Andorra's Economy Commission agrees to hike minimum passive residency investment to €1 million in local

Andorra's legislative Economy Commission has finalized agreements to increase the minimum investment for passive residency to €1 million in Andorran assets, a €200,000 rise from the government's initial draft of €800,000. Real estate investments counting toward this threshold must now be worth at least €800,000, up €200,000 from the current €600,000 limit.

These changes emerged from negotiations among parliamentary groups, including Concòrdia, Andorra Endavant, and the majority, during work on the continuity and consolidation law for sustainable growth, or omnibus law 2. The self-employed deposit with the Andorran Financial Authority (AFA) will also double to €50,000 from €30,000, with part remaining refundable despite opposition from some groups like the PS.

Stricter rules target irregular family reunification: detection will revoke the entire family unit's residency permits, requiring all members to leave Andorra. This follows a proposal from Andorra Endavant.

Temporary workers gain added flexibility, allowing movement between a hiring company's activity centers or group entities without changing sectors. Renewal periods for such permits, previously set at five months, will now be determined by government regulation. Authorizations for workers from foreign firms extend from six to 12 months, addressing construction sector requests.

Some opposition persists. Concòrdia and the Partit Socialdemòcrata view real estate allowances as insufficient to address housing pressures and prefer barring property investments entirely.

The commission aims to close the text today or Monday, approving the rapporteur's report after resolving five remaining technical articles. This would enable a full Consell General vote next Thursday, alongside the national budget, before the session period ends on January 31. Unresolved items include foreign real estate investment tax changes, obligations for Andorrans abroad under majority proposals, and potential student exemptions.