Andorra approves the bill that will make it compulsory for residents to know a minimum of Catalan
Is Catalan in Andorra mandatory?
The Government of Andorra prepares a new law in the country that will impose to speak Catalan to those who have a residence permit in the country through a job in a company in Andorra. Therefore, is Catalan in Andorra mandatory?
Let us remember that the only official language in Andorra is Catalan. The official language is very important for nationals and residents in the country, since the durability of the language depends on it.
That is why, in view of the alarmingly low use of the official language, including in the Public Administration, the Government of Andorra has decided to establish by law the obligation to speak Catalan for the renewal of residence permits.
What does this new law in favor of the Catalan language in Andorra imply?
The new law implies the obligation of a minimum basic knowledge of Catalan for new and old residents, as well as those who must renew a visa.
Its aim is to facilitate public attention in Catalan, as well as to break an already dominant Castilian dialectic pattern.
Andorran leaders are optimistic that this legislation will help institutions protect the official language and better serve them.
A course of at least 30 hours, accrediting at least an A2 level of knowledge of the language, will therefore be a requirement for renewal. In this way, it will be possible to renew the residence in Andorra.
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To a large extent, these problems do not affect streamers who recently chose Andorra as an alternative.
This is because the streamers do not have the permit for work, but for their own account. This obligation will only affect «the workforce» in Andorra. It will only affect people who have a job in one of the Andorran establishments. All other persons will be exempt.
The minimum level for a person to stay alive in this country is A2, a basic level. Alternatively, if your score has not passed the test, you can take an additional 30 days of classes in the Catalan center of the Pyrenees.
This information has even been published in the europa press.
The bill will come into force in January 2024, coinciding with the renewal of many resident permits, including streamers, which as we have already said, will not be affected to continue being residents in the country.
Therefore, this new law will be put to the test in the country and will unfortunately be suffered by those considered as «labor force» in the Principality, as they will need to pass the language test or to present the accreditation course to renew their residence permit.
Thus, residents in Andorra will have to make an effort to try to adapt to the country and learn the official language of the country: Catalan. Otherwise, when it comes to renewing their permits, they will have problems and may even be denied.
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