Andorra Launches Pilot for 450 Overseas Hospitality Workers

Andorra's pilot programme for direct overseas hiring in the hospitality sector opens for applications on 28 July, Secretary of State for Interior Joan León announced after the Council of Ministers meeting.

The initiative offers 450 temporary authorisations for non-EU and non-EEA nationals from any country. Permits run for nine months, from 1 December 2026 to 31 August 2027, and are non-extendable. Workers must return home at the end, with no family reunification permitted and no priority for repeat applicants in future rounds.

Employers must guarantee dignified accommodation and cover at least 50% of travel costs to and from Andorra. A digital platform, developed with Andorra Digital, allows businesses to submit worker details and job offers for remote security and identity checks. Workers travel only after initial administrative validation, with the contract subject to suspensive conditions.

Upon arrival, immigration officials conduct on-site verifications, including identity confirmation, medical reviews and document authentication. Non-compliance results in permit denial and immediate departure. León said responsibility for return travel depends on the violation—such as employer errors or worker document issues—but did not specify further. Immigration will apply standard checks to ensure accommodation standards, as with other temporary workers.

León outlined continuous monitoring during the pilot to identify issues. While declining to confirm specific interest levels, he noted collaboration with the sector. Applications run until 31 March.

The government is negotiating bilateral agreements, including with Colombia for candidate screening, experience verification and return enforcement, though no deal is finalised.

Separately, Economy, Presidency and Labour Minister Conxita Marsol reported that 80 of 250 additional summer permits have been issued, with no issues from the 10-per-employer limit. On PS complaints about cancelled family reunifications, León said the law allows permit revocation when requirements are unmet, and cases are being handled accordingly, without providing exact figures.