Andorra's Private Care Homes Face Acute Staffing Crisis Amid Soaring Rents

Private residential care homes and hospitals in Andorra are grappling with intensifying staffing shortages for nurses, nursing assistants and other health professionals, as soaring rental prices increasingly block recruitment and retention.

While the updated SAAS collective agreement has boosted public sector appeal through greater stability, supplements, continuous training and career paths—prompting some experienced private staff to move—the housing crisis has emerged as the dominant obstacle. International candidates, essential to fill gaps unmet by the local market, often withdraw after assessing living costs. Many promising hires abandon plans when rents claim a large share of their salary, relocation proves unfeasible for families, or suitable apartments prove scarce.

Teresa Milà, director of Sant Vicenç d’Enclar, highlighted housing expenses as a key deterrent, with overseas interviewees initially enthusiastic but backing out upon reviewing local prices and availability. This affects professionals with families most acutely, who require larger spaces rather than shared rooms. Existing staff face similar pressures: long-serving employees weigh departure when landlords sell properties, reclaim units or impose sharp rent hikes, leaving few affordable options.

Andrea Saiz, director of Salita DomusVi, noted a shift toward cross-border commuters to sidestep housing issues; her centre now employs five, up from one previously. Centres also pursue non-EU nationals or family reunification cases, but face setbacks from immigration quotas or stringent requirements, such as six years of specialization—even for those with relevant prior training or experience.

Marc Corral, HR manager at Clara Rabassa with over 20 years in the sector, described chronic recruitment challenges, now compounded by rising qualification demands for nursing assistants and drawn-out study homologation for non-EU professionals, often lasting more than a year. These delays necessitate prolonged searches, team reshuffles and temporary cover in a field requiring steady shifts and fixed ratios.

Sector leaders warn that sustained trends could strain services amid population ageing and rising demand. The government acknowledges the issue and is expanding public and affordable housing to aid essential workers, particularly in health and social care. Centres report maintaining coverage for now, though pressures are building.