The prospect of moving to Andorra is exciting for many. The principality has some of the most beautiful mountain views, a favorable climate, high quality of life, and low taxation policies.
But before you pack your bags and fly all the way here, it’s important to consider the cost of living. Andorra has an affordable standard of living for a Western European nation but there’s a lot more to know.
In this guide, we’ll cover all the living costs in the principality straight from the cost of groceries to real estate (rentals and acquisitions) and even entertainment, education, and more.
Cost of Living in Andorra — How Expensive Is It?
We often get asked the question, “Is it expensive to live in Andorra?” For a single person living in Andorra, it’s possible to live a comfortable lifestyle on an income of €2000-€3000 per month (excluding luxuries). This will cover:
- rent/mortgage payments
- car insurance
- weekly groceries, and
- recreation such as ski passes
Living costs in Andorra are approximately 20-40% cheaper than France and Spain, so much so that residents of these countries often visit Andorra to do their shopping.
Use the prices below as a guideline for living costs as you plan your future life in Andorra. While prices may vary, the costs below are the average you’ll find for day-to-day living in the principality. We believe that Andorra’s cost of living is favourable and the tax benefits reflect in the prices.
Grocery & Restaurant Costs in Andorra
We’ll start off with the most essential need — food. No matter which town or village you reside in Andorra, you’re going to find supermarkets and/or small stores. Andorra imports the majority of its produce because its mountainous terrain is not suitable for agriculture. However, prices remain lower than their Western European counterparts such as France, Germany, and the UK.
The most common supermarkets in Andorra are large European chains such as Carrefour. The following is a list of the average prices you’ll find in Andorran supermarkets (note that prices may vary):
- A large loaf of bread (500 grams): €1.50
- Rice bag (1 kilogram): €0.80-€1.50
- Eggs (carton of 12): €1.50-€3.60
- Andorran Cheese (1 kilogram): €13.50
- Beef/Red meat (1 kilogram): €20.50
- Chicken (1 kilogram): €7.00-€15.00
- Apples (1 kilogram): €1.80
- Bananas (1 kilogram): €1.50
- Tomatoes (1 kilogram): €1.80
- Potatoes (1 kilogram): €1.50
- Onions (1 kilogram): €1.60
- 1 lettuce: €1.25
- Marlboro Red Cigarettes (pack): €4.75
Beverage & Alcohol Prices in Andorra
Andorra’s alcohol per capita (APC) consumption lies at 13.9 liters given its flourishing tourism.
Beverages and alcohol in Andorra are relatively cheap and there are no restrictions on the amount one is allowed to purchase.
- Water bottle (1.5 litres): €1.00
- Coca Cola (2 litres): €2.00
- Milk (1 litre): €0.60-€1.00
- Wine (1.5 litres): €2.00-€7.00, depending on the quality
- Local Andorran beer (0.5 litres): €1.00
- Foreign imported beer (0.5 litres): €1.50-€2.00
Price of Alcohol in Restaurants & Bars
Given its status as an après ski destination, Andorra has a wide range of bars and restaurants to satiate every need. A lot of Andorra’s cuisine is influenced by its neighbouring countries of France and Spain.
The average bar and restaurant in Andorra are on par with neighboring Spain and France. It is possible to spend as little as €8 eating out at an Andorran restaurant for a single-course meal. If you’re looking for fancy restaurants, you can also pay hundreds of euros for a meal — the principality offers something for every budget.
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs between €8.00-€15 per person
- A meal for two people at an average restaurant would run between €27.00-€50.00
- A McDonald’s combo with a Coca Cola would run €8.00-€10.00 on average
- To enjoy a warm cappuccino at a coffee bar, expect to pay between €1.00-€3.00
Tobacco Costs in Andorra (Duty-Free)
Andorra is famous for tobacco shopping and many shoppers from France and Spain come to Andorra only to buy cigarettes. Cigarettes and cigars in Andorra are 100% tax-free, which cuts down on the price by a significant margin. An average pack of Marlboro in Andorra is only €3.80 while it’s more than €8 in France. There are also many other tobacco brands that are available for cheap.
