Renewing Your Residency in Andorra: What No One Tells You
Milestones, Documents, and Requirements to Meet: The Complete Guide for 2026
Key Point for 2026: Decree 74/2026 of March 11, 2026, and Decree 407/2025 of November 12, 2025, clarified the rules governing the renewal of residence permits without work authorization. Any renewal application filed in 2026 is subject to these regulations: the initial conditions must be maintained without interruption, failing which the application will be rejected and the acquired seniority will be lost.
Obtaining Andorran residency is not an end in itself. It is a dynamic status that must be maintained according to a specific schedule—and whose renewal determines the entire tax and wealth management strategy built around it. An incomplete application, insufficient time spent in the country over the course of a year, or an investment sold without a replacement: the Servei d’Immigració may deny renewal and force you to start all over from scratch. This guide provides the key to avoiding that.
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Why Renewal Is the Riskiest Moment in the Journey
Andorran residency is obtained through an initial application process. It remains valid for several decades—provided that the deadlines and conditions associated with each stage are strictly adhered to. Most issues arise not during the initial application, but during the first or second renewal, when the resident has become less vigilant about matters that seemed secondary.
Andorran law is explicit on this point. Decree 74/2026, which entered into force on March 11, 2026, and concerns the quota for residence permits without work authorization, provides in Article 4: “To obtain the renewal of an immigration permit granted under this Regulation, the holder must demonstrate that he or she has maintained the same conditions and factual circumstances that justified the granting of the initial permit.” This requirement of continuity is absolute and without exception.
The consequences of a rejection are particularly severe: any prior residency status is completely lost. There is no automatic appeal process. A resident whose application has been denied must start over from scratch—with all the time constraints, costs, and requirements of an initial application, including the initial investment and the deposit of a security with the AFA (Autoritat Financera Andorrana).
| Risk factor | Consequences of Noncompliance | Preventive measure |
|---|---|---|
| Insufficient presence (passive residence) | Rejection of Renewal — Loss of Priority | Document each trip using bank statements and local invoices |
| Investment Sold Without Replacement | Non-compliance with Art. 96 of Law 9/2012 — dismissal | Any proceeds from the sale of Andorran assets must be reinvested immediately |
| Insufficient or unsubstantiated income | Incomplete application — risk of rejection or additional requirements | Prepare the supporting documents 6 months before filing |
| Expired Documents (Criminal Record) | Rejection upon receipt — processing period has not yet begun | Criminal record must be obtained within the 3 months prior to filing |
| Foreign Documents Lacking an Apostille | Filing Denied — Restart the Process | Hague Apostille + translation into Catalan by a certified translator |
| Late filing (expired security) | Emergency Regularization Procedure (Art. 81 of Law 9/2012) — Additional Costs | File the application 3 months before the current title expires |
The Three Phases of Renewal: Timeline and Challenges
Andorran residency does not immediately confer long-term status. It is gradually established through three successive stages, each of which is contingent on full compliance over the preceding period. Understanding this progression is essential for planning ahead for each deadline without any interruptions.
| Bearing | Time elapsed since receipt | Time Allotted | What Is Being Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First renewal | After 3 years | 3 more years | Original title, investment, present value of income, documented evidence |
| 2nd renewal | After a total of 6 years | 3 more years | Same conditions + stronger evidence of actual residence in Andorra |
| 3rd renewal | After a total of 9 years | 10 years | Full compliance throughout the entire process, starting from the initial request |
| Long-term title | After a combined total of 20 years | Permanent | Documented continuous residence — possible eligibility for naturalization |
This timeline is the same regardless of the residency category—passive (non-working), active (Andorran employees), or international. The requirements vary depending on status, but the step-by-step progression is the same for all.
The Logic of Continuity
Andorran law does not merely verify the situation as of the renewal date. It examines the entire period that has elapsed since the last title was issued. An investment that was sold for 18 months and then reconstituted before the renewal application was filed does not remedy the interim breach: the requirement of “permanent and effective” maintenance imposed by Article 96 of Llei 9/2012 applies throughout the entire period.
The four conditions that must be maintained at all times
Renewal is not a one-time event; it is the verification of an ongoing status. Four pillars must remain in compliance throughout the period covered by the current certificate.
1. Actual presence within the territory
For passive residency (without gainful employment), the legal minimum is 90 days per year in Andorra. These days do not have to be consecutive—they can be spread out freely over the calendar year. However, they must be documented with concrete evidence: local bank statements showing transactions in Andorra, electricity, water, or telephone bills, use of Andorran healthcare services, and border crossing records.
