Andorra, a Pyrenean country rich in history and culture
Located in the Pyrenees, Andorra is a beautiful country to discover whose capital is Andorra la Vella. Rich in history, it is an independent state. The Andorran government and the competent institutions have put in place various measures to attract investors. This is done by means of conventions and laws. Its official language is Catalan. But other languages are also spoken such as French, Portuguese and Spanish. Therefore, translations will not be complicated. Moreover, the Principality has several educational systems.
The Principality offers a tax advantage compared to France and other European countries, activities such as skiing, and a strategic geographical and political location. There are many reasons to make a detour to the Principality. Whether for a trip or to invest and settle down, Andorra remains a beautiful destination in Europe.
The Principality of Andorra,
one of the oldest countries in the world
Andorra is a country in the Pyrenees that has a lot to tell us. It has a thousand years of history. Neolithic objects have been found, including pieces of pottery, rock carvings and necklaces. Populated since prehistoric times, tradition has it that its origin is attributed to Charlemagne. The ancient peoples were called “Andosins”.
The country’s independence was recognized in the Carolingian era. Andorra has long been isolated. For this reason, it has kept its original customs. In this context, we can talk about its system of administration. It divides the power between the French president, a Spanish bishop and its “Council of the Land”.
Although the country has been under the control of France and Spain for centuries, it has never been officially federated with either of them. It has its own flag and national anthem. That said, the history of the region is closely linked to that of Spain and France. But these two countries have never touched its independence.
Andorra is not a member of the European Union and has its own tax system. But, the country has signed a monetary agreement since July 1, 2013 with the European Commission. It is not part of the euro zone, but therefore uses the euro as its common currency. The country can even issue its own euro coins.
The Andorran governance system
Andorra is considered a parliamentary co-principality. The country has two heads of state in terms of its political system, including the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron and the Bishop of La Seu d’Urgell. The Principality is one of the sovereign states in Europe where these two “Co-Princes” are its highest representatives. As for the Andorran institutions, it has the General Council and the Government. The former holds the legislative power while the latter has the executive power.
The parishes of Andorra
Seven administrative divisions structure the Andorran territory. They are called the parishes of the Principality. They are the equivalent of municipalities, towns or villages. In Catalan, they are called parròquies d’Andorra (parròquia in the singular). These are:
- Andorra la Vella,
- Escaldes-Engordany,
- Sant Julià de Lòria,
- Canillo,
- La Massana,
- Encamp,
- and Ordino.
The zip code has only been used in Andorra since 2004. The postal service is provided by Correos since the years 1923 if the Post Office is in charge of it for France, and this since 1931. Each of these parishes has its own zip code.
Infrastructure and transport in Andorra
Concerning the means of transport, Andorra is a very convenient place to travel as its road infrastructure is very well structured. The signs are clear and easy to find. The Government has made important investments to provide Andorrans with a modern and quality road network. Even in the most isolated areas of the Principality, there are paved roads. The bypasses and tunnels save a lot of time.
Culture and leisure
This landlocked country in the European Union is a European country with an area of 468 km². Expatriation documents are in Catalan, although it is possible to use other languages such as French. Above all, it offers an exceptional cultural setting and leisure activities suitable for both children and adults.
Different activities to do in summer and winter
Skiing is one of the most popular activities in the Principality. Many other activities can be enjoyed in winter, such as snowmobiling, snowtrike, snowmobile, dog sledding or snowshoeing.
There are also other activities to enjoy in the Principality:
- Rafting,
- Bike Park,
- Canyoning,
- 4×4 rides,
- Mountain bike and e-bike tours, etc.
Visit monuments, museums and architecture to immerse yourself in the Andorran culture
To dive into the heart of the Andorran tradition, the country contains museums and monuments to visit. The heritage of Andorra allows you to discover the whole Andorran culture. Examples of religious art, jewels of the Romanesque period, Andorra is much more than a land.
As for the school system, for anyone wishing to expatriate with their children, elementary school starts at 6 years old and kindergarten at 3 years old. The Principality’s government also offers a favorable employment environment. The average salary in Andorra is approximately 2,111.91 euros.
With a proven knowledge of the law, Andorran law, taxation and social charges applied to Andorran companies, its institutions and of course expatriation, we are the ideal partner to assist you. A personalized accompaniment allows you to take full advantage of your rights. We can assist you in filling in the documents in Catalan.
L’Andorre n’a plus aucun secret pour vous
Découvrez tout ce qu’il faut savoir sur la Principauté d’Andorre, son histoire, sa culture et son organisation !
History of the country
Located in the Pyrenees, Andorra is an increasingly popular Principality. Every year it attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. But did you know that Andorra's origins go back to the Carolingian era? This small European country existed long...
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