---
title: "Andorra work permit 2026: requirements, quota and duration"
url: https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/work-permit
description: "Work permit in Andorra: a contract with an Andorran employer, a quota of 900 permits until 30 April 2027, duration, Catalan A1 then A2."
updated: 2026-10-11
language: en
publisher: Andorre Fiscal (https://andorrefiscal.fr)
---

# Work permit in Andorra: the residence and work permit

> Markdown version of the page https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/work-permit (Andorre Fiscal), up to date as of 11 October 2026. To cite this page, use its address: https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/work-permit

To work in Andorra, you first need a job offer from an Andorran company, then a work permit (the residence and work permit), granted within the limit of an annual quota. Here are the conditions in force at 11 October 2026, the procedure, the renewal rules, the other authorisations (cross-border, seasonal) and what employees pay in contributions and tax.

By [the Andorre Fiscal editorial team](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/about#redaction) · Verified on 11 October 2026 · [15 official sources](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/work-permit#sources)

- **900** work permits until 30 April 2027, cross-border workers included
- **1 year** duration of the first authorisation
- **6.5%** of gross salary paid to the CASS by the employee
- **A1 then A2** in Catalan at the first two renewals

## Key points

- The Andorran work permit, the residence and work permit, is based on a contract with an Andorran company; the employer must first show that the post cannot be filled on the local market.
- It is limited by the general quota: 900 authorisations set on 7 October 2026 until 30 April 2027, including 702 for residents and 198 for cross-border workers, minus the 250 already granted in June.
- The first authorisation lasts one year, with no change of sector and no self-employed activity; three two-year renewals follow, then ten-year renewals.
- Catalan is required on renewal: level A1 the first time, A2 the second.
- Employees pay 6.5% of their gross salary to the CASS and pay personal income tax (IRPF), which does not apply to the first €24,000 of the general tax base.
- Seasonal work requires a temporary authorisation and quotas specific to each season; cross-border workers, who live outside Andorra, have their own authorisation.

## How do you obtain a work permit in Andorra?

In Andorra, the job comes before the residence permit. A tourist can stay for 90 days but is not allowed to work (Llei 9/2012, art. 16 and 17). The work permit, the residence and work permit, is applied for on the basis of a contract with a company legally established in Andorra; the official e-tràmits page specifies that it must be a permanent contract.

The law then sets up a double priority:

- **the local market first**: before submitting the application, the employer must show that the post cannot be filled from the domestic labour market and complete the required steps with the public employment service (art. 36);
- **an order between nationalities**: authorisations go first to nationals of states linked to Andorra by an agreement, such as France, Spain and Portugal, then to those of the European Union and the European Economic Area, and finally to others (art. 40).

> Amb anterioritat a la presentació d’una sol·licitud d’autorització d’immigració, l’empresa sol·licitant ha d’acreditar justificadament que la seva demanda no pot ser satisfeta pel mercat de treball interior […] (before submitting an application for an immigration authorisation, the applicant company must show, with supporting evidence, that its demand cannot be met by the domestic labour market […]).
>
> — [Llei 9/2012, qualified law on immigration, Article 36](https://www.portaljuridicandorra.ad/L2012009)

For nationals of other countries, the Govern may reserve places, provided that the candidate can show a high level of specialisation or experience suited to the post, and a commensurate salary (art. 41). The experience requirements of the quota in force are detailed below.

Two further rules: the employee may not hold more than 5% of the capital of the company that hires them (art. 38), and their working and pay conditions may not be less favourable than those of nationals and residents (art. 47). The [minimum wage](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/glossary#smi) has been €9.05 an hour since 1 July 2026, i.e. €1,568.67 a month: see the [minimum wage in Andorra in 2026](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/news/andorra-minimum-wage-2026).

## Immigration quota: how many work permits until April 2027?

On 7 October 2026, the Govern approved a new general [quota](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/glossary#quota) of residence and work permits and cross-border work authorisations, in force since 8 October and valid until 30 April 2027.

- **authorisations in totaluntil 30 April 2027**: 900
- **residence and work**: 702
- **cross-border work**: 198

Not all of these 900 places are available: the 250 authorisations granted in June 2026 by Decree 231/2026, which had extended the previous quota once it was exhausted, are deducted from them. About 650 are said to remain, according to the Diari d’Andorra. The previous quota, approved on 29 April 2026, had 800 places (624 and 176), 11% fewer than the 900 of 2025.

