It’s not always easy to get a simple answer on topics regarding Andorra. If you’re looking for info on whether or not you need a Schengen visa to visit or leave Andorra, you’ve found the right place.
Whether you are a tourist looking to visit Andorra for a quick trip or a resident wondering about your rights, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make sense of a fairly complex situation.
The Schengen Area
In 2026 the Schengen Area consists of 29 European states, 25 of which are EU states. The area allows freedom of travel within its boundaries for tourists and residents alike, and a lack of border control at their mutual borders.
This allows the entire region to operate as a single jurisdiction (as far as travel is concerned), allowing free movement in Europe.
Member states co-operate with each other to ensure security, and are allowed to travel over internal Schengen borders into another country to catch criminals in the act of committing offences.
At external borders of the Schengen Area however, non-EU nationals need to present a travel document and visa, or a relevant residence permit, along with any supporting documentation for their visit.
Schengen Visas
Entry and travel throughout the Schengen is covered in detail, with examples in this document. Overall, categories are broken down into:
- Citizens or residents of EU or Schengen member states.
- Overseas citizens, exempt from needing to obtain a short-stay visa.
- Overseas citizens, needing to obtain a short-stay visa.
Andorra and the Schengen Area
Andorra has not yet signed on to the Schengen Agreement in 2026.
On April 10 2026 a new EES (electronic) system came into force in the EU specifically at the Andorran border. Parallel talks with the EU to sign a future agreement meant much confusion has remained whether Andorra has joined the Schengen (something being discussed in the EU agreement). As of 2026 no EU-Andorra agreement has been ratified and so Andorra remains for the moment out of the Schengen space, meaning it is necessary to pass through border control when travelling into/out of the country, either via Spain or France.
Border controls with both France and Spain are more linked to customs control than immigration. Due to Andorra’s low VAT tax, travellers are often checked to ensure they are not importing greater than allowed quantities of mostly alcohol and tobacco to the Schengen Area.
Andorra began Schengen negotiations in 2015 with the support of Monaco and San Marino, seeking a similar arrangement to that of Lichtenstein and the talks still continue into 2026.
As it is not possible to fly directly into Andorra, it is necessary to enter the Schengen Area first. This means one must enter the Schengen with an appropriate visa, then enter Andorra. This essentially means Schengen visa rules apply de facto to Andorra but the days you spend in Andorra do not need to count towards your Schengen 90/180 days if you correctly stamp whether electronically or psychically your leaving of the EU at the Andorran border.
Tourist Visa for Andorra
Andorra does not require a visa upon entry for visits less than 90 days, however a valid passport or EU identity card must be carried for entry.
In Theory
While a visa is not required for short-term tourists to enter Andorra, in theory a double or multiple entry visa is required for tourists to leave Andorra and re-enter the Schengen area.
Therefore, without a multiple entry visa it is possible to be denied entry to Andorra (since if you enter and are denied entry back into the Schengen, you are stuck in Andorra).
In Practice
Despite border controls, the likelihood of being stopped and asked for travel documents is rare, but it is worth knowing you could be turned away at the border. Furthermore you should be aware that if you are looking for an EU exit stamp you will likely need to leave your vehicle and go present yourself to the border control (they won’t stop you).
Future Residents to Andorra
Those who are non-EU citizens, planning to become residents in Andorra, either through passive residency, self-employment or on a work permit should consider having a valid multiple entry Schengen visa before beginning their application.
Though in the past you did not need to show this visa to Andorran immigration, since 2025 they have tightened the rules and now demand to see a valid visa into EU before processing any kind of Andorran residency application. It is simple enough to arrange to avoid the risk of a delay in your application or possibility of denial.
Residents of Andorra in the Schengen Area
For residents of Andorra not from an EU or Schengen country, there’s good news and bad news.
If you have the right to live or work in Andorra (either via residency or work permit), then you have the same rights of travel as a foreigner with residency in France or Spain.
“The entry and circulation regime in France and Spain for foreigners holding an Andorran residence permit is identical to that applicable to foreigners holding a French or Spanish residence permit.”
In Theory
Foreign residents of either Spain or France are allowed unrestricted travel to other Schengen member states for periods up to 90 days. Stays longer than this will likely require a residence permit.
In theory, according to Decree no. 2003-740, foreign residents of Andorra have these same rights.
In Practice
Many residents of Andorra often enter the Schengen area via Spain and France; more specifically Barcelona and Toulouse. As these countries are familiar with Andorra, entry is not a problem so long as one carries a valid residency permit.
Problems can arise when travelling through countries with immigration officials not familiar with Andorra.
Various clients have experienced difficulty – it’s rarely about laws and more often about lack of knowledge. Though the outcome is almost always being allowed to continue travelling.
Aside from their passport, many foreign residents carry the following to support their movements:
- Residency card
- Copy of a bank statement or onward travel (such as a bus ticket to Andorra in the case of returning home to Andorra)
Some suggest printing a copy of the decree and bringing it with you in case of needing to plead your case at an airport.
Andorra & Schengen Visas: Clear as Mud
Unfortunately for now, this is as clear as it gets. Do know that most people either visiting or residing in Andorra never have any trouble at the borders or when travelling abroad.
With any luck, this article will need a complete review soon enough when future agreements between EU and Andorra are made!