Living in Andorra: requirements, cost of living and benefits
How much it costs to live in Andorra? Living in Andorra offers more options and is considered more attractive for the discerning person looking to step into the new world.
This small country offers many benefits for many people, however, before making the decision the details should be understood carefully.
We explain all about what is required to live in Andorra and what benefits and disadvantages there are for a resident.
Cost of rent in Andorra 2024
Finding the right accommodation is incredibly difficult because you want to rent it for a season; in some cases, landlords are reluctant to rent the apartment for a «short time».
But if you want to move to Andorra you should do it with accommodation included, i.e. it is not advisable to get the permit in Andorra and simulate life in Andorra without a home in the country.
When renting property it is important to remember that prices vary depending on the location of the property and the size of the property.
You can have a cheaper room when sharing a room with a friend, but those costs will be lower. The average cost of this type of apartment is usually 300 € (328 USD) per room. This practice is becoming more and more common in Andorra as it offers advantages when it comes to sharing the cost of renting the apartment, which translates into paying less euros per month.
If on the contrary you are looking for an apartment for yourself, keep in mind that there are very few products in the country and if you find an apartment that you like, you should rent it that same day since the offers of apartments for rent in the Principality of Andorra, usually disappear the same day of their publication.
Depending on the area you are looking for, the price will be higher or lower, the area of Engolasters for example in Escaldes is usually a very expensive area versus the area of Santa Coloma in Andorra la Vella which usually has a more affordable price. In this case, it always depends on the tastes of each person and the way you want to live in Andorra.
How much does it cost to live in Andorra? Here you have detailed the cost of living in Andorra and the extra expenses of each residence in Andorra.
Housing in Andorra
As we have said, the price of a house in the country depends on the area and the type of apartment you are looking for, whether it is furnished or not, whether it is new or renovated, etc.
However, regardless of how many euros a month you want to spend, you must take into account, as we have explained in this other article, you must choose well the place where you want to live in Andorra, since your quality of life will be different depending on the parish you choose to live in Andorra.
Cost of public services in Andorra
In Andorra there are many public services that are totally free, so the cost of living in Andorra improves for its residents in the Principality.
Here you can find in detail the cost of living expense by expense and key basket products per person to make an average of the cost of living in Andorra.
Cost of food in Andorra 2024
Some travelers wonder about their income and what is a living wage in Andorra.
This calculation requires much more knowledge than just rent and food prices.
Those with cars needing large purchases must visit Seu Urgell in Catalonia on many occasions and go shopping at Mercadona in the supermarket to find the liter of milk, among other products, cheaper.
In the country the Andorran supermarket 2000 was the cheapest (Now Carrefour Andorra 2000), while Pyrenees is the most expensive.
Supermarket and food costs in Andorra
In Andorra, a typical food basket costs as much as that in Spain, due to low VAT rates on basic commodities, but high margins for stores.
Andorra usually imports this product from Spain or France, so subsistence costs are likely to be comparable.
Also, when you want to make a big purchase you can visit the first town in Spain after the Andorran border, La Seu d’Urgell, and buy groceries in the Mercadona supermarket asking to receive tax free on the purchase made, so you will not pay tax on your shopping basket on any item (as long as you do not exceed 300€, which you should then pay at the Andorran border). 1 liter
Cost of renting properties
In Andorra, as in many places in the world, the rental market is unique, scarce and expensive.
The price varies if the location of the house has a bathroom or bedrooms, as well as additional amenities such as parking.
Most apartments cost €900 – 5000 for the year.
Most are numbers in the middle end. Taking into consideration the apartments of all parishes, both more modest and luxury.
Accommodation and rental prices in Andorra
A major expense of living in Andorra is renting a house.
Prices for apartments or houses vary, but most are generally well serviced or renovated, although they are not cheap.
The town of Andorra la Vella offers quality accommodation to rent all year round, as does Escaldes Engordany and they are also well connected by public transport.
Rental prices in Andorra vary according to the location, layout and size of a property, so the average cost is indicated.
Services and household expenses
Now, when we talk about the cost of living in Andorra in relation to household costs, in addition to the price of the monthly rent, we must take into account expenses such as electricity, gas, water, etc.
In Andorra something very important is that you do not pay for the water you consume per dwelling, but you pay for the access to water.
As for the electricity, an average bill is usually around 25€ per month and the gas depends on how much heating you are going to use in your apartment, so it is quite relative.
Clothing and footwear in Andorra
Clothing is generally cheaper compared to shoes and clothes in Spain and France.
Their prices are lower than the average garment. It is because brand taxes save money on indirect taxes.
Generally, in establishments such as Zara, the Andorran flag is usually added on the label on top of the Spanish and French price and this varies the cost of the total item by about €2 at most.
In addition to this it must be said that the option of making the tax free in Spain is something very interesting, since it is left to pay 21% of Spanish VAT.
Gasoline prices in Andorra
In general, transportation represents less than half of the total cost of living in the Principality.
Diesel or gasoline (liter) is quite cheap in Andorra compared to 1 liter in Spain and France.
However, prices vary according to crude oil prices. Cars generally cost less than other cars in the country.
The Andorran bus costs very little and sometimes these public services are free so there is no impact on the cost of living. People who use that bus every day in their home countries buy monthly subscriptions for the services offered.