The experience requirements vary by nationality:

- **Spanish, French and Portuguese nationals**: no experience required;
- **other Europeans**: experience in the sector, or a training plan guaranteed by the employer;
- **other nationals**: 6 years of experience or a qualification specific to the sector.

The Govern may increase the quota by up to 30% and close or reopen certain occupations depending on the state of the labour market. Applications are processed in strict order of receipt (art. 35), and lack of places is a ground for refusal (art. 49).

> **Caution: A quota quickly used up**
>
> The spring 2026 quota was exhausted in June, after 890 applications. It is best to submit the application as soon as the job offer is confirmed. The figures and how they have changed are in our news item on the [October 2026 immigration quota](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/news/andorra-immigration-quota-2026).

## The application and the procedure: what the employer does

The employer takes the first steps: formalities with the employment service, employment contract, certificate of the professional and pay conditions, then payment of the fee. The application is submitted in person at the Immigration Service, by appointment. The e-tràmits page “A.1” lists, among others, the following documents:

- application form and valid passport (identity card possible for Europeans);
- criminal record certificates from the country of origin, the country of nationality and every country of residence, with a sworn statement;
- recent passport-style photo, proof of housing and civil status documents;
- curriculum vitae and diplomas;
- employment contract and certificate of the professional and pay conditions;
- CASS points statement if you have already worked in Andorra;
- forms for the medical examination and for registration with the comú.

Official foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised. The candidate undergoes an examination by the immigration medical service, which checks their fitness to reside and to work (art. 44). The fee of €190.96 is payable by the employer (art. 153): see the [immigration fees and the cost of each permit](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/costs-afa-deposit). The maximum response time shown is 60 working days. Once the authorisation has been granted, you have 3 months to register with the [comú](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/glossary#comu) of your parish and provide proof of it (art. 22 bis). The steps are detailed in our guide to the [procedures and timescales for a residence application](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/application-process).

## What the first year prohibits

The first authorisation lasts one year. During this period, you must maintain the conditions that justified the authorisation: no change of economic sector, no self-employed activity (art. 28). An exception exists, with prior authorisation, in the event of an urgent need for staff in health or education.

The consequences are serious: changing sector in the first year is a ground for refusing renewal (art. 67), and working for yourself during that year may lead to the cancellation of the authorisation (art. 73). To work for yourself later, you will need to obtain another authorisation: see [Active (self-employed) residency](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/self-employed-residency).

> **Good to know: If you lose your job**
>
> Periods without work count as effective work up to a limit of 60 consecutive days and 90 days per calendar year, provided that you register with the public employment service (art. 52). Beyond that, renewal is at risk; the law gives you until the authorisation expires to return to a compliant work situation (art. 55).

## Renewals, Catalan and the ten-year permit

Three two-year renewals lead to the ten-year permit, granted seven years after the initial authorisation (art. 28):

From the first permit to the ten-year permit

1. Initial authorisation

   One year, with no change of sector.
2. First renewal

   Two years. [Catalan](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/glossary#catalan) at level **A1** required.
3. Second renewal

   Two years. Catalan at level **A2** required.
4. Third renewal

   Two years.
5. After 7 years

   Ten-year permit, which can be refused only on grounds of public order or interruption of residence (art. 62).

According to the e-tràmits page, the application must be submitted within the 60 days before expiry, with the current card, the certificate of residence from the comú, the CASS points statement and, at the first renewal, payslips; the fee is €22.61. You must have resided and worked in Andorra permanently and effectively: holidays, sick leave and certain assignments abroad count (art. 52 and 53).

Catalan is proven by an official diploma of the Govern or a recognised equivalent qualification (art. 54 bis and 58). Level A1 has been required for the first renewals since 26 April 2026; before that, attending a course was enough (see our news item on [Catalan A1 required for renewal](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/news/catalan-required-for-permit-renewal)). Conversely, a good knowledge of the language, institutions and history of the country can give direct access to the duration of the following renewal (art. 54).

> **Good to know: French and Spanish nationals: the longest permit after 5 years**
>
> French and Spanish nationals who can show 5 years of residence and activity in Andorra are entitled as of right, on renewal, to the longest permit provided for by Andorran law (Convention of 4 December 2000, art. 7). See [Renewal and permanent residency](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/renewal-permanent-residency).

