Andorra Work Residence Permit Renewal Process Explained

Andorra (Principat d'Andorra — Principality of Andorra) grants foreign employees a combined residence and work authorisation (autorització de residència i treball per compte d'altri) that must be renewed on a fixed cycle: the first authorisation lasts 1 year, it is then renewed three times for 2 years each, and after 7 years renewals are granted for 10 years at a time. Renewals are handled in person by the Servei d'Immigració of the Govern d'Andorra and depend on proving that you have both lived and worked in Andorra permanently and effectively. This EU Helpers guide walks through the timing, documents, costs and common pitfalls — international candidates can explore Andorran opportunities through EU Helpers. Andorra is NOT an EU member (it signed an EU association agreement on 19 October 2026 that is not yet in force), NOT a Schengen member, NOT a eurozone member (it uses the euro under a 2011 Monetary Agreement with the EU), NOT a NATO member, and has been a Council of Europe member since 1994.

Essential Context: Andorran Permit Validity and Renewal

Understanding the renewal cycle helps you plan years ahead.

Who Needs to Renew

Every holder of a time-limited Andorran immigration authorisation must renew it before it expires. This guide focuses on employees, but similar renewal procedures exist for other categories:

• Employees with a residence and work authorisation (procedure A.2).
• Family members holding residence for family reunification (procedure B.2).
• Self-employed residents (residència i treball per compte propi, procedure J.2).
• Cross-border workers living in Spain or France (treball de fronterer, procedure C.2).
• Teaching staff, non-lucrative residents and professionals with international projection, each under their own renewal procedure.

Seasonal and temporary authorisations are different: they end with the contract and are not renewed in the same way.

When to File: The 60-Day Deadline

The official renewal procedure sets a 60-day deadline before the current authorisation expires. Because applications are made in person by appointment, EU Helpers recommends booking your cita prèvia at least two to three months before the expiry date shown on your card, so that the file is lodged on time even if appointments are scarce.

• Plan early — new criminal record certificates or apostilles from abroad can take weeks.
• Never let the card expire — an expired authorisation can mean losing legal residence and having to start again under the quota.
• Keep your address and job details up to date — any change you did not report during the validity period must be documented with the renewal.

Step-by-Step Renewal Process

1. Check your expiry date and book a cita prèvia with the Servei d'Immigració.
2. Request your CASS contribution extract (extracte de punts) and a residence certificate from your comú (parish council).
3. Gather your passport, current authorisation card, a recent photo and, for the first renewal only, your payslips.
4. Complete the renewal application form (T2G002) and the signature document.
5. Attend the appointment, submit the file and pay the €22.61 fee.
6. Wait for the decision — the official maximum is 2 months — and collect your renewed card.

Conditions for Renewal

The Servei d'Immigració renews the authorisation when you can show that, since the initial grant or the last renewal:

• You have carried out a professional activity in Andorra, reflected in your CASS contribution record.
• You have lived in Andorra permanently and effectively — long absences can put the renewal at risk.
• You remain registered with your comú at your Andorran address.
• You have reported any changes in your situation, such as a new employer or a new home.

Documentation Checklist

Timing: How Long the Renewal Takes

Fees and Costs

The official fee for renewing a residence and work authorisation is €22.61, much lower than the €190.96 charged for the initial authorisation. Extra costs may include a new passport, photos and, if you report a change of civil status, apostilled certificates and sworn translations of documents that are not in Catalan, Spanish or French. Fees can change, so confirm the current amounts with the Govern d'Andorra.

Family Members on Reunification Permits

Family members holding residence for family reunification renew their own authorisation (procedure B.2) on the same cycle as the main holder: 1 year, then 2-year renewals, then 10-year renewals after 7 years. Aligning their renewal dates with yours avoids gaps. The main holder must still meet the income and accommodation conditions, and family members must keep health cover — through CASS or private insurance — throughout.

Change of Address or Employer During Renewal

• New address — update your registration with the comú and bring the new residence certificate.
• New employer — a change of job must be reported to the Servei d'Immigració; if it was not reported earlier, bring the new contract and CASS records to the renewal.
• Unemployment — gaps in your CASS record will be visible; get advice before the renewal on how to document your situation.
• Long stays abroad — keep evidence that Andorra remained your permanent home.

Working Toward Long-Term Status

After 7 years of renewals, the authorisation is renewed for 10 years at a time, which gives long-term stability without frequent paperwork. Nationals of countries with a signed and ratified agreement with Andorra (Spain, France and Portugal) follow their own rules for this stage. Andorran nationality requires 20 years of residence; a reform approved by the Consell General in May 2026 allows non-consecutive periods to count and requires Catalan at A1 level for applicants under 70. Keeping every renewal on time protects your continuous record.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

• Booking the appointment too late — appointments can be scarce; missing the deadline can cost you your status.
• Not reporting a change of employer — unreported changes complicate the renewal and can be treated as a breach.
• Forgetting the comú certificate — the Servei d'Immigració checks your registered address.
• Spending too long outside Andorra — renewal depends on permanent and effective residence.
• Letting your passport expire — renew it before your residence card.
• Ignoring family members' dates — each family member's authorisation needs its own renewal.

Final Guidance

Renewing an Andorran work residence permit is a predictable process once you know the cycle: 1 year, then three 2-year renewals, then 10-year renewals after 7 years. File with the Servei d'Immigració before the 60-day deadline, bring your CASS contribution extract, comú residence certificate, current card and passport, pay the €22.61 fee and expect a decision within 2 months. Report changes of employer or address as they happen, keep Andorra as your genuine permanent home and renew family members' permits in step with yours. Always confirm current requirements with the Govern d'Andorra before your appointment. International candidates can explore Andorran opportunities through EU Helpers. EU Helpers supports foreign workers with renewal planning, document checklists, CASS and comú paperwork, family-member renewals, and clarity on the latest official requirements from Andorran authorities.