The transportation is very adequate, in good condition, modern and is usually used by adults and children, so in general there is always a good atmosphere in public services.
Medical and health expenses in Andorra
Earlier we discussed that rental costs are the expenses that most influence the time spent in Andorra.
The opposite is true for medical and health expenses in general. The Principality has more than 55 pharmacies that contribute to reducing medical expenses.
Andorra’s healthcare system is ranked as one of the best healthcare systems in the world by some.
Without considering social security contributions, healthcare costs are quite affordable, hygiene costs are almost identical, however in smaller amounts.
Food and Restaurants
The most underestimated expense is food and drink, and it seems that smaller amounts can grow quickly and be costly when not managed effectively.
How you eat can influence how much you spend on food. Is there a way to make money from eating and making food for yourself that will bring you success? How much does it cost to shop in Andorra?
The cost of living multiplies when you stop making the food basket and switch to eating in restaurants in the Principality of Andorra.
1 liter of milk, white rice, 1 liter of water, etc, will always be cheaper than a menu in any restaurant in Andorra.
The dishes in restaurants in the country are usually exquisite and unique, it is a great experience to indulge once in a while.
Tobacco and alcohol in Andorra
The cost of tobacco in Andorra is much lower than in neighboring countries and products usually cost between 70 and 90 percent of the final cost. In Andorra tobacco is taxable but in any case always cheaper than the cost of tobacco in other neighboring countries.
How much money do I need to live in Andorra?
Understanding the cost of living in Andorra can be crucial in deciding whether to move.
Andorra offers a relatively low standard of living in general compared to some European cities.
In general, it varies depending on lifestyle and individual needs to figure out how much to spend.
The price of housing depends largely on the location of the building and the type of housing.
Tourist and central areas have higher prices and in mainly residential and more populated areas the cost is lower.
Sports and entertainment in Andorra
Residents of Andorra are paid rates similar to those in Spain to enjoy leisure activities.
However, if you count the discount for each person resident in Andorra in terms of the cost of the season ski pass article for skiing in the country. These services help as residents in other countries cannot access these discounts if they do not live or work in Andorra.
Pros and cons of living in Andorra
Andorra has extremely low taxation and is therefore very desirable in general. It is located in the center of the Pyrenees, which is an amazing nature reserve and has many outdoor activities. Andorra has one of the lowest rates of criminal offenses in Europe. Therefore Andorra is an easy place to visit to live. The cost of living is disadvantageous in some countries due to being higher than in the United States. In addition, the small size of the country may impose restrictions on some people because leisure and cultural options are smaller than in larger urban areas.
Requirements for living in Andorra as a Spaniard
You should be able to obtain a visa a little earlier if you move to Spain. Initially, a permit is required which can be active or passive. The active one is for people who work in Andorra and the passive one is only available for people who do not wish to work. For active residency a work permit must be provided by the orran companies. You will need an official criminal history report to prove that you can provide adequate financial resources for you and your family.
Being an EU resident greatly facilitates immigration procedures in the Principality, however you should be aware that you will need to present specific documentation to be able to work in Andorra.
Working in Andorra either in a restaurant, in the transport sector or cleaning dishes in a restaurant requires you to prove your experience with documentation.
Applying for residency in Andorra: steps to follow
Moving to Andorra is only an initial step. Once decisions are made, a processing procedure for the stay begins. Initially it may seem daunting, but you are able to navigate the information fairly quickly. The first thing you should do when you get your visa for the Andorran country is to get it. It was issued by the Andorran Directorate of Immigration. Several documents are needed, such as a medical certificate, a criminal record and documentation proving financial resources. Andorra also has a residential investment program.
Residence as an Employee in Andorra
One of the most interesting residences for those who are looking for residency on the basis of a job. Thanks to a work contract, you will be able to obtain this residence permit in the country. One of the peculiarities of this residence is that it is not controlled so much the days that you spend effectively in the country, thanks to the fact that it is understood that you have your home and your work in Andorra, so thanks to this you should weigh more than 183 days in the country.
Self-employed Residence in Andorra
Thanks to the incorporation of a company in Andorra, you will be able to get one of the self-employed residences. The data in Andorra states that more and more people are applying for this type of residency instead of passive residency in Andorra. An investment of 50K euros is required.
If you are looking to create a company in Andorra, keep in mind that you will need to have a place to establish the company, such as your own studio. This studio can be located in a business center and thus share some expenses such as internet.
The internet in Andorra is provided by Andorra Telecom, at the moment the only telephone company in the country.
Passive residence in Andorra
A person who wishes to reside in Andorra despite not being able to create a company in Andorra. That is to say, a residence that allows only to live on income in the country. Despite having to make an investment of 600K euros.
Fiscal Residence in Andorra
It implies at what moment the center of tax payment becomes Andorra and not other countries.
It is obtained at the moment when the person spends more than 183 days in the country.
The core of the issue is not to spend more than 183 days in your country of nationality.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this topic or need more information about the costs or information on how to obtain one of the residences here exposed, you can contact us through our direct whatsapp or through our email.
If you simply want information about transportation or any other issue, we can help you to manage your doubts.
We have expert lawyers in different sectors of law, so we can give you a fully specialized advice on your query.
We will answer you in less than 24 hours, so you can continue to manage your change of residence to Andorra or any other question you may have.
Do not hesitate to contact us, we will not charge you for the initial consultation.