Beyond that, only [Andorran nationality, available in principle after 20 years of residence](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/andorran-citizenship), removes the need to renew an authorisation; it requires you to renounce your nationality of origin.

## Contributions and tax on salary, in brief

The [CASS](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/glossary#cass), Andorran social security, takes 22% of gross salary: 6.5% paid by the employee (3% for the general branch, 3.5% for retirement) and 15.5% by the employer. [IRPF](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/glossary#irpf), personal income tax, has a statutory rate of 10%. A €24,000 tax-free allowance and a tax credit capped at €800 bring the effective rate down to zero up to €24,000 of net general tax base, to 5% between €24,000 and €40,000, and to 10% above that.

> **Example: Gross salary of €36,000 a year**
>
> Employee’s CASS contribution: €2,340. Net general tax base: 36,000 − 2,340 − 1,080 (3% flat-rate allowance) = €32,580. Tax: 10% of €8,580, i.e. €858, minus the 50% tax credit: **€429**. That leaves €33,231 after contributions and tax.
>
> Indicative calculation: gross salary minus the employee’s contribution and the 3% flat-rate allowance (capped at €2,500), €24,000 allowance then 10%, 50% tax credit capped at €800. Excluding other income and deductions.

An Andorran tax resident is taxed on their worldwide income. The details are in our guide [CASS: social security contributions](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/tax/social-security-cass). For the job market and salary levels, see [working in Andorra: jobs and salaries](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/living-in-andorra/jobs-and-salaries); for the full pathway, from job hunting to tax on the French side, [living and working in Andorra: the employee’s pathway](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/profiles/employee).

## Cross-border, seasonal, recruitment abroad: the other work authorisations

### Working in Andorra while living in France: the cross-border authorisation

A [cross-border worker](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/glossary#fronterer) works in Andorra but normally sleeps outside the country. Their authorisation, counted in the general quota (198 places until 30 April 2027), lasts one year and is then renewed for periods of three years (art. 24); since Llei 2/2026, they must prove their legal residence in the country where they are domiciled (art. 45 bis). They do not have the status of Andorran resident (art. 34). Contributions, taxes and procedures are detailed in our guide to [working in Andorra and living in France](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/cross-border-worker).

### Seasonal work

A job for the winter or summer season requires a temporary immigration authorisation, separate from the ordinary work permit. It requires a fixed-term contract with an Andorran company and a place in a special quota, which the Govern sets for a given season (Llei 9/2012, art. 23.7 and 26). Its duration is adjusted to the season; it is limited to an activity in a specific sector and cannot be extended. The fee is €190.96 (art. 154). Cross-border workers may likewise obtain a temporary cross-border work authorisation (art. 25).

- **authorisations for winter 2025–2026quotas approved on 15 October 2025**: 4,995
- **for summer 2026including 50 for temporary cross-border work**: 500

The quotas for winter 2025–2026 were divided between the hotel industry (3,366), the ski slopes (1,009), retail (455), cleaning (120) and travel agencies (45); the authorisations ran until 3 May or 15 June 2026 depending on the sector. Those for summer 2026, reserved for hotels and restaurants, are valid until 1 November 2026. For winter 2026–2027, the Economic and Social Council gave a favourable opinion on 6 October 2026 on regulations that provide for about 5,000 seasonal workers, as in previous seasons, before their approval by the Govern.

### Recruitment in the country of origin

Llei 2/2026 introduced a temporary immigration authorisation “through contractació en origen”: one or more employers jointly submit applications for workers selected in their home country, in order to speed up temporary recruitment (art. 26 ter). The procedures are laid down by regulation. According to the e-tràmits page, the scheme currently covers:

- nationals from outside the European Union, recruited in their own country by a company in the hotel industry;
- a fixed-term contract and an authorisation of 9 months at most, which cannot be extended (art. 26);
- 2 years of experience in the occupation;
- mandatory return to the country of origin at the end of the contract;
- applications open from 27 July 2026 to 31 March 2027.

The Govern has set the number of places in this pilot programme at 450, for authorisations falling between 1 December 2026 and 31 August 2027. The employer must cover at least 50% of the travel costs and provide suitable housing.

