The concept of the digital nomad, a professional who works remotely and does not spend the entire year in the same location, is becoming increasingly common. Andorra recognized this trend and moved to attract these professionals by creating a specific residence permit through its Digital Economy Law.

However, as we will now see, obtaining this type of visa presents several complications.

What is a digital nomad?

According to Andorran legislation, a digital nomad is defined as a person who does not need a specific geographic location to perform their work and uses telecommunications and technology to carry out their professional activities.

The original definition pointed clearly to content creators, entrepreneurs, and especially well-paid contractors for foreign companies. In practice, the government looks for profiles that contribute to the development of the digital economy, entrepreneurship, or innovation in the Principality.

What is the digital nomad visa in Andorra?

The digital nomad visa in Andorra is a type of residence permit introduced through Llei 42/2022 (the Digital Economy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law), passed on December 1, 2022. The implementing regulations came into force in early 2023, with the key regulatory framework established by Decret 212/2023 (May 10, 2023), making the permits effectively available from mid-2023.

It complements the existing active and passive residence permits and is designed for foreign individuals who:

• Conduct all their work using telecommunications and technological means (computer, online communication, social networks, etc.)
• Do not require a specific geographic location to perform their work
• Provide services to clients or entities not residing in the Principality of Andorra

This includes three profiles: employees contracted by a foreign employer, freelancers serving non-Andorran clients, and professionals working for a company established in another country in which they hold a stake.

What are the benefits of this digital nomad visa?

For years, Andorra attracted thousands of entrepreneurs and digital professionals who were constrained by high and inflexible entry requirements: the obligation to invest in the country, make a deposit at the AFA, pay into the CASS, reside more than 183 days, and so on.

The digital nomad permit offers a significantly lighter entry path:

• No AFA deposit: Digital nomads are exempt from the 50,000 euro payment to the Andorran Financial Authority that applies to self-employed (compte propi) residents.
• No need to establish a company: There is no obligation to incorporate an Andorran entity to be a tax resident.
• No CASS contributions: There is no obligation to pay into the social security system, though you must maintain private health and disability insurance.
• Lower minimum stay: The minimum residency requirement is 90 days per calendar year, compared to the 183 days typically expected for standard residencies.
• Tax residency: The permit allows you to become a tax resident in Andorra if you meet the requirements established in the IRPF law (personal income tax).

What are the requirements?

The most distinctive feature of this permit is that it requires prior approval from the government of Andorra, which seeks profiles that contribute to the digital economy, entrepreneurship, or innovation.

To be eligible, you must meet all the following requirements:

• Approval from the Ministry of Economy: You must obtain a favorable resolution recognizing you as a person who works remotely using telecommunications and technology.
• A duly completed and accepted application for residence without work authorization.
• Sworn statement of criminal record.
• Sufficient economic means: You must demonstrate that you have the necessary financial resources to reside in Andorra. The specific thresholds are established by regulation.
• Documented proof that you own or rent a dwelling that meets the minimum habitability conditions required by regulation.
• Commitment to establish effective residence in Andorra for a minimum of 90 days per calendar year.
• Proof and maintenance of health and disability insurance coverage in Andorra.
• Undergo the relevant medical tests in Andorra.

How to obtain the Ministry’s approval?

The most critical step is securing the favorable resolution from the Ministry responsible for the economy. This is governed by Decret 212/2023, dated May 10, 2023, which requires the following documentation:

• Passport or ID card.
• Sworn declaration that you do not require a specific geographic location to perform your work and that you use telecommunications and technology, describing your professional activity as thoroughly as possible.
• Any supporting documents such as employer certificates, client contracts, or company certificates confirming that you can perform your work remotely.

The Ministry evaluates each application individually, and it is important to present a compelling case that your profile genuinely contributes to the digital economy.

Is it easy to get this authorization?

No, it is not.

Although on paper this visa sounds like a very attractive option, in reality it has proven difficult: even in cases where the applicant met all the requirements, we have found that the Ministry often denies authorization.

Some of our clients have obtained it successfully, but in our experience the approval process can feel somewhat arbitrary. For that reason, for clients who are in a hurry to obtain residency or who do not have a markedly innovative profile, we usually recommend going directly through the active residency route.

How long does the permit last?

The digital nomad residence permit has an initial validity of two years. After that, it can be renewed for successive periods of two, three, and eventually up to ten years, provided you continue meeting the requirements.

Holders of this permit can also apply for family reunification after having resided in Andorra for at least three months, allowing their spouse and children to join them under the same favorable conditions.

Catalan language requirements

Since the approval of Llei 6/2024 (the Language Law), Andorra requires all residents to demonstrate a basic knowledge of Catalan when renewing their residence permits. Specifically, you will need to pass a level A1 exam for the first renewal and a level A2 for the second renewal. Free courses are available through the Andorran government, and the exams are straightforward for anyone making a genuine effort to integrate.

The alternative: active residence

For digital professionals who cannot obtain the nomad visa, the most common alternative is active residence (residència i treball per compte propi), which grants the right to carry out a professional activity in the country.

The main difference is the cost of entry. Active residence requires a 50,000 euro payment to the Andorran Financial Authority (AFA). Following the approval of the Llei de continuïtat i consolidació de les mesures per al creixement sostenible (January 2026), this amount is now non-refundable. It is no longer a deposit that gets returned when you leave the country, but a definitive payment to the state.

This represents a significant financial barrier, but it comes with more certainty: unlike the digital nomad permit, active residence does not require the Ministry of Economy’s subjective approval, making the process more predictable.

Additionally, active residents are subject to quota limitations. The most recent quota regulation is Decret 124/2025 (April 2, 2025), which governs the number of self-employed authorizations available. The government has been progressively tightening immigration quotas in recent years.

Am I in time to move to Andorra?

Despite the recent tightening of entry requirements, the pace of arrivals has not slowed. The government has already implemented quota systems that limit the number of new authorizations granted each year, and further restrictions remain under discussion.

In our opinion, although the conditions are more restrictive than a few years ago, it is still not too late to obtain Andorran residency. But when a client is unsure whether to move this year or next, we always recommend acting sooner rather than later.

If you are interested in changing your tax residence to Andorra and want to understand more about the country, we recommend reading the report “The definitive guide to living in Andorra”.

For any questions, feel free to contact us without obligation.

Sources

• Llei 42/2022 – Digital Economy Law (BOPA)
• Govern d’Andorra – Digital Nomad Residence
• Llei 5/2014 – IRPF (Consell General)
• Autoritat Financera Andorrana (AFA)