Andorra to Launch Colombia Pilot for Recruiting 250 Non-EU Workers

The Andorran government plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with Colombia in the coming weeks to launch a pilot programme recruiting non-EU workers directly from the South American country.

Andorra's ambassador to Spain, Eva Descarrega, who is coordinating the diplomatic efforts, told the Andorran News Agency that the scheme starts with Colombia thanks to an existing agency there that streamlines such processes. She emphasised that the executive intends to keep the framework open to other interested nations, as Economy, Presidency, Labour and Housing Minister Conxita Marsol noted recently after an Economic and Social Council meeting.

The system will operate via collaboration protocols with partner states and a dedicated online management platform. For the Colombia pilot, Descarrega said roughly 250 people have registered interest—an indicative number to gauge initial demand.

Workers will take up nine-month contracts in Andorra before returning home, with options to repeat the cycle over several years and potentially apply for permanent residency depending on the programme's progress. Once in place, they cannot switch employers, sectors or contract terms, ensuring stays remain linked to the structured scheme rather than the open labour market.

Descarrega explained that the approach aims to organise labour migration flows, providing assurances for Andorran businesses facing shortages and non-EU workers, particularly from Latin America. Participants will know key details upfront, such as travel and accommodation arrangements, including airfares. "It's about giving security to all sides, for the Andorran employer needing staff to run their businesses and the non-EU citizen travelling from afar," she said.

No details have emerged on specific sectors or precise start dates beyond the imminent Colombia deal.