### Work without residence

Working from abroad for an Andorran company falls under another authorisation, known as work without residence, which in principle requires a fixed salary of more than three times the minimum wage (art. 28 bis and 38 bis). It gives no right to reside in Andorra.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do you need a work visa for Andorra?

Not in the sense of a visa: what you need is the Andorran work permit, the residence and work permit, applied for on the basis of a contract with an Andorran company. To enter Andorra, a national of the European Union or the European Economic Area needs only their identity card (art. 11); others must hold the visas required to enter, and return from, France or Spain. In all cases, the work permit remains compulsory.

### How long does it take to obtain a work permit?

The official e-tràmits page shows a maximum response time of 60 working days. On top of this come the employer’s preliminary steps with the employment service, as the employer must show that the post cannot be filled locally (art. 36), and the preparation of documents, such as apostilled criminal record certificates. An exhausted quota can also block the application.

[Read: Procedures and timescales › How long does it take to obtain residency?](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/application-process#delais)

### Do French nationals have priority in the quota?

Yes. Authorisations go first to nationals of states linked to Andorra by an agreement, such as France, Spain and Portugal, then to those of the European Union and the European Economic Area (art. 40). In the October 2026 quota, French, Spanish and Portuguese nationals do not have to show any experience; other Europeans must prove experience in the sector or a training plan, and other nationals 6 years of experience or a specific qualification. Applications are still processed in order of receipt (art. 35).

[Read: Immigration quota: 900 work permits until April 2027](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/news/andorra-immigration-quota-2026)

### Can you look for a job in Andorra while staying as a tourist?

You can stay for up to 90 days as a tourist and meet employers, but not work (Llei 9/2012, art. 17). The residence and work permit must be granted before the job starts; working without it puts you in an irregular situation.

### Do you need to speak Catalan to be hired?

The law does not require Catalan for the initial authorisation. It becomes compulsory on renewal: level A1 at the first, A2 at the second, proven by an official diploma of the Govern or a recognised equivalent qualification. It is best to start lessons as soon as you arrive.

[Read: Languages and integration › How can you learn Catalan in Andorra?](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/living-in-andorra/languages#apprendre)

### Can an employee set up their own company on the side?

Not during the first year, when any self-employed activity is prohibited (art. 28). After that, working for yourself requires the self-employed authorisation, with its own conditions, and a person can hold only one authorisation at a time (art. 20).

[Read: Self-employed residency](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/self-employed-residency)

### What happens in the event of dismissal?

Periods without work count as effective work up to a limit of 60 consecutive days and 90 days per calendar year, if you are registered with the public employment service (art. 52). Beyond that, renewal is jeopardised: find a new job before your authorisation expires.

[Read: Renewal › Presence and activity requirements](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/renewal-permanent-residency#presence)

### Will my spouse be able to join me and work?

Yes, through family reunification, after 3 months of legal and effective residence. If they present an employment contract, your spouse obtains a residence and work permit that is not subject to the quota (art. 42 and 110). You need sufficient resources and housing for the whole family.

[Read: Family reunification › Family reunification: who can come, and with what resources?](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/family-reunification#regroupement)

