Andorra Residency Renewal and the Catalan Language Requirement

Andorran residence permits are temporary and renew on a lengthening ladder: active residency roughly 1 year, then three two-year terms, then ten-year terms; passive residency roughly 2 + 2 + 3 years, then ten-year terms. Before your first renewal you must reach Catalan A1, and A2 before the second. Renewal also requires that you have kept the conditions of your permit — the days of presence, the company or the investment, and health cover.

The renewal ladder

Andorra does not grant permanent residency up front. You start with a short permit and earn longer ones by demonstrating continued compliance.

Exact periods are set by the Immigration Department and have been adjusted before, so confirm the current schedule when you renew. The pattern — several short terms, then long ones after roughly seven years — is stable.

What each renewal checks

• Presence: that you have met the day count — 183 for active, 90 for passive — evidenced through entry/exit data, utility consumption, and CASS contributions for active residents.
• The basis of the permit: an active resident’s company must still be operating and filing; a passive resident’s qualifying investment must still be in place.
• Health cover: current CASS registration (active) or a valid private policy (passive).
• Clean record: no serious criminal issues since the last renewal.
• Housing: a current address in Andorra.

The Catalan requirement

Catalan is Andorra’s only official language. Every new resident must reach Catalan A1 before their first renewal and A2 before the second, as the language law is phased in by permit category. This is a firm requirement, not a formality — but it is manageable:

• The courses are free, run by the government’s language service.
• A1 and A2 are elementary — introductions, everyday phrases, basic reading — not conversational fluency.
• Classes are offered in the evenings and in intensive formats to fit around work.
• You get a certificate on completion, which is what you present at renewal.

In practice most residents get by day to day in Spanish (which nearly everyone speaks) and treat the Catalan course as the price of admission — though learning more of it genuinely helps with schools, administration and feeling part of the place.

Timing and process

• Start the renewal one to two months before expiry; do not let the permit lapse.
• Gather the same categories of document as the original application, updated: proof of address, health cover, company or investment status, the Catalan certificate for the first renewal.
• Attend in person for biometrics.
• A local advisor usually handles the filing; the appointment and document-gathering are on you.

Frequently asked questions

How often do you renew Andorran residency?

Active residency: after 1 year, then every 2 years three times, then every 10 years. Passive residency: after 2 years, then 2, then 3, then every 10 years. Periods are set by the Immigration Department and can change.

Do I have to learn Catalan for Andorran residency?

Since 26 April 2026 you need Catalan A1 at your first renewal and A2 at the second, three years later. Work permits are covered first and the other categories, passive residency included, follow within five years. The courses are free and the level is elementary.

What happens if I don’t meet the day requirement?

Failing the presence test (183 days active, 90 passive) can lead to a renewal being refused. Keep records of your time in the country.

Can I lose my Andorran residency?

Yes — if you stop meeting the conditions: insufficient presence, letting the company lapse or withdrawing the investment, losing health cover, or a serious criminal matter.