Tourists are restricted to 300 cigarettes at a time for exports (to not be used for illicit trade).
The Andorran government does not impose restrictions on tobacco consumption because tobacco retail comprises a large part of its GDP.
Transportation
Andorra has a large bus network that reaches every town and village in the principality. It’s also possible to arrange taxis from every location in the country because even the most remote point is a 20-minute drive. The nearest airport is La Seu d’Urgell airport, only 7 km away from the principality. It has direct links to the UK, France, Spain, and Germany.
Since Andorra doesn’t have its own airport, residents use the airports in France and Spain. The nearest airport in France is Toulouse-Blagnac Airport at a distance of 165 km. In Spain, the nearest airport is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat at 215 km. There are direct shuttles to Andorra from both airports.
The bus network in Andorra is also connected to those cities and there are buses to Barcelona, Perpignan, and Toulouse multiple times a day. Andorra is only a 2-hour bus drive from the Mediterranean coast.
Inside the principality, there is a wide network of buses and several cable cars connecting towns like Encamp to the Solanelles sector of Grandvalira ski resort. There are 4 zones covered by the bus network, and residents can purchase a monthly pass for each. The zones and prices for the Andorran bus network are mentioned below.
Andorra Zone 1 Bus Network
- 1 Ticket: €1.90
- 10 Ride Ticket: €12.50
- Daily ticket (no limit): €4.00
- Weekly ticket (no limit): €24.00
- Monthly ticket (no limit): €70.00
Andorra Zone 2 Bus Network
- 1 ticket: €3.45
- Monthly ticket: €108.00
Andorra Zone 3 Bus Network
- 1 Ticket: €4.80
- Monthly ticket: €136.00
Andorra Zone 4 Bus Network
- 1 Ticket: €6.35
- Monthly ticket: €165.00
There are several tourist buses available that can take you through the most scenic roads in Andorra. Tours start at €12 for a single person and €18 for two people.
Shuttle Bus to Barcelona
The main transport service to Barcelona is the daily “Direct Bus” that offers direct transfers from Andorra La Vella to Barcelona Airport. The average one-way ticket to the airport is €30.
Taxi Fare Costs In Andorra
Taxis in Andorra can be found parked near the town centers and they are available on call.
- Taxi starting fare: €2.50
- Cost per 1 km: €1.15
To get from one end of Andorra la Vella to another, you can pay as little €5 for a full fare.
Real Estate Costs in Andorra: Buying and Renting
Andorra’s real estate prices are affordable compared to tax havens such as Monaco and Switzerland. There are many high-end properties in the principality, but it’s also possible to purchase an apartment for less than €150,000. The prices have remained stable with slight increases over the last decade.
To buy an apartment on the low end, you can expect to shell out at least €3,000 per square metre. We have apartments starting from €165,000. You can buy a small commercial property for your business (with parking) for €175,000. For high-end apartments, prices can reach €15,000 per square metre.
Chalets are more expensive and the minimal investment will be €500,000. For €1,350,000 you can get a chalet in a triple-A location in La Massana near the ski slopes. Capital gains tax on properties is 0-15% – properties that are held for over 15 years are not subject to capital gains taxes, even if they an’t the primary residence.
Renting
To get an address in Andorra, you must pay the equivalent of 4 months of rent in advance (this includes the deposit). There are special rules that apply and most apartments are only rented on 5-year terms.
The two payments are used as a deposit that will be returned once the rental contract expires, one payment goes to the realtor and one pays for the first month. To put it simply: If you have an €800/month apartment, you’ll need €2,400 to move in.
The rental contract will entitle you to an Andorran address. It has to be written in Catalan and notarized (we can provide assistance with paperwork). Once you have an address in Andorra, you can instantly apply for a residencia, assuming you meet the financial requirements.
The following are average monthly rental costs in Andorra:
- Studio apartment of 30m2 in the capital: €700 per month.
- 2-bedroom apartment in the capital (furnished): €800-1000 per month.