## Sources

1. [Llei 9/2012, qualified law on immigration, consolidated version](https://www.portaljuridicandorra.ad/L2012009) — Entry with an identity card (art. 11), special seasonal quotas (art. 23.7), cross-border workers (art. 24 and 25), temporary authorisation (art. 26), priority for the local market (art. 36), order of nationalities (art. 40 and 41), first year (art. 28), renewal (art. 52 to 62), fees (art. 154).
2. [Govern d’Andorra: general quota approved on 7 October 2026](https://www.govern.ad/ca/w/el-govern-aprova-una-quota-general-de-900-autoritzacions-de-residencia-i-treball-i-de-treball-fronterer) — 900 authorisations (702 residence and work, 198 cross-border) until 30 April 2027, minus the 250 of Decree 231/2026; conditions by nationality.
3. [Govern d’Andorra: extension of 250 authorisations (22 June 2026)](https://www.govern.ad/ca/w/s-amplia-en-250-permisos-la-quota-general-d-autoritzacions-de-residencia-i-treball-i-de-treball-fronterer) — Previous quota exhausted after 890 applications; 150 + 100 additional authorisations.
4. [Govern d’Andorra: general quota approved on 29 April 2026](https://www.govern.ad/ca/w/s-aprova-el-nou-contingent-general-d-immigracio-amb-una-quota-reduida-de-800-permisos) — Previous quota: 800 authorisations (624 residents, 176 cross-border workers).
5. [Govern d’Andorra: quotas for the 2025–2026 winter season (15 October 2025)](https://www.govern.ad/ca/w/avanca-quota-temporada-hivern-4995-autoritzacions-immigracio) — 4,995 temporary authorisations by sector, duration depending on the sector, applications until 31 March 2026.
6. [Govern d’Andorra: special quota for summer 2026 (10 June 2026)](https://www.govern.ad/ca/w/aprovada-la-quota-especial-de-la-temporada-d-estiu-amb-500-autoritzacions-de-treball) — 500 authorisations (450 temporary, 50 for temporary cross-border work) until 1 November 2026.
7. [Govern d’Andorra: opinion of the Economic and Social Council of 6 October 2026](https://www.govern.ad/ca/w/el-consell-economic-i-social-emet-un-dictamen-favorable-a-la-quota-general-d-immigracio-i-al-calendari-laboral-del-2027) — General quota of October 2026 and quotas for winter 2026–2027: about 5,000 seasonal workers planned.
8. [Govern d’Andorra: pilot programme for recruitment abroad (22 July 2026)](https://www.govern.ad/ca/w/s-aprova-el-reglament-de-quota-especial-d-autoritzacions-temporals-d-immigracio-en-el-sector-hoteler-en-el-marc-de-la-prova-pilot-del-programa-de-contractacio-en-origen) — 450 temporary authorisations of 9 months at most, from 1 December 2026 to 31 August 2027, outside the European Union; travel and housing borne by the employer.
9. [Govern d’Andorra: temporary immigration authorisation (G.1)](https://www.govern.ad/ca/tematiques/immigracio/residencia-i-treball/autoritzacio-d-immigracio-temporal) — Fixed-term contract, quota, duration adjusted to the season, documents.
10. [e-tràmits: residence and work, initial authorisation (A.1)](https://www.e-tramits.ad/tramits/ca/a1-residencia-i-treball-autoritzacio-inicial/p/GV000484) — Permanent contract, documents, fee of €190.96, maximum time limit of 60 working days.
11. [e-tràmits: residence and work, renewal (A.2)](https://www.e-tramits.ad/tramits/ca/a2-residencia-i-treball-autoritzacio-de-renovacio/p/GV000485) — Application within the 60 days before expiry, documents, fee of €22.61.
12. [e-tràmits: temporary authorisation through contractació en origen](https://www.e-tramits.ad/tramits/ca/autoritzacio-dimmigracio-temporal-per-contractacio-en-origen/p/GV001823) — Hotel industry, 9 months at most, applications from 27 July 2026 to 31 March 2027.
13. [Llei 6/2024 on Andorra’s own and official language](https://www.portaljuridicandorra.ad/L2024006) — Catalan A1 and A2 at the first two renewals, transitional regime.
14. [CASS: employee contributions](https://www.cass.ad/cotitzacions-recarrecs-sancions) — 6.5% for the employee, 15.5% for the employer.
15. [Convention of 4 December 2000 between France, Spain and Andorra (French Senate)](https://www.senat.fr/leg/pjl01-281.html) — Permit of the longest duration after 5 years of residence and activity (art. 7).

Consolidated texts on the Portal jurídic d’Andorra have no official value: only the version published in the BOPA is authentic. [How we verify](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/methodology).

**General information, not advice.** This guide sets out the rules in force on 11 October 2026, based on official texts. It is no substitute for a professional review of your situation (lawyer, tax adviser, gestoria). Spotted an error or a change? [Write to us](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/contact).

## Further reading

- [Employee](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/profiles/employee): A job in Andorra
- [Working: jobs and salaries](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/living-in-andorra/jobs-and-salaries): Vacancies, salaries, gross to net
- [Cross-border worker](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/cross-border-worker): Work in Andorra, live in France
- [CASS: social security contributions](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/tax/social-security-cass): Employees and the self-employed
- [Renewal](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/residency/renewal-permanent-residency): Durations, presence, permanent residency
- [Immigration quota: 900 work permits until April 2027](https://andorrefiscal.fr/en/news/andorra-immigration-quota-2026): New general quota set on 7 October 2026, places already used, quotas without work: the figures.