For active residency (employees), the minimum stay is 183 days per year. The same documentation requirements apply. A simple declaration is not sufficient—the authorities may request supporting documentation at the time of renewal.
Increasing Risk in 2026: Checks on actual presence have been tightened over the past two years. Residents whose economic activities are clearly based outside Andorra—no local banking transactions, no use of Andorran services—have had their renewal applications called into question, even if they have a registered residence within the country. Presence must be genuine, not merely formal.
2. Maintaining investment in real estate
Article 96 of Law 9/2012 requires holders of a passive residence permit to permanently and effectively invest at least €1,000,000 in Andorran assets—real estate located in Andorra, equity interests in resident companies, debt instruments, or collective investment products governed by Andorran law. This threshold may be reduced to €400,000 under the Fons d'Habitatge (Andorran real estate financing mechanism).
The key word is “permanent.” The investment must not be liquidated between renewals, even temporarily. In the event of the disposal of an asset (sale of real estate, divestiture of an equity interest), the proceeds must be immediately reinvested in another eligible asset to maintain uninterrupted compliance. Any delay between the disposal and the reinvestment constitutes a period of non-compliance.
3. The security deposit paid to the AFA
The initial deposit made with the Autoritat Financera Andorrana at the time of application must remain in place for the entire duration of the residency. The applicable amounts for non-profit passive residency are: €50,000 for the principal applicant, plus an additional €12,000 per dependent (spouse, minor children). This amount is frozen—it does not generate any return but is returned to you in full upon voluntary renunciation of Andorran residency.
4. Proof of Sufficient Income
The applicant must demonstrate a stable income sufficient to cover their living expenses in Andorra. The threshold is indexed to the Andorran minimum wage (SMA): income must be at least 300% of the SMA for the principal applicant, plus 100% of the SMA for each dependent. This documentation must be updated at each renewal—the income reported at the time of the initial application is not sufficient.
For the residency program for individuals with international business operations (entrepreneurs managing their businesses remotely), at least 85% of revenue must come from sources outside Andorra. This ratio must be documented for the past period.
Documents to Prepare: The Complete List for 2026
Decree 447/2025 of December 3, 2025, regarding the Immigration Service Regulations, sets forth in Article 21 the list of documents required for any application to renew an immigration permit. Decree 407/2025 of November 12, 2025, adds the specific requirements for residence permits without employment.
Identity and Civil Status
RequiredValid passport (copy). Current Andorran residence permit. Clean criminal record, issued within the last 3 months. Documents must be apostilled if issued by a foreign country.
Housing and Presence
RequiredCertificate of registration with the local municipality. Property deed or current lease agreement. Most recent utility bill (electricity, water, telephone). Proof of actual residence in the area (bank statements, bills).
Wealth Management
Passive houseProof of continued investment in Andorra (up-to-date property deed, investment account statement, or proof of ownership interest in an Andorran company). Must demonstrate that the investment meets the threshold of €1,000,000 or €400,000, depending on the program.
Income and Taxation
RequiredUp-to-date proof of income covering the entire period since the last certificate. Most recent Andorran income tax return. For entrepreneurs: income statements and documentation of the source of income.
Insurance
RequiredValid health insurance covering Andorra. Civil liability insurance. For dependents: proof of enrollment in the CASS or equivalent private insurance.
Formalities Regarding Foreign Documents
ReviewAny document issued outside Andorra must bear the Hague Apostille and be translated into Catalan by a certified translator. Failure to provide the Apostille or translation will result in the document being rejected at the time of submission—the processing period will not begin.
Processing time: A complete application is processed in 3 to 8 weeks on average. The application must be submitted at least 3 months before the current permit expires to avoid any period without a valid permit. A permit that has expired prior to submission is subject to a separate, more cumbersome regularization procedure governed by Article 81 of Law 9/2012.
Isabelle, CEO of a family-owned group, ensures a smooth transition following an asset restructuring
Isabelle, 54, a French and Belgian citizen, had obtained her Andorran passive residency in 2021 based on a real estate investment in Escaldes-Engordany. In 2023, she decided to sell this apartment to reinvest in shares of an Andorran SL—a tax-neutral transaction but one that required careful administrative handling in light of her first renewal in 2024.
