Andorra citizenship and investment: what’s real, what’s not, and the legal paths to obtain nationality

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🇦🇩 Becoming an Andorran citizen vs simply residing in the country

Becoming a resident and becoming a citizen are two different realities. Residence gives you the right to live in the country, but always under conditions: renewals, minimum presence requirements, income and continuity obligations.

Citizenship, in contrast, is permanent. It cannot be lost by staying abroad too long and grants full civic and political rights such as voting or holding public office.

This guide explains the real mechanisms for obtaining nationality, why Andorra does not offer citizenship by investment as other countries, how long the process takes and what conditions apply to adults and children.

➤ If you are still evaluating your move to the country, you may want to read Types of residence in Andorra: all administrative categories which outlines all residence categories, as well as Types of residence in Andorra: active, passive and tax residency, which clarifies concepts usually mixed.

☑️ Is it easy to obtain Andorran citizenship?

Compared with many countries, obtaining Andorran nationality is not simple — but the system is clear and transparent.

There is no fast track, no “passport for investment” and no programme where a financial contribution grants automatic nationality. Unlike Malta or Montenegro, Andorra has never had a citizenship-by-investment scheme.

The Andorran model is based on:

• years of residence,
• effective integration,
• language knowledge,
• and a real connection with the country.

For adults, the essential requirement is long-term, continuous residence under any valid residency regime (active, passive, etc.).

➤ If you want to understand how it is Living and working in Andorra read our article. Likewise, the article Settling in Andorra with confidence: essential resources for expatriates gives a full overview of the scenery.

🛂 Dual nationality: a strict single-citizenship regime

One of the most defining aspects of Andorran nationality law is its regime of exclusive nationality.

Andorra requires:

• Renunciation of your current nationality to obtain the Andorran one.
• No dual citizenship under any circumstance.
• Revocation of Andorran citizenship if a citizen voluntarily acquires another nationality later on.
• For children, temporary nationality may be granted until official renunciation of the previous nationality is proven.

For many applicants, this requirement — more than the years of residence — is the most decisive factor, as renouncing one’s passport is irreversible and highly personal.

It is true that, in practical therms, some andorrans might have two or more nationalities (the more common are spanish and french). However, in case any authorities are aware of this, andorran nationality would be revoqued.

👶 Citizenship by origin: children born to Andorran or resident parents

Andorra does not follow automatic jus soli (“birthright citizenship”). Nationality by origin applies in specific cases.

1️⃣ Children born in Andorra

A child born in Andorra may acquire nationality if:

• at least one parent is an Andorran citizen, or
• at least one parent has been legally resident in the country for ten years at the time of birth.

If the parents have not yet completed ten years of residence, the child receives provisional nationality, and at age 18 must confirm the desire to retain Andorran citizenship.

2️⃣Children born abroad

When a child is born abroad:

• nationality applies if at least one parent is Andorran;
• but if the family is living outside Andorra, the child must reside in the Principality for five years before nationality can be granted.

This structure ensures both a blood link and a genuine connection with the country.

🏠 Citizenship by naturalisation: long-term residence and integration

For most foreign adults, naturalisation is the main route to Andorran nationality.

An applicant may request citizenship if they meet:

• 20 years of legal residence in Andorra; or
• completion of Andorran schooling + 10 years of residence;
• formal renunciation of previous nationality;
• a clean criminal record.

🗣️ Language and cultural requirements

Applicants who did not study in Andorra must:

• pass a written Catalan exam covering cultural and civic knowledge, and
• complete an oral Catalan interview before the authorities.

Once all requirements are met, the file is processed by the Ministry of Interior.

➤ To understand why Catalan has become central in immigration procedures, see Catalan in Andorra.

💍 Citizenship through marriage

Marriage to an Andorran citizen gives access to nationality, but under strict conditions.

A foreign spouse may apply if:

• their partner is already an Andorran citizen,
• the applicant has lived in Andorra for three years (before or after the marriage),
• they renounce their original nationality,
• they have a clean criminal record,
• the couple cohabits continuously throughout the process.

As in naturalisation, the spouse must also:

• pass a written Catalan exam, and
• pass an oral interview.

👨‍👩‍👧 Children of naturalised citizens

The law includes simplified mechanisms for families.

🔸Minor children

Parents may include their minor children directly in their own naturalisation file.

🔸Adult unmarried children

Children aged 18+ who are unmarried may apply if they have lived in Andorra for at least five years before applying.

🔸Temporary nationality

Temporary nationality may be granted until the family formally proves the renunciation of their previous citizenship — by the parents or by the child at 18.

⭐ Nationality vs Tax Residency

Being a national of a country does not automatically make someone a tax resident in that jurisdiction. However, nationality does guarantee the right to reside permanently in a country, and in practical terms, it is very common for nationality and tax residency to coincide.

To explore the concept of tax residency in depth, we recommend reading the article Tax residency in Andorra.

You may also learn more about the Andorran tax framework in Taxation in Andorra and Wealth tax in Europe: countries where it exists and why Andorra is an exception.

🧠 Becoming an Andorran citizen: a meaningful but demanding decision

The rules for obtaining nationality are stable and transparent, but require:

• time (3 years in marriage cases, 10–20 years for naturalisation),
• Catalan proficiency,
• clean background checks,
• and above all, renunciation of any other citizenship.

For families, procedures are often easier than expected because children can be included.

In reality, the main difficulty is not the bureaucracy, but deciding whether to give up your current nationality in most of the cases. For many, however, the long-term stability, political rights and quality of life make the commitment worthwhile.

If you want to analyse your personal case — years of residence, family options or implications of renouncing your current nationality — you may contact us confidentially, throughout a private consultation or throughout our contact form.

Last review: November 2025