a legally constituted Andorran company. An EOR with an Andorran entity occupies that position, providing the employment contract, CASS registration, and full employer-of-record liability. The foreign company directs the worker’s output under a separate commercial arrangement without needing its own Andorran registration.

Important: Acumen International operates as a Global Employer of Record and supports businesses deploying their own expatriate employees in Andorra. Our involvement in the immigration process flows directly from our role as the registered employing entity — specifically, Active Residency Permit sponsorship and employment compliance. We do not provide standalone immigration legal advice and do not assist individuals seeking employment in Andorra independently.