Andorra’s New EU Agreement 2026: Non-EU Residents Could Travel Across Schengen Without a Separate Visa
Introduction
A new agreement between Andorra and the European Union could make travelling across Europe easier for thousands of international residents.
On 6 November 2026, the Andorran Government presented important details of its negotiated border-management agreement with the EU.
One of the most significant proposed changes concerns people who are not citizens of the European Union but legally live in Andorra.
Under the agreement, eligible residents holding a valid Andorran residence permit and passport could travel to the wider Schengen Area for short visits without applying for a separate Schengen visa.
This could be particularly important for residents whose nationalities normally require a Schengen visa, including Pakistani, Indian and other non-EU nationals.
However, there is an important detail: the agreement has not yet entered into force.
Here is what the proposed agreement means, who could benefit and what international residents should know.
1. What is Andorra’s new agreement with the EU?
Andorra has negotiated a special border-management agreement with the European Union.
The agreement aims to maintain smooth movement across Andorra’s borders with France and Spain while adapting to Europe’s new digital border systems.
This is particularly important following the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which records information about eligible non-EU travellers entering and leaving the Schengen Area.
Andorra is geographically surrounded by France and Spain but is not itself a member of the Schengen Area.
The new agreement is designed to address this unique situation.
It also introduces an important benefit for non-EU nationals who legally reside in Andorra: wider short-stay travel rights across the Schengen Area.
2. Can non-EU residents of Andorra travel across Schengen without a visa?
Under the proposed agreement, yes.
Non-EU nationals holding the required Andorran residence permit and a valid passport could make short visits to participating Schengen countries without obtaining a separate Schengen visa.
Currently, Andorran residence permits allow eligible non-EU residents to travel through France and Spain under the existing arrangements.
The proposed agreement would extend these travel facilities to the wider Schengen Area.
For example, an eligible Pakistani national legally residing in Andorra could potentially visit:
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Portugal
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Other participating Schengen countries
The proposed arrangement would generally follow the short-stay limit of 90 days within any 180-day period.
This is a significant development for international residents who otherwise need to apply for a Schengen visa when visiting countries outside their existing travel arrangements.
3. Who could benefit from the new arrangement?
The proposed travel arrangement is aimed at third-country nationals who legally hold residence permits issued by Andorra.
Potential beneficiaries include residents from countries such as:
- Pakistan
- India
- Bangladesh
- Nepal
- Morocco
- Philippines
- Other non-EU countries
However, nationality alone does not determine eligibility.
Applicants would need to hold the appropriate valid Andorran residence documentation and satisfy the conditions established under the agreement.
A tourist visiting Andorra would not automatically receive the same travel rights.
The arrangement is specifically connected to legal residence in the Principality.
4. Will Andorra residents be exempt from EES and ETIAS?
Another important part of the agreement concerns Europe’s digital border systems.
Under the proposed arrangements, eligible non-EU residents holding qualifying Andorran residence permits would be exempt from:
Entry/Exit System (EES)
They would not be required to register through the EES under the proposed special arrangement.
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
They would also be exempt from the ETIAS travel-authorisation requirement under the conditions of the agreement.
This is particularly relevant for residents whose nationalities would otherwise require a visa or, for visa-exempt nationalities, potentially an ETIAS authorisation.
The exemptions would apply once the agreement becomes applicable and the required residence-document arrangements are implemented.
5. Will Andorra become part of the Schengen Area?
No.
This is an important distinction.
The agreement does not make Andorra a full member of the Schengen Area.
Instead, it creates a specific legal arrangement governing border management and the movement of people.
Andorra would maintain its own immigration and residence-permit system.
The agreement would provide wider short-stay travel rights for eligible residents while strengthening cooperation with France, Spain and European authorities.
Therefore, having an Andorran residence permit would not mean that someone automatically receives permanent residence rights throughout Europe.
6. Will Andorra introduce new security checks for foreign residents?
Yes.
The proposed agreement also includes stronger security arrangements.
Before Andorra issues or renews certain residence permits for third-country nationals, France or Spain would carry out a security assessment.
This would involve checking relevant national, international and Schengen databases.
