Permanent Residence in Andorra

2 documented routes of this kind in Andorra, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.

Long-Term Established Residence (immobilitzat, Art. 62)

Andorra has no separate permanent-residence card; long-term stability is achieved through the 10-year established (immobilitzat) renewals available after 7 years of legal residence.

Processing time: Up to 2 months for renewals
Validity: 10-year established renewals after 7 years of legal residence
Language requirement: None for the renewal; Catalan B1 required for later naturalization
Citizenship: Naturalization generally after 20 years of residence

Requirements

7 years of continuous legal residence under the renewal ladder
Continued compliance with residence and registration obligations
Renewal application filed no more than 60 days before expiry

Required Documents

Renewal application form required
Valid passport/ID original + copy required
Signature document required
Recent photo 35x45 mm required
Current authorization card (or police report if lost/stolen) required
CASS points extract required
Comu residence certificate required

Official fees

Renewal fee 22.61 EUR

Process Steps

1

Maintain residence

Maintain continuous legal residence through the renewal ladder for 7 years.
2

File renewal

File the renewal in person no more than 60 days before expiry, paying the EUR 22.61 fee.
3

Access 10-year renewals

After year 7, access 10-year established (immobilitzat) renewals.

Official Sources

Renewal of residence and work authorization (A.2) Official
Immigration theme portal Official

Passive Residence – Scientific, Cultural or Sports Interest (Art. 101)

Andorra grants a distinct passive residence authorization to foreign nationals of internationally recognized standing in science, culture, or sport under Article 101 of the Llei qualificada d'immigració (Law 9/2012). Unlike the standard non-lucrative investor residence, this category does not require the €1,000,000 minimum investment and retains a lower, refundable AFA deposit (€47,500 principal + €9,500 per dependent) that was not converted to a non-refundable payment by Law 2/2026.

Processing time: Up to 2 months
Validity: Initial: 2 years; first renewal: 3 years; subsequent renewals: 10 years
Language requirement: No language requirement for the residence permit itself; Catalan B1 required for later naturalization (applicants under 70)
Permanent residence: Permanent/long-term residence possible after meeting cumulative legal residence thresholds under general immigration law
Citizenship: 20 years of legal residence; or 10 years of education in Andorra between ages 3 and 18

Requirements

International recognition in science, culture, or sport (honorary titles, awards, or equivalent international standing recognized by the Andorran Government)
Demonstrate that the professional activity in the relevant field is economically viable and provides adequate financial resources for the applicant and dependants
Establish principal and effective residence in Andorra for a minimum of 90 days per calendar year
Valid passport
Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled/legalized, translated into Catalan)
Private health insurance valid in Andorra (no access to CASS public health system under passive residence)
Proof of housing in Andorra (purchase deed or rental contract)
AFA refundable deposit: €47,500 (principal) + €9,500 per dependent
At most one salaried employee contracted (activity must generate 85%+ of services to non-residents, where applicable)

Required Documents

Valid passport (or national identity document for nationals of countries with bilateral agreements) required
Criminal record certificate from country/countries of residence in the past 5 years, apostilled and translated into Catalan required
Recent colour photograph (35×45 mm) required
Private health insurance policy valid in Andorra required
Proof of housing in Andorra: property deed or rental contract required
Documentation evidencing international recognition in science, culture, or sport (prizes, titles, rankings, contracts, press coverage, etc.) required
Documentation demonstrating economic viability of the professional activity and sufficient income required
Medical certificate issued by the Andorran Immigration Medical Service required
AFA deposit receipt (€47,500 principal + €9,500 per dependent) required

Official fees

Government processing fee — principal applicant 2,500 EUR
Government processing fee — each dependent 500 EUR
AFA refundable deposit — principal applicant 47,500 EUR
AFA refundable deposit — each dependent acquiring residence 9,500 EUR

Process Steps

1

Prepare documentation

Gather all required documents including apostilled criminal record, proof of international recognition, health insurance, housing proof, and financial viability evidence. All documents not in Catalan must be translated.
2

Submit application to Immigration Service

Lodge the initial authorization request (D.1 Residència sense treball — autorització inicial) at the Andorran Immigration Service (Servei d'Immigració). The Government assesses the applicant's international standing on a discretionary basis.
3

Pay AFA deposit

Upon submission, pay the refundable AFA deposit: €47,500 for the principal applicant plus €9,500 for each dependent. The deposit is refundable if residence is terminated in accordance with the rules.
4

Await resolution

The maximum processing period is 2 months. The Government may request additional documentation on the applicant's international recognition or income viability.
5

Collect residence card and register

Upon approval, collect the residence card (valid 2 years for the initial authorization) and register at the local commune (comú) within the required period.

Official Sources

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