Andorra

ANDORRA BUSINESS

Andorra la Vella

  • Sant Julià de Lòria, Escaldes-Engordany, Andorre-la-Vieille
3
Regions covered

Setting up a business in Andorra

Explore the unique opportunities Andorra offers for setting up your business. This rapidly growing microstate has transformed its economic model, attracting a growing number of investors from around the world.

Over the last decade, Andorra has undergone a major transformation, bringing its economic model into line with international standards of transparency. The country’s appeal lies in particular in its favourable tax regime, making it one of the world’s most attractive destinations for setting up a business.

By focusing its strategy on developing new, innovation-driven sectors such as sport, e-sports, biotechnology, healthcare, blockchain technology and digital technology, Andorra offers exceptional opportunities to businesses wishing to set up in the country. Andorra’s strategic diversification paves the way for fruitful partnerships and sustained growth for businesses ready to seize these innovative opportunities.

Living and Working in Andorra: An Exceptional Living Environment for Entrepreneurs

Andorra offers an exceptional living environment for entrepreneurs. This microstate, covering 468 km² and comprising 90% mountains, forests, rivers and lakes, stands out for its political stability, its multilingualism (Catalan, Spanish, French, Portuguese), and its unique social, cultural and natural environment, home to a cosmopolitan population representing over 100 nationalities.

With a strong international focus, Andorra is pursuing a programme of reforms aimed at opening up its economy to foreign investment, promoting tax cooperation and continually adapting its tax system. The growth of the expatriate community, up by 35% and including many artists and athletes, reflects the country’s growing reputation. With its membership of the International Monetary Fund and ongoing negotiations with the European Union, Andorra offers new economic opportunities.

The quality of life in Andorra is also reflected in its excellent education system, which offers free education across three different educational models, as well as international schools. The public health service is recognised for its efficiency, and public safety levels are amongst the highest in the world.

Ranked second in the world for the number of museums per square metre, Andorra offers a rich cultural life. With 5G coverage across all urban centres, 94% of households connected to fibre-optic broadband, and one of the lowest electricity prices in Europe, the country creates an economically attractive environment for entrepreneurs wishing to live and work in Andorra.

Andorra: Accessibility and International Connections

Andorra is situated between France and Spain, with good links to Barcelona (Spain) and Toulouse (France). Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees, Andorra is accessible exclusively by road. From Spain, take the N-145; from France, choose between the N-22, N-20 or N-320 routes, passing through the Puymorens Pass and tunnel. These routes provide quick access to both countries thanks to an excellent road network.

The nearest railway station is in France, at L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre, just 11 kilometres from the border. Services from major French cities, notably Toulouse, ensure efficient connectivity. On the Spanish side, Lérida-Pirineus station offers high-speed train services from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha and Barcelona-Sants stations.

Although Andorra does not have an airport, several flight options are available to residents: Andorra-La Seu Airport (LEU), located in La Seu d’Urgell, offers flights all year round. The Spanish airline Air Nostrum operates commercial flights to various destinations in Spain, including Madrid, offering international and intercontinental connections.

In addition, Andorra is close to several international airports, all situated within a 200-kilometre radius. These include Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS), Carcassonne (CCF), Perpignan (PGF), Girona-Costa Brava (GRO), Barcelona-El Prat (BCN), Reus (REU) and Alguaire (ILD), all of which facilitate international travel.

Several agreements have been signed between Andorra and the European Union, including a customs agreement, in force since 1991 (excluding agricultural products), and an agreement on the automatic exchange of information on financial accounts, signed in February 2016, which incorporates the relevant OECD standards.

What are the advantages for companies in Andorra?

Andorra is attracting an increasing number of investors, with foreign direct investment (FDI) accounting for 12% of GDP in 2023. This success is attributable to several key factors. Firstly, the country’s favourable tax regime, ranked amongst the most attractive in the world, is a major factor. Indeed, with VAT at just 4.5% and tax rates capped at 10% for both corporate and personal income, Andorra offers a highly competitive tax environment.

Furthermore, the Principality benefits from extensive broadband connectivity and electricity tariffs that are among the most affordable in Europe, making it a prime choice for businesses looking to set up operations. The ongoing negotiations for an association agreement between the Principality of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino and the European Union, which began in March 2015, reinforce its plans to open up the country and are of significant bilateral importance.

In October 2020, Andorra joined the International Monetary Fund, leading to negotiations with the countries in its group to establish more favourable tax treaties. It is worth noting that Andorra belongs to the Belgian-Dutch group, the fourth largest in the IMF.

Ranked amongst the world’s best countries for investment, Andorra offers lucrative opportunities for setting up or acquiring businesses, with attractive returns across various sectors such as business, property, investment portfolios, etc. The average wage of €2,672.52 and the minimum wage of €1,568.67 also contribute to an attractive level of purchasing power, thereby strengthening the Principality’s overall appeal to foreign businesses and investors.

What are Andorra’s strategic projects?

Andorra is firmly committed to promoting the digital economy, entrepreneurship and innovation, thereby creating an environment conducive to the emergence of new ideas and the growth of technology-focused businesses.

One of Andorra’s major strategic projects centres on its ambitious goal of energy self-sufficiency. Currently standing at 22%, the plan for 2030 targets 33%, and by 2050, the aim is to reach at least 50%, or even 80%. This focus demonstrates the country’s commitment to sustainability and the responsible management of energy resources.

Furthermore, the country offers exceptional facilities for the storage and handling of goods under a duty-suspension regime. This approach facilitates the internationalisation of the commercial sector by offering flexibility in re-export.

Andorra is improving its accessibility with the construction of a national heliport currently underway, strengthening the country’s connectivity and facilitating business travel, which opens up new opportunities for companies wishing to establish a presence in the region.

Andorra is also fully embracing the digital age with the establishment of the Data Office, offering significant opportunities for businesses focused on data management and analysis. Furthermore, the Andorra Living Lab initiative provides a dedicated space for the coordination of innovation projects, research, design and validation, involving all stakeholders in the ecosystem. This collaborative approach fosters the development of new products and services whilst encouraging the adoption of new technologies and in-depth reflection on them.

Andorra recently unveiled the National Plan for Innovation and Diversification, a government-led strategy aimed at transforming the country’s economic model and reducing its dependence on traditional sectors by developing high value-added activities based on technology, research and knowledge.

The plan provides for a gradual increase in public investment in innovation, rising from around 1% of the national budget to some 7 to 8% over the next decade, with the aim of attracting talent, supporting start-ups and consolidating an innovation ecosystem that is competitive on an international scale. The plan centres on hyper-specialised sectors considered strategic for economic diversification, such as technology applied to healthcare and the life sciences, the nature- and sport-related economy, and sustainable construction, whilst fostering collaboration between the public sector, businesses, research centres and universities.

With its bold vision and ambitious strategic projects, Andorra is positioning itself as a place conducive to business growth and prosperity, offering a favourable environment for innovation and economic development.

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