ETIAS to Andorra
Not having any airport or seaport, Andorra is one of the few ETIAS Area countries that can be only accessed through land borders and, since its very location among the Pyrenees Mountain chain, it can only be entered after passing at least through either one of its neighboring countries of Spain or France.
ETIAS to Andorra Key Facts:
Principality of Andorra to be De Facto Member of the ETIAS Area starting from 2025
ETIAS will be necessary to access Andorra for short term visitors from 60 Visa Waiver Countries
ETIAS allows for a combined stay in the EU/Schengen Area not to exceed 90 days in 6 months and only for tourism, business, transit or medical care
ETIAS applicants’ passport must have 3 months of remaining validity since the days they plan to leave Europe’s border free travel Area
ETIAS and Andorra’s political uniqueness
Not having any airport or seaport Andorra is one of the few ETIAS Area countries that can be only accessed through land borders and, since its very location among the Pyrenees Mountain chain, it can only be entered after passing at least through either one of its neighboring countries of Spain or France.
One more peculiarity about Andorra is its unique political status. Situated in the very heart of Europe Andorra is indeed not a member of either the European Union or the Schengen Area. Nonetheless the trading synergy with many European Countries and the lack to any migration related issue led to a nonofficial condition where the border between Andorra and Spain/France are basically open and no control is enforced.EU resolutions on Andorra
In 2016, when the roadmap to ETIAS was traced by the European Union’s High Commission it seemed though that Andorra could end up being ruled out of the ETIAS Area itself, de facto imposing its citizens to be required the European Visa Waiver for their movements.
This preliminary decision was than overturned in 2018 when geographical and trading factors prevailed over political ones making Andorra a de-facto Member of the ETIAS Area and, most of all, excluding Andorra citizens from the obligation to have one for their journeys to neighboring countries.
Such resolution also involved non-EU citizens that are Principality of Andorra’s regular residents since their status in the Country will hence allow them to move freely across all the Schengen Area regardless of their nationality.ETIAS application
Since the territorial peculiarities listed above Andorra cannot be listed as first country of intended stay while filling out the ETIAS application form. Travelers should hence follow the applications instructions as listed in the first country of destination such as nearby Spain and France.
For further details about ETIAS terms of use and eligibility criteria please check the FAQ section of our website.