Andorra Launches Pilot to Hire 450 Non-EU Hospitality Workers This Winter

**Andorra to launch pilot scheme for hiring 450 non-EU hospitality workers this winter**

The Andorran government will introduce a pilot programme for "hiring at source" this winter, targeting 450 positions in the hospitality sector to address longstanding staffing shortages. The initiative, presented on Monday at the Consell Econòmic i Social (CES), allows companies to recruit workers from any non-EU country with contracts lasting up to nine months, from December to August. These spots will be deducted from the overall winter temporary quota.

Economy, Employment and Housing Minister Conxita Marsol stated that the scheme emerged from months of discussions with economic agents and will provide greater certainty for both employers and workers. Recruits must demonstrate two years of prior experience and arrive with pre-approved documentation, including job offers, salaries and accommodation. Companies must cover 50% of round-trip travel costs and prove they can house the employees, who will earn at least the minimum wage of €1,525.33 monthly without daily allowances. Upon contract end, workers must leave Andorra and the Schengen area, though they may return after three such seasons to qualify for the general immigration quota.

The business community welcomed the measure as a complementary tool. Confederació Empresarial Andorrana (CEA) director Iago Andreu described it as "one more instrument" to streamline migration flows and link winter and summer seasons, enabling firms to rehire familiar workers from countries like Argentina or Chile. He noted it would not solve all labour market issues but could help with retention.

Unió Hotelera d'Andorra (UHA) president Jordi París expressed reservations, however, arguing the nine-month terms disadvantage small or seasonal hotels with limited finances and spring closures. Such establishments cannot sustain payroll during downtime, he said, and firms must still calculate full costs. París questioned whether all 450 places would fill and called for flexibility, like transferring unused spots to summer needs.

Unions voiced stronger concerns. Sindicat d’Ensenyament Públic (SEP) secretary general Sergi Esteves called it a partial fix offering slight stability but failing to tackle structural problems like job security or housing. Unió Sindical d’Andorra (USdA) treasurer Joan Torra opposed it outright, warning it could worsen the housing crisis, promote overcrowding and suppress wages by drawing vulnerable workers.

The government plans to approve regulations soon for the 2026-2027 winter season, with results to be reviewed afterwards. Separately, the CES approved a summer hospitality quota of 450 permits plus 50 for cross-border workers, matching last year, and an advance of 150 general quota spots for essential sectors like health and education.