The purpose is to strengthen security while allowing eligible residents to benefit from wider travel facilities.
Existing residence-permit holders would also be covered by transitional arrangements.
Their permits would gradually be replaced with updated documents compatible with the European format.
The agreement provides for the replacement process to take place during the first two years of its application.
Residents should therefore follow official announcements before assuming their current cards automatically provide the new travel rights.
7. What about people visiting Andorra as tourists?
The agreement also introduces an important clarification for tourists.
Under the proposed arrangement, time spent in Andorra as a visitor would count towards the Schengen short-stay allowance of 90 days within a 180-day period.
This is particularly relevant for non-EU nationals who normally need a Schengen visa.
For example, someone visiting Andorra as a tourist would not be able to treat the country as a way to pause or reset their Schengen stay allowance.
The proposed system would align the calculation of short stays more closely with the Schengen framework.
8. Does this mean Pakistani residents in Andorra can visit Europe more easily?
Potentially, yes.
This is one of the most interesting aspects of the agreement for Pakistani readers.
Pakistani ordinary passport holders generally require a Schengen visa for short visits to most Schengen countries.
However, under the proposed Andorra arrangement, a Pakistani national who legally resides in Andorra and holds the required valid residence permit could benefit from visa-free short-stay travel across the Schengen Area.
For example, an eligible resident could potentially visit France, Germany, Italy or Portugal without applying separately for a Schengen visitor visa.
But this benefit is not available simply because someone holds a Pakistani passport or visits Andorra.
The person must qualify as a legal resident under the agreement and hold the required documents.
Important: Pakistani nationals living in Pakistan would not receive this benefit simply by applying for an Andorran tourist visa.
9. When will the agreement become effective?
The agreement is not yet in force.
Several procedural steps remain before the new travel arrangements can be fully implemented.
These include:
- Approval by the Council of the European Union.
- Formal signature of the agreement between Andorra and the EU.
- Ratification by Andorra through its domestic procedures.
- Completion of the relevant European institutional procedures.
- Finalisation of practical arrangements with France and Spain.
The agreement provides for provisional application after the necessary steps have been completed, pending its full entry into force.
As of 10 November 2026, there is no confirmed date when eligible residents can begin using the expanded travel rights.
Therefore, residents should continue following the travel rules currently applicable to their nationality and residence status.
10. Should international residents consider moving to Andorra?
Andorra may attract international residents who want to live in a smaller European country while maintaining access to nearby destinations.
The proposed agreement could make the country more attractive to certain non-EU residents because of the potential travel benefits.
However, people considering relocation should understand that Andorra has its own immigration requirements.
Obtaining residence may involve conditions relating to employment, investment, housing, insurance or other applicable requirements, depending on the residence category.
The new agreement does not create an automatic residence route for international applicants.
It also does not provide a general right to work or settle in France, Spain or another Schengen country.
Anyone considering moving to Andorra should examine the national residence requirements before making financial or relocation decisions.
Final Thoughts
Andorra’s negotiated agreement with the European Union could introduce an important change for international residents.
If implemented, eligible non-EU nationals holding valid Andorran residence permits would be able to make short visits across the Schengen Area without applying for separate Schengen visas.
The proposed arrangement could also exempt qualifying residents from EES registration and ETIAS authorisation.
For Pakistani residents in Andorra, this could be a particularly valuable development.
However, the agreement has not yet entered into force, and its benefits should not be treated as currently available.
The key point is that living legally in Andorra could eventually provide wider short-stay travel opportunities across Europe, but it will not automatically grant the right to work or settle in other European countries.
Would you consider living in Andorra if it allowed easier short-term travel across Europe? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Official Sources
- Government of Andorra — Andorra presents its EU Border Management Agreement
- Andorra EU — Official Border Management Agreement information and resident guidance
- European Commission — EU proposal concerning the Andorra Border Management Agreement
- Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Travel and entry information for Andorra
Disclaimer: This article is for general immigration and travel information. The Andorra–EU agreement has not yet entered into force as of 10 November 2026. Travel rights described here are proposed arrangements and remain subject to approval, ratification and implementation. Always verify current requirements with official authorities before travelling or applying for residence.
