Residing in Andorra is wonderful for many reasons, such as the country’s taxation, the quality of life it offers, the incomparable economic and business environment of the principality and an enviable location, both for its landscapes and its proximity to Spain and France. But to obtain the Andorran nationality is to go one step further because of the benefits and rights it grants to its citizens. Let’s see how to get it and what are its advantages.
Requisites to obtain the Andorran nationality
First of all, it should be noted that the requirements to obtain Andorran nationality are high, since, given the benefits of becoming a full member of the country, there is a great demand for this passport. Therefore, we list the main requirements to obtain this document.
Minimum duration of residence
The minimum period to obtain Andorran residency is long, although it is much shorter in the case of minors, who only have to complete their studies in the school system of the principality and reside for a decade in the country, while in the case of adults the minimum residency to obtain this document is twenty years.
Renouncing your previous nationality
The legislation of the Principality of Andorra does not allow dual nationality for its citizens. In this sense, the rule indicates that whoever obtains the Andorran nationality must explicitly renounce to the previous one within a maximum period of 5 years from its obtaining.
There are only two exceptions to this rule: that someone with Andorran nationality obtains another one without explicitly renouncing the first one, and that a minor has two nationalities, although he/she must renounce one of them when he/she reaches the age of majority.
Other eligibility criteria
In addition to compliance with the deadlines for obtaining Andorran nationality and the explicit renunciation of previous nationality, there are other requirements that should be indicated when completing this process. It is worth remembering that the principality demands a high commitment from foreign citizens who wish to obtain this document that goes beyond residence, which makes the following criteria indispensable:
- Knowledge of Andorran culture and the Catalan language which must be certified by means of an exam.
- Demonstrable integration in the Andorran society, participating in the day to day life of the principality.
- Financial and economic stability that allows citizens to support themselves in the country.
Special cases
Beyond the natural situations, there are some circumstances in which obtaining Andorran nationality may be easier -or at least, reduce the minimum requirements in the time of stay in the principality-, such as obtaining the nationality by the origin of the ancestors or by marriage.
Nationality by marriage
In the case of marriage to an Andorran, the time required to obtain the nationality is much shorter, specifically, one must reside in the principality for three years, regardless of whether this occurs before or after the marriage or whether this formalization takes place during this period.
Nationality by origin
Nationality by origin is obtained by being born in the Principality of Andorra and one of the parents being a national of the country. If both parents are foreigners, but one of them has been resident for more than a decade, their offspring will also obtain nationality at birth. In adoption situations, a 14-year-old child adopted by Andorrans will obtain a provisional passport immediately. Finally, origins go one step further and are also valid in the case of having an Andorran grandparent, as long as more than 15 years have been spent in the territory.
Special contributions to Andorra
There is a third special case when it comes to obtaining Andorran nationality, both for its exceptionality and uniqueness: the Parliament of Andorra can grant nationality directly to those persons who have rendered exceptional services to the country.
How is the nationality application process?
As with any procedure of these characteristics, both in the principality and in any other country in the world, to obtain Andorran nationality it is necessary to carry out a process, in which specific documentation is required and which entails certain times and the possibility of receiving a positive or negative response.
Required documentation
In order to obtain the Andorran nationality it is obligatory to present a series of documents, which are essential to guarantee that the application for this certificate is approved. We speak, among others, of data relative to the identity, the economic and personal situation of the applicant in the country or the absence of criminal record:
- Original passport and a copy to submit.
- Original birth certificate or, failing that, certified copy.
- Certificate of purchase or rent of a house.
- Private medical insurance and medical certificate.
- Passport size photo.
- Marriage certificate.
- Certificate of absence of criminal record.
- Proof of income.
Application process: Step-by-step
As can be guessed from all the requirements we have discussed, obtaining Andorran nationality is not a simple task. In fact, to achieve it it is necessary to carry out a process of several steps that does not guarantee a positive final resolution when each and every one of the following phases is not scrupulously fulfilled:
- Compilation and provision of all the aforementioned documentation in a legal manner.
- Drafting of the application in Catalan by sworn translators.
- Submission of the application and all supporting information.
- Publication of the resolution in the BOPA -Butlletlí Oficial del Principat d’Andorra-.
- Collection of the naturalization certificate after the oath of allegiance to the Principality of Andorra at the citizenship ceremony.
- Requesting and obtaining the Andorran passport at the corresponding office.
How long can the process take?
The resolution of this application is usually quick as long as all the required documentation is properly provided. The answer appears in the BOPA, which is published every Wednesday -on Thursday in case the previous Wednesday is a holiday- and, from that moment on, the provisional passport can be picked up. As for the official nationality, from the moment of the publication in the BOPA a period of 5 years is given for the completion of the Andorran culture exam in Catalan.
Who decides on the application for nationality?
The final decision about obtaining the Andorran nationality of any citizen is made by the government of the principality. However, as a general rule, despite the difficulties and the large number of requirements demanded by the Andorran governmental bodies, the answer is generally affirmative provided that all demands are met.
Obligations and limitations inherent to the nationality.
Becoming a member of Andorran society entails, as in any other nation, a series of rights and obligations that we must know, enjoy and fulfill as citizens. Knowing the responsibilities associated with the nationality of the principality and understanding how the renunciation of other nationalities works is fundamental in these cases.
Legal responsibilities
Every Andorran citizen, regardless of whether he/she has obtained the nationality by origin or by naturalization, must comply at all times with the laws and taxation in force in the country. Ignorance of the laws does not exempt from their compliance, hence the importance of the Andorran culture test required to obtain the nationality.
Renouncing other nationalities
Unlike other countries, which allow their citizens to maintain dual nationality in certain cases, in the Principality of Andorra this possibility does not exist, with the only exception of involuntarily obtaining the nationality of another country without the need to renounce the Andorran nationality, since in case of renunciation it would also be lost.
Benefits of being an Andorran citizen
Once we know the process to obtain Andorran nationality and the obligations involved in obtaining it, it is time to highlight the main advantages it offers to its citizens. Its level of demand already gives some clues of its benefits, since the requirements are usually raised to the level of demand.
Political rights
When a citizen obtains the definitive passport of the principality -that is to say, once he has passed, as a final phase, the Andorran culture exam-, he becomes a full member of the citizenship of Andorra. Therefore, he can actively participate in the political life of the country, both by voting in elections and by holding public office.
Legal and social protection
Another of the benefits that the Andorran nationality grants to the residents in the country is the access to all the social services that the principality offers to its citizens, as well as to the protection that each person may need at some time during his stay in the country, both socially and legally.
Tax advantages
It is no secret that Andorra is one of the most attractive countries in Europe in the field of taxation, which justifies the intention to obtain citizenship in many cases. If we add the tax benefits for businessmen -including certain cases of exemption in the corporate tax and income tax- and entrepreneurs with the elevated tax advantages, we can find that Andorra is one of the most attractive countries in Europe in terms of taxation, which justifies the intention to obtain the nationality in many cases.
Quality of life
The Principality of Andorra provides all of its citizens with an exceptional quality of life. Factors like its educational level, security and low levels of criminal activity, access to public healthcare and top-quality public services are clearly the reason why many residents pursue the Andorran nationality.
Given how important this document is to applicants, our recommendation is to always work with professionals who are experienced in this matter to ensure a successful application. As experts in legal and tax aspects, we at Augé Legal are open to help all citizens who wish to embark themselves in the process of obtaining the Andorran nationality.
