Andorra and the European Union have prepared an agreement that will allow foreigners holding residence permits in the principality to visit all countries of the Schengen Area without obtaining a separate visa. The new rules will apply to citizens of countries outside the EU and provide for the possibility of short-term stays in the Schengen Area of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
This was announced by the government of Andorra on November 6, 2026, following the presentation of the agreement to the parliamentary committee on international relations.
Andorra’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Imma Tor, Minister of Justice and Interior Ester Molné, and Secretary of State for Relations with the EU Landry Riba presented the main provisions of the document regulating the crossing of the principality’s borders with Spain and France.
Negotiations on the agreement were completed in January 2026, and on March 26 the parties agreed on its text. On September 7, the European Commission published proposals for signing the agreement and its subsequent approval.
However, the new provisions have not yet entered into force. Before they can be applied, the required procedures in the EU and Andorra must be completed, including the signing and ratification of the document or the agreed provisional application of its provisions.
The specific date on which the new rules will take effect has not yet been announced.
The main innovation will be the expansion of opportunities for foreign nationals legally residing in Andorra.
At present, Andorra is neither a member of the European Union nor part of the Schengen Area. The principality is located between Spain and France, and the specific features of the border regime allow foreign residents to cross the borders with these countries under special conditions.
The new agreement provides for the extension of the simplified travel regime to all Schengen Area countries.
To travel, a foreign resident will need a valid passport and an Andorran residence permit that meets the established requirements. The right to visa-free entry will be granted for short-term trips lasting no more than 90 days within any 180-day period. However, possession of an Andorran residence permit will not automatically entitle a foreigner to employment or permanent residence in Spain, France, Germany, or other Schengen Area countries. For this purpose, the national immigration legislation of the respective country will have to be observed.
The agreement also provides for the exemption of foreign residents of Andorra from registration in the European Entry/Exit System (EES).
This system is designed to electronically record the crossing of the Schengen Area’s external borders by third-country nationals. Since Andorra is not part of the Schengen Area and does not have an airport with regular international passenger services, the characteristics of its geographical location create difficulties in applying standard border control mechanisms. In the absence of a special agreement, foreign residents of the principality risk encountering incorrect calculations of the duration of their stays in the Schengen Area.
The new document is intended to eliminate this problem while preserving the existing model of selective police checks at Andorra’s borders with France and Spain.
In addition, foreign residents of the principality will be exempt from the requirement to obtain European electronic travel authorization under ETIAS in cases provided for by the agreement.
Thus, once the agreement enters into force, an Andorran residence permit will provide broader opportunities for travel across Europe.
The expansion of freedom of movement will be accompanied by stricter security requirements for obtaining an Andorran residence permit.
Under the agreement, third-country nationals applying for or renewing a residence permit will have to undergo additional checks by the competent authorities of Spain or France.
The checks will include the use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) and other European databases. The presence of alerts concerning a possible threat to the security of Schengen Area countries may serve as grounds for refusing to issue a residence permit.
The government of Andorra also plans to bring its national immigration legislation into line with the new requirements.
Certain changes will concern the format of documents. The authorities intend to gradually switch to standardized residence permit cards compatible with European Union requirements.
A transitional period is envisaged for foreigners who already hold residence permits, during which the necessary checks will be carried out and documents replaced.
The specific dates for the start of the replacement of existing cards have not yet been determined. The changes will affect not only foreign residents but also tourists visiting Andorra. Under the agreement presented, the time spent by third-country nationals in the principality will be taken into account when calculating the permitted duration of short-term stays in the Schengen Area.
Thus, tourists will not be able to automatically use a trip to Andorra to reset the period of their stay in Schengen countries.
The maximum duration of a short-term stay will be determined according to the rule of 90 days within any 180-day period.
At the same time, Andorra will retain its independent immigration regime and will not become a member of the Schengen Area.
For Ukrainian citizens holding biometric passports, the new provisions will not represent a fundamental expansion of visa-free travel opportunities. Ukrainians already have the right to visit Schengen Area countries without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The corresponding regime has been in effect since June 11, 2017. However, the agreement may be of practical importance for Ukrainians permanently residing in Andorra with regard to border control rules, the application of EES and ETIAS, and confirmation of resident status.
The most significant benefit will be received by citizens of countries whose nationals normally require a visa to visit the Schengen Area.
Once the agreement takes effect, they will be able to use a valid Andorran residence permit for short-term trips throughout the Schengen Area without the need to obtain a separate Schengen visa. At the same time, all foreign residents will have to meet the new security requirements.
The proposed changes are significant for the real estate market and residence permit programs in Andorra. The principality offers various grounds for residency, including those related to economic activity, investments, and residence by financially independent foreigners.
Until now, one of the limitations of an Andorran residence permit has been the absence of a full right to visa-free movement throughout the Schengen Area for citizens of countries subject to visa requirements.
Once the agreement enters into force, this restriction will be partially removed. As a result, Andorran residency programs may become more attractive to foreign entrepreneurs, investors, and affluent third-country nationals interested in living in the principality while being able to make short-term trips across Europe.
At the same time, the new rules do not imply an automatic easing of the requirements for obtaining a residence permit, purchasing real estate, or starting a business. On the contrary, enhanced security checks may complicate the permit application process for certain categories of applicants.
The government of Andorra continues to coordinate with Spain and France on the practical mechanisms for conducting checks, exchanging information, and ensuring cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
