Electronic and international payments in Andorra: what changes under Decree 415/2025 and how it affects you

Reading time: 7–9 minutes

💬 Why this decree changes the way you operate with banks

For years, international payments have been an opaque landscape: unclear exchange rates, bank margins that were never properly disclosed, and final amounts that were difficult to anticipate. A simple card payment abroad could turn into an unpleasant surprise a few days later.

Decree 415/2025 corrects this situation and brings Andorra fully in line with European Union standards, strengthening transparency in currency conversions and in all operations involving foreign exchange.
It affects everyday situations: paying by card, using foreign ATMs or sending international transfers.

If you wish to understand the broader regulatory framework on Payments and banking services in Andorra: key rules, fees and customer rights, you can consult the article.

📈 Fees, margins and exchange rates: what your bank must tell you

🧾 Your right to know the real cost before confirming the operation

One of the core principles of the decree is straightforward: no currency conversion may be opaque.
From now on, your bank must disclose:

• the exact exchange rate applied
• the margin added over the official rate
• the exact amount you will pay in euros
• the amount the other party will receive in their currency

To illustrate, a real example:

If the ECB sets 1 € = 1.10 $, but your bank applies 1 € = 1.06 $,
those 4 cents of difference are the bank’s margin.

This margin must be communicated before you confirm the transaction.
The era of paying “blindly” is over.

📊 Comparing banks becomes easier

All banks will be required to present information in the same format.
This will allow you to:

• identify which bank is more competitive
• compare real fees
• anticipate the total cost before paying or transferring

➤ To understand how Andorra’s banking system works, you may find helpful the article Banking system of Andorra: Andorran banks, financial regulation and international presence.

🌍 What exactly changes in payments, ATMs and transfers?

💳 Card payments in a foreign currency

When paying in a currency other than the euro, you will be shown:

• the applied exchange rate
• the bank’s margin
• the amount you will pay in euros
• the amount received by the merchant

You will also receive a notification (SMS or app) indicating the applied margin.
In practice: greater control and no surprises.

The use of the euro as a reference currency stems from the Monetary Agreement between Andorra and the European Union: origin, meaning and impact on the Andorran financial system, which you can read if you wish to understand the framework.

🏧 Withdrawing cash from an ATM abroad

ATMs operated by affected institutions must disclose:

• the total cost of the conversion
• the margin added to the exchange rate
• the final amount in euros

You will be able to choose whether the conversion is performed by the ATM or by your bank. For the first time, pricing becomes clear enough to select the most cost-efficient option.

🌐 International transfers involving currency conversion

Before sending money outside Andorra, your bank must specify:

• the total fee
• the margin applied to the exchange rate
• the final amount the recipient will (approximately) receive

This is particularly relevant for businesses working with international clients or suppliers.
It prevents accounting discrepancies and unexpected differences in incoming payments.

Until now, it was common not to know precisely how much money would reach the beneficiary.

🔍 How this improves your day-to-day operations

✔ Greater transparency

You will know which bank is more expensive, what margin is applied and the real cost you are assuming.

✔ Fewer surprises

In card payments, transfers and ATM withdrawals.

✔ Better control of expenses

Especially useful if you work with several currencies — increasingly common in Andorra.

✔ Greater security

You will always receive information on a durable medium: email, SMS or app notification.

✔ Easier operations with the EU

Thanks to the Monetary Agreement, Andorra is once again fully aligned with European rules.

➤ If you want to understand this European context better, you may find helpful the article SEPA in Andorra: what it is, why it exists and how it works within the financial system.

🧾 Conclusion: a change that benefits both consumers and businesses

Decree 415/2025 reshapes the way Andorran banks disclose information about currency conversions.
Although it shares the same purpose as previous regulation, it goes further and applies to situations that were previously not expressly covered.

In essence, it brings banking practices closer to any other sector: you must know the real cost before confirming a transaction.

From now on, every operation will be more transparent, more predictable and easier to compare.
It is a genuine step forward in clarity, safety and informed decision-making.

📞 Need to review a specific transaction?

Each case carries its nuances: different margins, special fees, unusual currencies or urgent transfers.
If you would like us to review your transaction or advise which bank may suit your situation best, you may contact us through our contact form.

If you have questions on any other matter or have not found the answers you were looking for, feel free to consult our publications section.

Last reviewed: December 2025