Your guide to being an expatriate in Andorra

Demographics of Andorra:

Religion Overview

According to a recent estimate, Andorra is 89% Roman Catholic and 11% irreligious. Religion is an essential part of Andorran culture, with Catholicism playing a significant role in the country's history and traditions.

Major Religions

Climate

Andorra's high mountain peaks mean that it experiences a continental climate characterized by cold winters and mild summers. The average temperature during the winter months is around 1°C, while summers can reach up to 21°C. Precipitation is relatively low, with most falling in the spring and autumn.

Economy Overview

Andorra's economy is primarily focused on tourism, which accounts for over 80% of the country's GDP. Road networks and cables cars provide access to some of the most spectacular natural sites in the Pyrenees. The country's hospitable climate and scenery have made it a hub for winter-sport enthusiasts and adventure tourism.

Key Industries

• Tourism
• Building and Construction
• Manufacturing

Major Companies

• Banca General de Andorra
• Catllar S.A.
• Frimenor, S.A.

Culture and Language Overview

Andorra's culture is a lively blend of Catalan, Spanish, French, and Portuguese influences. Festivities and events feature prominently in Andorran life, ranging from colorful carnivals, masked dances, and traditional music performances that combine songs and dances drawn from the clichés of the Mediterranean region.

Cultural Highlights

• La Festa del Carbó: The Carbon Festival celebrated in February features small performances and fireworks.
• La Festa Mayor: Andorra's most significant traditional festival held in Escaldes and La Massana during the first weekend of September that showcases traditional customs and dances.
• El Troccaire: A colorful masked dance whose origins go back to medieval times. Performers wear masks and colorful outfits that signify their status in medieval society.

Geography and Landmarks Overview

Andorra sits in the stunning Pyrenees mountain range, where Yetis (legendary ape-like creatures believed to inhabit the snowy habitat) have also been spotted. Despite its small size, Andorra offers vast areas of wilderness and green landscapes, which provide a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Notable Landmarks

• Nuria Valley: Home to Europe's highest altar church, forming a perfect cyclorama between snowy peaks and deep blue skies.
• Monestir de Sant Víctor de Cellera: Founded in 885, this monastery provides a glimpse into the country's rich religious heritage.
• Lake Engordany: This tranquil glacial lake, located inside the Nerea's Natural Reserve, is a perfect resting place for nature enthusiasts who want to enjoy its clear turquoise waters.

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Epiphany (January 6)
• Lady of Candlemas (February 2)
• Carnival Tuesday (February/March)
• Good Friday (March or April)
• Labor Day (May 1)
• Corpus Christi (June)
• Assumption (August 15)
• All Saints' Day (November 1)
• Saints Felix and Regulus (November 8)
• Immaculate Conception (December 8)
• Constitution Day (December 30)

Political Stability

Andorra is a parliamentary co-principality, made up of the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell (Spain). The country operates under a constitutional monarchy, with an elected parliament that enacts laws concerning culture, education, economics, and healthcare. The economy's stability, political freedom, and low taxation, coupled with its principles of liberty, equality, fraternity, and solidarity, reflect the country's reputation for political stability.