There really isn’t anything else in the world like a holiday in Andorra, the microstate in the heart of the Pyrenees that boats some of the most beautiful ski slopes in the world. Located in between Spain and France, Andorra is in the middle of western Europe and, therefore, an attractive destination for skiers from various different countries, with more than eight million people estimated to visit the principality per year. The influx of tourists to Andorra is made possible because the Andorra entry requirements are very relaxed.
In this post, we’ll outline all you need to know about travel to Andorra, in particular the current Andorra visa requirements.
Do I need a visa for Andorra?
As mentioned above, the Andorra entry requirements are not strict, so most people can enter the country without any complications at all, so long as they have a passport in force or a valid ID card. The Andorra government website makes it very clear that there is no need for a visa, as the first line on its “Travel to Andorra” page is: “The Principality of Andorra does not require any type of visa.”
However, the Andorra government website does point out that you’ll have to pass through Spain or France in order to reach Andorra, since there is no airport inside the Andorran borders, with the Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell Airport actually located on Spanish soil some 18km from the microstate. Most flights to there also originate from Spain, usually from Madrid’s airport, while many people travel to Andorra via Barcelona’s airport.
Therefore, some people may require a visa to pass through Spain or France, depending on their own nationality. If travelling to Andorra from UK, you still don’t need a visa to pass through the EU, not even after Brexit.
Passport requirements for Andorra
For EU citizens, you don’t even need a passport to enter Andorra, as a national ID card is enough to reach the principality thanks to Schengen Area agreements. That said, most EU visitors to Andorra who already have a passport are advised to bring it with them, just in case there are any complications along the way.
Passport requirements for UK citizens
Given that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, you might be wondering what the current passport requirements for visiting Andorra are for British citizens. The answer is that the requirements are the same as those for the rest of the Schengen Area. In other words, your UK passport should have a date of issue less than 10 years before the day you’ll arrive and have a date of expiry more than three months after the day you’ll leave the microstate.
Passport requirements for US citizens
When it comes to passport requirements for US citizens visiting Andorra, these are very similar to those for UK citizens. You need to be able to visit the Schengen Area and you need to have at least three months remaining before your expiry date, while six months is recommended. There isn’t always an Andorra stamp put on your passport, since it’s not needed, but you can get one if you ask.
How to apply for an Andorra visa (if needed)
The above, including the fact that no visa of any type is required to enter Andorra, is all relevant for tourist visits to Andorra. However, if you plan to travel to Andorra for longer than 90 days then you may need an Andorra visa.
Where to apply for an Andorra visa
The process of applying for an Andorra visa can be started at an Andorra embassy or via the Andorra government website. Securing an Andorra resident visa will then permit you to stay for longer than the usual 90-day tourist allowance.
Required documents for an Andorra visa application
There is more than one type of Andorra resident visa, depending on if you’re looking to secure Andorra passive residency or Andorra active residency. These depend on if or how you plan to work while in Andorra and there is slightly different documentation for each.
Andorra visa processing time and fees
If you decide you do want to apply for an Andorra resident visa, there are several third parties who can offer help and support. They each charge different fees and promise different Andorra visa processing times.
Are there any Covid restrictions in Andorra right now?
When it comes to coronavirus-related entry requirements, Andorra is an easy country to travel to given that there are zero Andorra Covid entry requirements, at the time of writing in mid-2024.
Again, you will have to consider the neighbouring countries that you may pass through as you complete your travel to Andorra, but there are still no special Andorra entry requirements from Spain or France when it comes to Covid, and these two countries also have fairly open borders at this time.
It's also worth knowing that, even after considering Andorra entry requirements, Covid rules aren’t a big thing inside the principality either. The Andorra government website explains that most COVID-19 measures have been removed. For example, facemasks are no longer required in Andorra except in a few healthcare settings.
Therefore, you can enter Andorra without having to worry about vaccine passports or passenger locator forms or anything like that. Instead, you can focus on packing ahead of your trip and on enjoying the skiing.