Immigration Permits Fall 22% as South American Community Gains Ground in Andorra

New immigration authorisations in Andorra fell by 22.2% between February and April 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to data published by the Government's Statistics Department.

A total of 1,284 initial authorisations were approved during the three-month period. The decline was particularly pronounced among residence and work permits, which fell by 43.1% to 515 authorisations.

Other categories also recorded decreases. Authorisations for residence only fell by 12.4%, to 352 permits, while permits for frontier workers dropped by 11%, with 65 authorisations issued.

Temporary work permits surge

The trend was different for temporary authorisations. Temporary work permits increased by 72.8%, reaching 197 authorisations.

Temporary permits linked to foreign companies also rose by 9.4%, reaching 116.

By contrast, temporary authorisations related to research, studies, training placements and sports training fell by 9.4%, to a total of 29 permits.

Andorra approaches 60,000 active immigration permits

Despite the decline in new authorisations, the number of immigration permits currently in force continues to rise.

As of April 30, 2026, Andorra had 59,997 active immigration permits, 2.4% more than a year earlier. Of these, 55,566 were renewable authorisations, also up 2.2%.

Residence and work permits in force totalled 43,155, while residence-only permits stood at 10,345. Year-on-year, the two categories increased by 2% and 3.3%, respectively.

The country also had 1,966 permits for frontier workers, 61 more than a year earlier. Temporary work permits stood at 4,099, an increase of 4.8%.

The figures therefore show a contrasting situation: fewer new workers and residents are entering the system, while the total number of active permits continues to grow.

Spaniards account for 43.3% of active permits

Spaniards remain the largest nationality group among people holding immigration permits in Andorra.

Among the new authorisations approved between February and April, people of other nationalities accounted for 44% of the total, with 565 permits, while Spanish nationals received 544 authorisations, representing 42.4%.

French nationals accounted for 11.1% and Portuguese nationals for 2.5%.

Within the group of other nationalities, Colombians, with 108 authorisations, and Argentinians, with 101, were the largest groups, followed by Peruvians with 58 permits.

Looking at all active permits, Spaniards represent 43.3%, followed by other nationalities at 33.6%, Portuguese nationals at 15.3% and French nationals at 7.9%.

Among non-EU nationalities, Argentinians form the largest group, with 5,163 active permits, followed by Colombians with 2,270 and Peruvians with 1,170.

The professional profile of new workers is changing

The immigration data also reveal changes in the professional profile of newly authorised workers.

The strongest proportional increase was recorded among plant and machine operators and assemblers, with an 84.8% rise, equivalent to 28 additional authorisations.

Authorisations for managers of companies and public administrations also increased by 39.2%.

The largest declines, however, were recorded among technicians and associate professionals, with 108 fewer authorisations, a 43.2% drop, and among craft and related trades workers in industry, construction and mining, with 75 fewer permits, a 30.4% decline.

Among permits that remain active, technicians and associate professionals recorded the largest absolute increase, rising by 4.1%, or 242 additional permits.

Departures from the immigration register rise 27.9%

Between February and April, 284 people were removed from the immigration register, 27.9% more than during the same period the previous year.

More than half were Spanish nationals, who accounted for 55.6% of the total. They were followed by other nationalities at 25.4%, French nationals at 11.6% and Portuguese nationals at 7.4%.

Most departures —219— involved residence and work permits, while 52 concerned residence-only permits.

47% of residents have been registered for more than ten years

In terms of age, 62.5% of people with an active immigration permit are between 26 and 59 years old, the country's main working-age group.

The profile is different among residence-only permits. In this category, 45.7% are under 18, while 25.1% are aged 60 or over.

Statistics Department data also highlight the degree of long-term settlement among a significant part of Andorra's immigrant population. 47% of people with an active immigration permit have been registered with the Immigration Department for more than ten years.

Among residence-only permits, 24.8% have been registered for more than ten years, while 51.2% have been registered for five years or less.