Andorra Eyes Summer Work Permit Expansion for Hospitality Amid Staff Shortages

The Andorran government has not ruled out expanding the summer work permit quota for the hospitality and restaurant sectors amid complaints of staff shortages, but it will first hold talks with business representatives to assess the "real" extent of the shortfall.

Speaking at a press conference following Wednesday's Council of Ministers meeting, government spokesperson Guillem Casal distinguished between the summer quota—initially set at 500 permits and increased by 30% to 650, now fully exhausted—and the general quota for other sectors. The latter, originally 800 permits expandable by 30%, saw an advance of 250 spots from the autumn allocation: 100 for general professions, which have been used up, and 150 reserved for first-need professions, where permits remain available.

Casal emphasised that businesses seeking more summer permits must justify their requests. The government plans meetings in the coming days with key stakeholders, including the Andorran Business Confederation (CEA), Andorran Hoteliers' Union (UHA), Authentic Hotels, and the Chamber of Commerce. They will need to detail worker shortages compared to last year, whether due to exceptional circumstances or unforeseen issues, and the proportion of temporary staff in their workforce.

The minister acknowledged the government's "difficult dilemma": responding to business demands while addressing calls from some citizens for more sustainable growth. He noted that last year's identical summer quota—500 expandable to 650—did not generate the same level of complaints or tension.

Casal stressed that any decision must align with the executive's migration model, balancing economic competitiveness with limits on population growth to avoid strains on housing, healthcare waiting lists, and mobility. He added that the construction sector, not classified as a first-need profession, cannot access the remaining general quota spots.