Move to Andorra

Most people who talk to me about moving to Andorra start with the same question: is it really worth it? Having lived here since 1997, my honest answer is yes, provided you move for the right reasons. People come for the low tax, the safety, the mountain lifestyle and a slower pace that much of Europe has lost. Andorra has great healthcare, strong schools and some of the lowest crime in Europe.

The cost of moving to Andorra is usually smaller than people expect next to the bigger decisions around it. Budget for three things: your residency route, your property (buying or renting), and the practical setup of bank, utilities and insurance. Removals from Spain or France are straightforward; from further afield they take longer and cost more. I give every client a realistic figure for their own situation before we fix any dates.

If you want to understand daily life here before you commit, living in Andorra covers schools, healthcare, weather and pace. And if your move is partly tax-driven, read the income tax in Andorra page first, because residency and tax residency are related but not the same thing.

Start with the right immigration route before making Andorra your main home or working here. Visitor permission is not a residence or work permit, and travel through Spain or France has separate entry conditions. Choose the route around your work, family and stay plans; our residency guide explains the options. Tax residence is a separate assessment, not simply another name for the permit.

Once you know the route, the rest of the move is mostly logistics. Most people underestimate the logistics. That is where we come in.

Plan your move with Peter Lucas

First, you decide on your residency route and start preparing the file - police certificates, solvency evidence, health cover, and an Andorran address (bought or rented). The residency guide covers all of that.

At the same time, you pick where you want to live. Andorra has seven parishes and they feel genuinely different - altitude, sun, commute, character. Our parish guide is the quickest way to shortlist. From there you either buy property in Andorra or rent, and both paths need an address confirmed before you can finalise most of the practical setup.

Next, coordinate the account, insurance, electricity and internet. The bank’s KYC review, the property’s existing connections and provider appointments determine the sequence. Prepare the account and insurance early, confirm the electricity distributor for the address, then arrange the necessary supply and Andorra Telecom appointments around handover. We coordinate forms and scheduling; you make decisions and sign. An agreed plan helps, but no universal one-week completion can be promised.

If you are moving with children, factor in schools early - school calendars often drive the whole timeline. If the move is partly tax-driven, read our income tax page before you lock in dates; residency and tax residency are related but not identical. And if you are curious what daily life actually feels like - schools, healthcare, weather, pace - see living in Andorra.

Moving to Andorra: the practical side

Residency and setup are the legal and administrative side of moving to Andorra. The other half is logistics - what you bring, how it gets here, and what happens at the border.

Shipping your belongings

Andorra has a customs union with the EU covering industrial goods, but this does not remove all household-removal formalities. Ask the mover or customs representative which declarations, inventory, residence evidence and conditions for any relief apply to your goods and origin. Check access, parking, lift dimensions and delivery insurance at the destination before booking the vehicle.

Bringing a vehicle

Check import eligibility, tax treatment, technical conformity, inspection, registration and insurance before transporting a vehicle. Deadlines and driving-licence exchange depend on the vehicle, licence origin and your status; do not assume a universal 30-day deadline or an automatic exchange. Obtain the current requirements for your case and sequence them with residency.

Pets and arrival planning

For pets, ask the vet to confirm identification, vaccination, passport or health-certificate requirements for the species, origin and route through Spain or France. Some preparation has to happen before travel. Agree whether pets travel with you or separately, and make sure the home and any temporary accommodation can receive them.

A planning sequence, rather than fixed deadlines

• Before committing: choose the permit route, budget and school plan; begin document collection.
• While the application progresses: coordinate housing and the bank’s compliance review.
• Once the address is confirmed: agree insurance, supply contracts and provider appointments.
• Handover and arrival: record keys, condition and meters; coordinate movers and any temporary arrangements.
• After arrival: complete the parish, vehicle and licence steps within the deadlines confirmed for your case.

What Invico handles for your move

• Banking - appointment booking, KYC pack review, account opening, online banking activation. Background: banks in Andorra.
• Insurance - home and liability as standard, contents and valuables as add-ons. Bound before handover, certificate to the building administrator when asked.
• FEDA electricity - contract, meter activation, direct debit. Technician visit coordinated if the supply is inactive.
• Andorra Telecom - plan selection, number porting where possible, router install slot, SIM pickup or delivery.
• Handover day - keys, meter readings, waste and parking rules, final walkthrough checklist.
• Optional - parish registration guidance, vehicle and ITV basics, mailbox setup.

Typical timelines

Plan around confirmed requirements and appointments, not standard completion promises:

• Banking: allow for acceptance, compliance questions and any required visit.
• Insurance: obtain the quote and confirm when cover starts and proof is available.
• Electricity: confirm whether the supply is active and whether a technician is needed.
• Internet: book an available installation slot once the address and access are confirmed.
• Full setup: keep a contingency plan if one provider’s approval or appointment is delayed.

Figures reflect current practice and will vary by address and provider scheduling. We confirm specifics for your file before you commit to dates.

Documents you will need

• Passport for each adult (and dependents)
• Signed rental contract or purchase deed - the Andorran address ties everything together
• Recent bank statements and source-of-funds evidence (KYC)
• Meter numbers and previous bills, if you are taking over an existing supply
• A local contact phone and email for install windows and confirmations

We prep the forms; you bring the evidence.

Frequently asked questions

How do I move to Andorra? Choose the residency route, prepare documents and housing, and coordinate banking, insurance, utilities and the physical move. Allow for approval and provider appointments rather than assuming everything will be ready within one week.

What is the process for moving to Andorra? Three layers run side by side: legal (residency permit), property (buying or renting), practical (banking, utilities, insurance, internet, shipping, vehicle, pets). They sequence around the residency submission and the keys date. We coordinate the three so they finish together.

How long can I stay in Andorra without residency? Visitor stays are generally limited to 90 days, subject to your entry circumstances. A visit does not authorise work or permanent settlement. Check the residence route and any separate Schengen entry conditions for travel through Spain or France.

Do I need an Andorran bank account before I can set up utilities and internet? Yes, in most cases. Utilities and telecoms run on direct debit, so the bank comes first.

Can I open a bank account before I arrive? Initial discussions and document preparation can often start remotely. The bank decides which checks and signatures require attendance and whether it accepts the application.

What do Andorran banks ask for? KYC checks: passport, proof of address, and source-of-funds evidence. The exact pack varies by bank and profile.

How long does FEDA electricity take to activate? Ask the distributor for an address-specific appointment and requirements. An existing active supply differs from a disconnected meter or installation needing technical work.

How long does Andorra Telecom take to install? Timing depends on the available appointment, building access and whether the address is ready. Confirm the slot before relying on a connection for work.

Can I port my mobile number from abroad? In most cases you will take a new Andorran number. We check current porting options and handle the paperwork.

Is home insurance mandatory? Check the lease, mortgage and building requirements. Choose suitable contents and liability cover and ensure it starts when you become responsible for the property.

Can you align everything with a notary signing or lease start? We plan around the intended handover and coordinate the parties, but bank approval and provider appointments remain outside our control. Allow for contingencies.

Do you help with residency itself, or only the move-in setup? Both. We coordinate the residency application alongside the practical setup so the two do not contradict each other. Details on routes are on the residency guide.

Start your move to Andorra

Tell us your target date and where you plan to live, and we will come back with a sequenced plan covering residency, property and setup.