Immigration quotas in Andorra: new figures and the evolution of the migration model

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On 13 March 2026, the Government of Andorra approved several decrees establishing or expanding immigration permit quotas across different residence categories.

These quotas determine the maximum number of permits that may be granted within each immigration regime. Below are the figures currently in force.

Self-employed residence and work permit

Decree 75/2026 establishes a total quota of 200 residence and work permits for self-employed individuals.

This contingent is distributed as follows:

• 30 permits for liberal professionals (excluding doctors)
• 20 permits for doctors registered with the Andorran Medical Association
• 150 permits for other self-employed activities

This type of authorization is typically used by:

• entrepreneurs creating a company in the country
• partners in an Andorran company
• independent professionals

Permits are granted on a chronological first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more about this type of residence in the article Self-employmentresidence in Andorra: requirements, advantages and real taxation

Residence without work (passive residence)

Decree 74/2026 sets a total quota of 200 residence permits without gainful activity.

The distribution is as follows:

• 163 permits for residence without gainful activity
• 10 for professionals with international projection
• 17 for scientific, cultural or sporting reasons
• 10 for admission to medical or geriatric centres

This type of residence is primarily aimed at individuals who do not carry out professional activity in Andorra, but who can demonstrate sufficient financial resources.

You can learn more in the article Passive residence in Andorra: evolution, requirements and legislative changes

Employee residence and cross-border work permits

Regarding permits linked to the labour market, the regulation approved in September 2025 initially established:

• 702 residence and work permits
• 198 cross-border work permits

In other words, a total of 900 permits, although this contingent was exhausted before the end of the planned period.

For this reason, in March 2026 the Government approved an expansion of the contingent, allowing the granting of:

• 135 additional residence and work permits
• 15 additional cross-border work permits

This represents 150 additional permits in total.

This expansion focuses mainly on strategic occupations, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors, as well as certain qualified professions.

The quota system in Andorra’s immigration policy

The quota system is not new. Andorran immigration legislation allows the Government to periodically determine the maximum number of permits based on the country’s needs.

This mechanism serves several objectives:

• adjusting demographic growth
• adapting the entry of workers to labour market needs
• preserving the balance between the resident population and available resources (housing, water and electricity)

Permits are generally granted in chronological order of application, with priority often given to:

• nationals of countries that have agreements with Andorra (such as Spain or France, for example)
• nationals of the European Union or the European Economic Area

Recent evolution: an increasingly selective model

Over the past two decades, Andorra has progressively transformed its immigration model.

During the first years of economic opening, the country focused on attracting investment, talent and new residents as a driver of growth.

Over time, population growth and pressure on certain resources — particularly housing — have led the Government to introduce stricter control mechanisms.

This shift is reflected in several recent reforms, including:

• Law 5/2025, aimed at sustainable growth and the right to housing
• Law 2/2026, which consolidates several measures adopted in recent years

In this context, immigration quotas have become a central tool for regulating the pace of new residents entering the country.

You can explore the broader historical context in the article Changes in immigration and foreign investment in Andorra: towards a more restrictive model

A tool to regulate the country’s growth

Overall, the quota system allows the Government to modulate the country’s demographic and economic growth.

The objective is not to prevent new residents from arriving, but to ensure that this growth remains compatible with:

• the capacity of the housing market. You can consult the article The Andorran real estate market (2019–2025): prices, new developments and access to housing to see how it has evolved.
• the country’s infrastructur
• the balance of the labour market

For professionals, entrepreneurs or investors considering relocating to the Principality, this system means that planning and anticipation are increasingly important.

Quotas are limited and, in many cases, they are exhausted relatively quickly.

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If you are considering relocating to Andorra or launching a business project in the country, you can contact us through the Contact form or schedule a meeting at the bottom of the page.

Last review: March 2026