His team coordinated the sale and simultaneous reinvestment, thereby avoiding any period of non-compliance with Article 96 of Law 9/2012. The renewal application was filed four months before the deadline, including documentation of 97 days of actual presence in 2023 and proof of passive income (dividends from Luxembourg entities and Belgian real estate income).
“I thought the renewal would be a mere formality. In reality, the real estate transaction I had planned could have resulted in a period of non-compliance. The preparatory work I did beforehand was crucial.”
— Isabelle, executive, passive resident in Andorra since 2021
How to Prepare for Renewal in 6 Steps
Preparing for a renewal doesn't start 6 weeks before filing. It begins 12 months in advance, when it's still possible to correct any deficiencies. Here is the sequence recommended by Engage experts.
12 months before the due date — Compliance audit
Check the attendance records for the current calendar year and the previous year. Verify the status of the Andorran investment: does it still meet the applicable threshold? Identify any changes in financial, professional, or family circumstances that have occurred since the last certificate was issued.
9 months ago — Investment Review
Confirm that the Andorran asset meets the required threshold (generally €1,000,000, or €400,000 through the Fons d'Habitatge). If a sale is planned, schedule it so that the reinvestment is made before the sale—never after. Any unplanned adjustments may create a discontinuity.
6 months prior — Verification of income and AFA deposit
Gather proof of income for the entire past period. Verify that the security deposit held by the AFA is still in place and in the correct amounts, including for dependents whose circumstances may have changed (birth, reaching the age of majority, leaving the household).
3 months before — Compiling the application
Gather all the required documents: a recent criminal record (issued within the last 3 months as of the filing date), passport, certificate of registration with the local municipality (comú), up-to-date property deed or lease agreement, proof of investment, and proof of insurance. Order any foreign documents that require time to process (criminal record, notarized documents).
6 weeks before — Apostilles and translations
Have the Hague Apostille affixed to all documents of foreign origin. Have documents that are not in Catalan, Spanish, or French translated into Catalan by a certified translator. Check that the application is consistent and complete before submitting it—a missing document does not pause the processing time; it results in outright rejection.
Submission — Immigration Service
Submit the complete application package to the Servei d'Immigració along with the official form. The average processing time is 3 to 8 weeks for a complete application. Receipt of an acknowledgment of receipt confirms that the process has begun—keep this document in a safe place.
Backward Planning at a Glance
The 7 Mistakes That Cause a Renewal to Fail
These errors are among the most common reasons for applications being rejected or delayed. None of them is irreparable if identified early enough—but all of them can be avoided with advance preparation.
Simply being present is not enough. What matters is what can be proven. A resident who has actually spent 100 days in Andorra but has no concrete supporting documentation (local bank statement, utility bill, medical receipt) is unable to prove what they know to be true. Documenting one’s presence should be a daily habit, not something reconstructed after the fact.
Selling one’s apartment in Andorra to purchase another, or to reinvest in company shares, is a perfectly legal transaction. However, if the reinvestment occurs even a few weeks after the sale, a period of non-compliance with Article 96 of Llei 9/2012 arises. The Andorran authorities consider that the requirement for a “permanent and effective” investment must be met without interruption. The solution: coordinate the sale and reinvestment simultaneously, or ensure that the threshold is maintained through other eligible assets during the transition period.
The birth of a child, the arrival of a spouse, or the departure of a dependent parent changes the amount of the deposit required by the AFA. A resident who has registered new dependents without making the additional payment of €12,000 per person will be considered noncompliant at the time of renewal. This is checked systematically.
When a residence permit expires before the renewal application has been filed, the resident can no longer use the standard procedure. The resident must instead use the regularization procedure provided for in Article 81 of the Llei qualificada d'immigració, which is more complex, takes longer, and carries a higher risk of rejection. The rule is simple: submit the application 3 months before the expiration date, without exception.
The Immigration Service rejects any foreign document that is not apostilled or translated into Catalan. This rejection occurs upon receipt—the processing period has not yet begun. As a result, the resident loses several weeks and risks having their permit expire. Take into account the time required for apostilles in certain countries (sometimes 3 to 6 weeks) and plan accordingly.
Proving sufficient income at the time of the initial application is not enough. Each renewal requires up-to-date supporting documents covering the entire period since the last permit was issued. A resident whose income has decreased (due to the liquidation of assets or a reduction in work activity) without this having been anticipated may have their application deemed incomplete or rejected. Income must always be at least 300% of the Andorran minimum wage.
