Andorra, the hidden gem of the Pyrenees, usually touted as a tourist paradise, turns out to be a great place to find work and spend a ski season or a lifetime.
And although some came “just for one winter,” many expats found the country a great place to live, thanks to low taxes, an excellent healthcare system and a high standard of living.
Known for its beautiful landscapes and multicultural society, Andorra has long held the now-debated title of “tax haven” while maintaining a peaceful lifestyle.
But although it is easy to love this country, finding a job in Andorra as a foreigner is not so easy. In this article we will give some tips and answers about finding a job as a foreigner.
Do your research before you come
Chances are, if you are reading this article, you have already visited Andorra and are thinking about spending more time in the country. But if you’ve never been or don’t have accurate information about the country’s legal system, you’ll be at a disadvantage in your job search.
The first question that arises when looking for work in Andorra is the number of work permits issued per year. Currently, as of April 2018, only 900 work permits will be issued to foreigners until October 31 . The winter season begins in November, during which a new job quota will be published.
However, there are some jobs that are excluded from this quota:
- accounting and financial services specialists,
- transport and production services,
- employees of libraries and post offices, as well as
- taxi drivers.
If you are planning to work in the hospitality or tourism industry, you will constantly be dealing with a public that is environmentally conscious and wants accurate information about the country, so it may be best to get information about the country in advance.
Requirements
Legal documents
If you want to enter into a contract with an Andorran company, you need to have all your legal documents up to date. Our active residence guide details what is needed to live permanently in Andorra, but much the same applies to work permits.
A work permit is issued to those who:
- contracts were concluded with a legal Andorran company
- have housing and a valid residence permit in Andorra (even temporary)
It is necessary to submit an application while permits are available according to the quota established for the period.
You will then need to sign and deliver several forms to the Immigration Department along with official information from your country of origin. To avoid disappointment when applying, it is better to prepare in advance. Take with you:
- Original and photocopy of a valid passport.
- Apostilled criminal record certificate (police certificate) from your country of origin, not older than 3 months.
- Document confirming residence
- Marriage certificate
- Resume
For more information on legal requirements, contact the official government immigration department . Please note that the site is written in Catalan, as are all legal documents in the country. Your employer will likely handle most of this process, but you will have to provide the certificates.
Languages
The official language of Andorra is Catalan, but the borders and relations with Spain and France are so close that most of the population speaks Spanish and French.
Please note that due to the large number of foreigners settling in the country, two other languages are spoken throughout Andorra: Portuguese and English.
If you are looking for work in Andorra, knowledge of Catalan is ideal as legal contracts are written in the official language, although you can get by without it. Being fluent in at least two other languages spoken throughout the country will give you a distinct advantage when applying for jobs and communicating with clients.
Andorran industry needs workers
Hospitality industry: work in hotels and bars in Andorra
In 2017, about 80% of the country’s employees worked in the service sector, with tourism and trade being the largest sectors.
Tourism is Andorra’s main source of income: 8 million people visited Andorra in 2016, and the number of visitors is expected to exceed 10 million in 2018.
Given this, we can expect that the majority of job offers for foreigners will be in this area. In a country of just 80,000 people that welcomes 10 million visitors a year, there are bound to be jobs in the service sector.
Having education and experience in hospitality, gastronomy and similar professions will help your resume stand out from the rest.
There are over 150 hotels in Andorra, and this number continues to grow every year, meaning that there is almost always a vacancy in this area.
Retail
Thanks to the success of Andorra’s booming tourism industry, there are over 1,500 retail stores in the country.
Just like in the hospitality industry, if you have retail experience, there is likely to be a job there.
But while you may be able to get by with an English-only hotel job in Arinsal, you’ll need at least 2, if not 3, languages to get a retail job in Andorra la Vella or Escaldes.
Seasonal and winter work in Andorra
During the winter season – from December to April – ski resorts are crowded with tourists, and the number of job offers triples. This could be a great season to look for work in Andorra, in the aforementioned bars, restaurants, hotels and ski resorts.
In winter, hundreds of vacancies open directly or indirectly related to this business: from ski school instructors to cleaners. Recruitment usually starts in November, so it may be wise to arrive early. If you are looking for a job here, this is the perfect time.
Large resorts such as Pal Arinsal and Grandvalira allow foreigners outside Andorra to apply for seasonal work. Visit their contact pages for more information on currently available positions.
There is a small caveat regarding seasonal jobs in Andorra; employment contract. Be sure to read the fine print on any seasonal work contract as some will state that your residence and work permit is only valid for 7 days after the end of the contract period, meaning you will have to rush out and look for another job immediately.
Working as an English teacher in Andorra
With such a large influx of tourists, Andorrans are constantly striving to learn new languages. Although Andorra’s school system is already multilingual, there is a demand for English teachers .
If you are a native English speaker with teaching experience, it is worth contacting schools and other institutions about available positions.
Keep in mind that applying for a teaching job in Andorra will likely require a TEFL qualification, and a degree in language or education will not hurt.
Are there any other vacancies?
Of course there are jobs in Andorra, but remember that in such a small tourism country, opportunities are limited. Professional work is always in demand, but competition will be tougher.
At the time of writing, there are several vacancies available in the areas of administration and finance. If you are fluent in English (and ideally several other languages) and have a passion for sales, real estate may also be a good option.
The ability to work online is always available for any country, so if you have a job in this field, Andorra could be a great option to call home, as the Internet connection is considered one of the best in Europe, with speeds of up to 300 Mbps.
Please note: even if you intend to be self-employed – or your profession works with international clients – you will still need legal permissions; follow the instructions on the official website of the Andorran Immigration Department or the active and passive residence guides we have published.
Where to find work in Andorra
Popular job search options include buscofeina , a website dedicated to posting jobs online. Please note that it is written in Catalan, as are most of the vacancies currently posted.
The official website of the government’s labor department also offers a list of available vacancies: https://www.treball.ad.
Other job posting sites:
- Seasonal workers : intended for seasonal work at ski resorts.
- Expat Community : This community offers a variety of jobs.
Another option for finding a job here is traditional: newspapers. A quick look at the classifieds section of your local newspaper will give you a list of available jobs.
The advantage of looking for a job before arriving in Andorra is that the HR departments of the company you work for will be of great assistance in obtaining a work permit and registering with the CASS social security and health system.
Summary
While Andorra’s many beauties and advantages make it an ideal destination for travelers looking for a place to stay, keep in mind that it is a small country and the government is focused on regulating foreign immigration and labor.
For this reason, work permits are limited, so if you are looking for a stable job, you may find it difficult to find one quickly. However, if you are qualified, confident in your skills and willing to go the extra mile to find a job, you are likely to find Andorra a great place to spend a season or the rest of your life.