Andorra Approves €40.1M Budget Shift for Housing Expansion and Hospital Upgrades

The Andorran Consell General has approved emergency legislation amending the fiscal "golden rule" to reallocate €40.1 million from the 2025 budget surplus of €88 million for public rental housing expansion and upgrades at Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell. The measure passed Thursday with 24 votes in favour from the governing majority, joined by Concòrdia and the PS on grounds of responsibility, while Andorra Endavant abstained.

Ministers Conxita Marsol (Presidency, Economy, Work and Housing), Ramon Lladós (Finance), and Helena Mas (Health) outlined the package at a Monday press conference. The €35 million for housing will fund a public tender in about two weeks prioritising multi-family buildings or hotels needing minimal reforms, aiming to add 150-200 units and reach 650 by the legislature's end—building on 470 current units and €108 million invested over three years. Allocations include €21.6 million for acquisitions, €6.4 million for land, €6 million for works, and €1 million for studies, with flexibility to reassign as needed. The focus includes properties for those at risk of residential exclusion due to personal, social, or psychosocial issues, potentially involving direct transfers from entities like the CASS's former Santa Coloma clinic or communes, enabled by changes to the pension reserve fund and administrative code.

The €5.15 million for the Servei Andorrà d'Atenció Sanitària (SAAS) supports an advanced MRI scanner (€2.4 million total, including €1.6-1.8 million for equipment and €600,000-€800,000 for adaptations) for 24/7 on-site imaging in urgent cases like liver, prostate, and kidney conditions; a €2 million robotic surgery system for precision procedures in urology, gynaecology, general surgery, prostatectomies, colorectal work, and gynaecological oncology; and €750,000 for helipad improvements to international standards, addressing leaks and wear beyond prior plans. Tenders target operations by late 2026 or early 2027, with staff training at sites like Sant Pau.

SAAS Director General Meritxell Cosan called it a "major step forward" after two decades of MRI discussions, advancing toward tertiary 2C standards despite demographic limits on fields like cardiac or neurosurgery. Mas emphasised service growth, efficiency gains, and specialist attraction; Lladós attributed the funds to fiscal discipline, lifting 2026 investments to €178 million while slowing but continuing debt repayment.

Opposition reactions varied. Andorra Endavant's Carine Montaner questioned the timing eight months before elections, dubbing it a "seduction operation" after 16 years in power, and raised concerns over building selections, prices, and valuations. PS's Susanna Vela prioritised social needs over politics but requested detailed purchase information. Concòrdia's Cerni Escalé backed it critically, noting past high costs, market speculation, and the loss of around 10,000 affordable units despite efforts to add 650-700. Governing figures like David Montaner defended prudent management enabling debt reduction alongside investments, with Mas citing prior upgrades such as CT and mammography scanners.

These steps respond to population growth, ageing, and related strains, complementing initiatives like hospital-at-home services, decentralised traumatology, and expanded operating theatres. Mas, the Bishop, and Co-Prince Josep-Lluís Serrano recently visited the €11.7 million Sant Lluís mental health centre in La Seu d'Urgell, due to open in early 2027 with 59 beds, 44 reserved for Andorrans, funded by the Bisbat d'Urgell.