Andorra Tourism Faces Staffing Shortages Despite Extra Work Permits

Andorra's tourism sector continues to grapple with staffing shortages despite recent expansions to seasonal work permit quotas, as campsites report divided views on the underlying issues.

The Private Tourism Sector Council (CSPT) has long highlighted difficulties in hiring skilled European professionals, often relying instead on non-EU workers who must leave for five months between seasons due to rigid permit rules. CSPT spokesperson Esther Santuré recently told ATV that shortening this mandatory gap to three months would help businesses retain trained staff, with companies willing to assume responsibility even if not covering all interim months. The group has pressed the government for quota flexibility to improve talent retention and service standards, though responses remain limited.

Recent government action added 250 extra summer permits on Wednesday after the initial 650 filled within 22 days, a move welcomed by hoteliers. Jordi París, president of the Andorran Hoteliers' Union (UHA), said it allows full peak-season teams while capping allocations at 10 per firm to aid smaller operators. Interior Minister Ester Molné processed requests, and Economy Minister Conxita Marsol stated it addresses tourism needs amid near-zero unemployment. Workers must leave by November per updated labour rules, with quota details published in a special Friday edition of the Official Bulletin of the Principality (BOPA). París cautioned that suitable candidates remain hard to find, as some pursue other jobs.

Campsites offer a mixed perspective on the quota increase. At Càmping Valira in Andorra la Vella, staff said restaurant labour shortages persist not due to permit limits but a lack of willing workers. Càmping Casal in Canillo, a smaller site, reported no such issues, managing with existing personnel. Both noted steady foreign tourist inflows—mainly from northern Europe like the UK, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, including many retirees—though mid-July occupancy hovers at 60-65% on weekdays versus full weekends, with stronger numbers expected in August.