Some Andorran residents with French nationality maintain economic ties with France, which, at the time of renewal, may be interpreted by the French tax authorities as indicating residual tax residency in France. A poorly documented renewal of Andorran residency may exacerbate this risk rather than mitigate it. Each renewal is an opportunity to update the documentation demonstrating that the center of vital interests is indeed in Andorra.
Renewal and Tax Optimization: An Overview
Renewing your residence permit is not just an administrative procedure: it is a unique opportunity to reassess your overall asset and tax structure. The income, investment, and residency requirements that must be met for renewal are exactly the same as those required to fully benefit from Andorra’s tax system: 10% personal income tax (Law 5/2014, Art. 43), exemption on dividends from Andorran companies (Art. 5.j, Law 5/2014), 10% corporate income tax with no substance requirements, and no wealth tax.
A resident who does not meet the minimum presence requirement not only loses their residency status—they also risk having their tax residency reclassified by a foreign tax authority. Administrative compliance and tax compliance are two sides of the same coin.
We assist Andorran residents at every stage of the renewal process—from the initial permit to the long-term permit. Ideally, we begin working with clients 12 months before their permit expires, when there is still time to correct any potential deficiencies. We analyze each case simultaneously from administrative, tax, and wealth management perspectives. A well-prepared renewal is also an opportunity for streamlining—it should never feel like a burden.
Secure Your Next Renewal Now
Residency, financial contributions, income, documents: our experts analyze your situation and compile a complete application package. Plan ahead—failing to renew your status will erase years of residency history.
Schedule an appointment with an Engage expertFAQ — Renewal of Residence Permits in Andorra 2026
What are the key deadlines for renewing residency in Andorra?
Andorran residency is granted in three successive stages: an initial renewal after 3 years, a second renewal after a cumulative total of 6 years (for an additional 3-year permit), and a third renewal after 9 years for a 10-year permit. Eligibility requirements must be met continuously throughout the entire period between each stage—not just at the time of application.
What happens if I miss a renewal?
A failed renewal—whether the application is rejected or the permit expires before it is filed—results in the loss of all accumulated seniority. There is no automatic remedy: the resident must start over from scratch, with a new initial application that includes the required investments, the AFA deposit, and the associated deadlines. In cases where the permit expires before the application is filed, the applicant must follow the regularization procedure under Article 81 of the Llei qualificada d'immigració, which is more restrictive.
Do the 90 days of presence required for passive residency have to be consecutive?
No. The 90 days of minimum presence required for passive residency do not have to be consecutive—they can be spread out freely over the calendar year. However, they must be substantiated with concrete evidence: local bank statements, Andorran utility bills, medical records, or other proof of physical presence in the country. A simple declaration is not sufficient when renewing the residency.
Can I sell my property in Andorra between two renewals?
Yes, provided that you immediately reinvest in another eligible asset (Andorran real estate, shares in a resident company, local financial instruments) so as not to create a gap in maintaining the investment threshold required by Article 96 of Llei 9/2012. Any delay between the sale and the reinvestment constitutes a period of non-compliance that could jeopardize renewal. It is essential to coordinate this transaction with your advisor.
Which documents must be apostilled for a renewal application?
Any document issued by a foreign country must bear the Hague Apostille and be translated into Catalan by a certified translator. This applies in particular to criminal records (if obtained outside Andorra), birth or marriage certificates, and any official non-Andorran document. Failure to provide an apostille or a translation will result in the document being rejected upon receipt—the processing period will not begin.
Is my Andorran income tax reassessed when I renew my residency?
Not directly. Renewal is an administrative immigration procedure, distinct from the IRPF tax return. However, the two are linked: a resident whose presence is insufficient or whose center of vital interests is disputed risks having their tax residency reclassified by a foreign tax authority. Each renewal must be accompanied by updated documentation demonstrating that the individual’s Andorran tax residency is genuine; the 10% IRPF rate (Law 5/2014, Art. 43) applies only to actual Andorran tax residents.
How much does it cost to renew a residence permit in Andorra?
The administrative fees for renewal are set forth in Article 154 of Law 9/2012—they remain modest. The actual cost of a well-prepared renewal includes the fees for obtaining and translating documents, any consulting fees, and—if asset restructuring is necessary—the costs associated with the transaction. Planning ahead allows you to manage all of these expenses and avoid the costs associated with a rejection or an emergency rectification procedure.
