Andorra

Last Updated: 2026-03-31

Official Portal: Govern d’Andorra — Nationality

Embassy Finder: Andorran Diplomatic Missions

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Residency for naturalization	20 years of continuous legal residence (one of the longest in the world)
Language requirement	Catalan (official language; must demonstrate fluency)
Civics test	Basic knowledge of Andorran history, geography, and institutions
Processing time	12—24 months after meeting the 20-year residency requirement
Naturalization fee	Varies; administrative fees apply
Dual citizenship	Not permitted — must renounce all prior nationalities
Citizenship by birth in Andorra	Conditional jus soli: born in Andorra + continuous residence through age 18
Citizenship by descent	Automatic for children of at least one Andorran parent
Governing law	Llei qualificada de la nacionalitat (Qualified Law on Nationality), as amended

Dual Citizenship

Andorra does not permit dual citizenship. This is one of the strictest single-nationality regimes in Europe.

Any person who acquires Andorran nationality must renounce all prior citizenships before the Andorran nationality is granted. Conversely, an Andorran citizen who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality automatically loses Andorran citizenship.

There are no treaty exceptions or bilateral agreements that override this rule. The prohibition applies equally to naturalization, acquisition by descent (when claimed later in life), and all other pathways. Given Andorra’s small population (approximately 80,000, of whom only about 33,000 are Andorran citizens), the government views single nationality as integral to national cohesion.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Soli — Conditional)

A child born on Andorran territory does not automatically acquire Andorran citizenship. However, a person born in Andorra to non-Andorran parents may apply for citizenship if:

They have resided continuously in Andorra from birth through age 18, AND
They apply within one year of reaching the age of majority (18).

This conditional jus soli pathway is one of the few ways to circumvent the 20-year general residency requirement.

By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

A child acquires Andorran nationality at birth if:

At least one parent is an Andorran citizen at the time of birth, regardless of where the child is born.
For children born abroad, the birth must be registered with the Andorran Civil Registry.

Generational limit: There is no explicit statutory generational limit, but persons born abroad to Andorran parents who were themselves born abroad must register within the prescribed period or risk losing the entitlement.

By Adoption

A child under 14 adopted by an Andorran citizen acquires Andorran nationality. For children adopted between ages 14 and 18, the acquisition is not automatic and requires an application. The adopted child must renounce any prior nationality.

By Marriage

Marriage to an Andorran citizen does not confer automatic nationality. A foreign spouse may apply for naturalization after:

3 years of marriage to an Andorran citizen, AND
10 years of continuous legal residence in Andorra.

The marriage pathway reduces the standard 20-year residency requirement to 10 years but still requires a substantial period of integration. The applicant must renounce all prior citizenships.

By Naturalization

Requirement	Details
Lawful residence	20 years of continuous legal residence in Andorra
Language	Fluency in Catalan (oral and written)
Civics	Knowledge of Andorran history, geography, and constitutional institutions
Integration	Demonstrated social and economic integration
Renunciation	Must renounce all prior nationalities before grant
Criminal record	Clean criminal record in Andorra and countries of prior residence
Financial solvency	Must demonstrate adequate means of subsistence

Reduced periods:

10 years for spouses of Andorran citizens (see above).
10 years for persons who completed their entire secondary education in Andorra.
Born in Andorra + continuous residence to age 18: Apply at age 18 (effectively 18 years).

Demographic context: Andorra’s population is approximately 80,000, but only about 33,000 (roughly 40%) hold Andorran citizenship. The majority of residents are Spanish, Portuguese, and French nationals who live and work in the principality but do not qualify for or do not pursue naturalization due to the 20-year residency requirement and mandatory renunciation. This makes Andorra one of the only countries in Europe where citizens are a demographic minority in their own territory.

Tax residency note: Many persons relocate to Andorra for its favorable tax regime (maximum 10% income tax, introduced in 2015). However, obtaining Andorran tax residency (passive or active) does not confer any advantage in the citizenship process. The 20-year clock applies regardless of tax status, wealth, or investment.

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary Renunciation

An Andorran citizen may renounce nationality provided they hold or have been assured another citizenship. Renunciation is effected by declaration before the Civil Registry.

Involuntary Loss

Andorran citizenship is automatically lost when a citizen voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality. This is strictly enforced. There is no retention permit or prior-authorization mechanism.

Additional grounds for loss:

Citizenship obtained by fraud or false declaration may be annulled.
Failure to renounce a prior nationality within the prescribed period after naturalization.

Restoration of Nationality

A former Andorran citizen who lost nationality (including by voluntary acquisition of another citizenship) may apply for restoration. The conditions are:

The applicant must have established legal residence in Andorra.
A reduced residency period may apply (shorter than 20 years), at the discretion of the government.
The applicant must renounce any foreign nationality held.

Restoration is not automatic and is subject to government approval.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

A child found on Andorran territory whose parents are unknown is presumed to be Andorran until proven otherwise.
Stateless persons may apply for naturalization under the general 20-year residency pathway. There is no accelerated pathway specifically for stateless persons.

Document Checklist

Completed nationality application form

Valid passport or travel document from current country of citizenship

Birth certificate (apostilled, with certified Catalan translation)

Marriage certificate (if applying via spousal pathway)

Proof of 20 years continuous legal residence (or 10 years for reduced pathways)

Proof of Catalan language proficiency

Certificate of knowledge of Andorran history and institutions

Criminal background check from Andorra and all countries of residence

Proof of financial solvency (employment contract, tax declarations, bank statements)

Evidence of renunciation of prior nationality (or commitment to renounce upon grant)

Two biometric passport photos

Receipt of administrative fee payment

Sources

Llei qualificada de la nacionalitat — Qualified Law on Nationality, Principality of Andorra. https://www.govern.ad/
Govern d’Andorra — Official government portal with nationality and immigration information. https://www.govern.ad/
Servei d’Immigracio — Andorran Immigration Service. https://www.immigracio.ad/
Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT) — Comparative citizenship law database, Andorra country profile. https://globalcit.eu/
Henley Passport Index — Andorran passport ranking and visa-free access data. https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index

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