Moving to live in Andorra: complete stage-by-stage checklist

If you are thinking “we’re off to Andorra”, you probably have your head full of practical doubts: paperwork, schools, healthcare, cost of living, areas… and the fear of making a bad housing decision and paying for it every day.

This guide brings everything down to earth with a phased checklist for moving to Andorra, from before you make the move to your first month settled in.

Before lifting a finger: define your “removal type”

Are you coming alone, as a couple, or with children?

Your personal situation radically changes your priorities:

• Single or couple without children: total flexibility, you can prioritise location over space
• Family with children: schools, outdoor spaces, safety of the surrounding area
• With elderly dependants: accessibility, nearby health services

Defining this from the outset filters out 70% of the options property in Andorra.

Working from home or in the office? This changes the local area more than it seems

According to data from Andorra Telecom, optical fibre reaches 100% of the territory, but the quality of life varies depending on the area.

Actual budget: housing + living expenses + buffer

Moving from Spain: a step-by-step checklist (without the drama)

30 to 15 days before: what is best to get sorted

Arrival week: the urgent vs. the important

First month: order so as not to live in “patch mode”

According to Government of Andorra, the residency process can take 2-3 months, so it is best to start it as soon as possible.

The first month in Andorra: the basics to get you up and running

Municipal registration and everyday administrative tasks (what to prepare to save yourself extra trips)

Other frequent procedures: residence permit (workers, passive residents, entrepreneurs), CASS (social security) and local bank account (makes payments and direct debits easier).

Always carry copies of everything. Andorran procedures are efficient but require complete documentation.

Day-to-day services: mobile phone, internet, banks, basic logistics

Internet and mobile: Andorra Telecom is the main operator, with fibre up to 1Gbps. Installation takes between 5 and 10 working days, with a cost of €40-70/month depending on the package.

Banks: the main entities are Andbank, MoraBanc and Crèdit Andorrà. You will need a passport, proof of residence and proof of income. Opening an account usually takes between 1 and 2 weeks.

Supermarkets: The main supermarket chains are E.Leclerc, Pyrénées and Bon Preu, with shorter opening hours than in Spain (they close on Sundays).

How to organise yourself if you are still in temporary rented accommodation

Take your time. A bad housing decision weighs on you for years.

Cost of living: where your money goes (and how to plan for it)

Housing: the ultimate driver (and why there is such a huge difference between areas)

Check updated prices in properties by parish.

Expenses that people underestimate: heating, parking, maintenance

Heating (October-April): a well-insulated flat costs between €80 and €150/month; an old one, between €150 and €250/month; a detached house, between €200 and €400/month. According to the National Meteorological Service, Andorra records sub-zero temperatures for 4-5 months of the year.

Parking: included in the property price, €0; additional rent, between €80 and €150/month; public car park, between €2 and €3/hour.

Maintenance: flat management fee, between €60 and €200/month; garden maintenance for a detached house, between €100 and €200/month in season.

“Reasonable ”buffer" for first-quarter unexpected expenses

Living in Andorra with children: what really weighs on the decision

Schools: how to think about the choice without obsessing over it

Factors to consider: languages you wish to prioritise, distance from the school to home, timetables and compatibility with your work, and cost (some are state-subsidised or private). Consult official information at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

Family routines: schedules, mobility and “practical life”

Standard opening hours: schools from 8:30 to 16:30 (with lunch service); shops from 9:00 to 20:00 (closed on Sundays); supermarkets from 8:00 to 21:00 (reduced hours on bank holidays).

Mobility Public transport is limited (buses), a car is almost essential with children, and distances are short but with snow in winter.

What to look for in a family home (without being too demanding)

Explore family townhouses o spacious flats According to budget.

Sanity and peace of mind: how it fits into your daily routine

What questions to ask if you are coming with family or medical conditions

The Andorran healthcare system (CASS) provides compulsory public coverage (with 75% of expenses covered), so a supplementary private insurance policy is recommended (to cover the remaining 25%). There is a network of health centres across all parishes, with the Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell serving as the main point of reference.

Check official information in the CASS.

Distances and access: what matters more than “it’s close on the map”

In Andorra, 15 km can be 15 minutes by car in summer or between 30 and 40 minutes in winter with snow. Consider the distance to the nearest health centre, winter access (main vs. secondary roads) and actual travel time, not just the kilometres.

Remote working in Andorra: which area suits your style

If you want city life and amenities

Andorra la Vella / Escaldes-Engordany: everything within walking distance or a 5-minute drive, restaurants, shops, gyms, and a more vibrant atmosphere. Central flats from €1,200/month rent.

If you prefer peace and nature

La Massana / Ordino natural setting, views and peace and quiet, larger properties for the same price, although you need a car for everything. Chalets y terraced houses with a garden.

According to Bank of Spain, homeworking is consolidating the trend of moving to less urban areas.

Teleworker checklist: internet, electricity, noise, actual workspace

What people prioritise when choosing a home in Andorra (and why)

Parking and storage room: the “non-negotiable” that turns up late if you don't think about it

With snow between 4 and 5 months a year, street parking means shovelling snow every morning; renting a separate parking space adds more than €100/month. The storage room, on the other hand, is key for ski gear, mountain equipment and seasonal storage. Filter from the start properties with parking.

Orientation, light and insulation: comfort in winter (and lower bills)

A southern orientation provides between 2 and 3 hours more direct sunlight per day, an interior temperature between 2 and 3 °C higher without heating, and a saving of between 30 and 40 †/month on heating. Triple glazing compared to double glazing reduces consumption by around 25%, and thick walls compared to thin partitions improve thermal and acoustic comfort. According to the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving, insulation can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.

Practical layout: one that works in everyday life, not just in photos

Signs of a good layout: a kitchen integrated or connected with the living room, bedrooms separated from common areas (noise), a full bathroom plus a cloakroom for families, fitted wardrobes for storage, and few hallways that waste square metres.

Comparison of parishes to live in Andorra

Each parish has a different profile. This table summarises the main differences:

Comparison of parishes for living in Andorra. Indicative prices.

Tell us your profile and we'll tell you which areas suit you

Tell us if you are coming as a family or alone, if you work remotely, your approximate dates and budget, and where from Versus Andorra We help you choose an area and send you real options that fit you.

You can explore properties available in Andorra according to your profile, comparing areas in the 7 parishes of Andorra, let's see flats, penthouses, terraced houses o chalets.

O contact directly via WhatsApp, phone call or to schedule viewings.

Frequently asked questions about moving to Andorra