- 4-bedroom apartment in the capital: €1500-2000 per month.
- House or chalet in a village: €2000-10,000 per month.
Utility Costs
Utility costs are not usually included in the rental agreements and they can add an additional €100-150 to your monthly bills, depending on the maintenance required. If you live in a complex with a pool, you may have to pay more.
For a basic 2-bedroom, 70m2 (700 sq. ft.) apartment you can expect to pay an average of €100 for monthly utilities. This will include:
- Electricity
- Water
- Heating
- Garbage disposal
- Cleaning
If you don’t have your own internet network, you can get a cable contract for €40/month with unlimited data.
Phone services are cheap and Andorra has only one mobile service provider — Andorra Telecom. They offer sim cards for €30 and internet costs start from €9 for 1GB.
Automotive Ownership Taxes in Andorra
Andorra has a highly-developed public transit network that is reliable and on time. Taxis are also available (as mentioned above).
However, if you want to register your car in Andorra you can expect to spend around €2000-3000/year maintaining the vehicle.
The following are costs associated with car ownership:
- Car registration: €200.00
- License plates: €60.00
- Yearly taxes: €150.00-200.00
- Auto insurance package: €700.00-1500.00 per year (depending on the car)
- Liability insurance only: €300.00 year
- Gas (1 litre): €1.20
- Diesel (1 litre): €1.05
Childcare & Education
Public education in Andorra is world-class and available for free to all residents. Catalan is the primary language, yet as children progress through the system, regular classes are also taught in French. Separate, specialist English and Spanish classes are also taught.
Residents have access to nursery schools, middle schools, and secondary high schools. University is also free at the University of Andorra for local residents, while international students pay an average of €1,500 per semester.
You will also find English-speaking international schools in Andorra, namely the Agora International School of Andorra and the British College of Andorra.
The average tuition for Agora International School of Andorra starts from €7,450/year and will include two semesters. The parent has to pay €2,500 if their child is approved before starting class. The international schools provide discounts for siblings if you enroll more than one child. The discounts can be as high as 50%.
On the other hand, if you enroll your child in the British College of Andorra, expect the fees to be anywhere between €9,250 to €12,750, depending on their age.
For young children, Andorra has preschools with full service that cost on average €400/month.
Cost of Clothing
Andorra is well-known for its shopping sector thanks to its low VAT rates (4.5%) and absence of import taxes.
You’ll find many international brands present in Andorra’s markets. With regards to clothing, the following are average prices you can expect at local stores and outlets like Zara:
- Pair of jeans (Levis): €60-85.00
- Summer dresses for girls: €20.00-60.00
- Nike running shoes: €60-100.00
- Men’s leather shoes: €50-120.00
Recreation & Entertainment
Andorra is surrounded by mountainous scenery in every corner of the country. This means that you’re always in proximity to hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities. One minute you could be shopping in Andorra La Vella and another — dipping in one of the mountainous lakes located a 10-minute drive away.
To save money on skiing, your best bet is to purchase a ski pass. The largest ski center in the country is the Grandvalira ski station. It has over 210 km of slopes and 62 individual lifts, making it the largest in Southern Europe. The following are current access prices for the ski center:
- 1-day pass at the Grandvalira skiing station: €51.00 per day
- 7 day pass at the Grandvalira skiing station: €46.00 day
- Baby pass: Free
- Senior Gold pass (adults born before or in 1950): Free
- Bus transfer to a ski center (return): €4.80
Other entertainment/recreation costs in Andorra:
- Tennis court rental (1 hour): €13.00
- Cinema ticket: €7.00
- Gym membership (30 days): €32.00
Ready to Become a Resident of Andorra?
In addition to the stunning natural scenery, exceptional safety, and favourable tax system, the affordable cost of living really is the icing on the cake when it comes to considering to relocate to Andorra — but perhaps we’re a little bias.
When you’re ready to call this idyllic principality nestled among the mountains home, contact us. From finding your dream home to supporting you through the residency process, we’ve got you covered.
