Andorra Drops to 23rd in Europe for Trans Rights, Scores 43% in ILGA Report

Andorra has fallen to 23rd in Europe for transgender rights protections, achieving 43% fulfillment of standards, as outlined in ILGA-Europe's 2026 annual report on LGBTQ+ human rights in 2025. The ranking marks a slight decline from the previous year, positioning the country marginally above the European average of 41.8% but below the EU average of 51.1%.

Police records indicate two to three bias-motivated incidents against LGBTQ+ individuals each month, with Diversand highlighting cases during June Pride celebrations. The group has urged creation of a formal registry to categorize these as hate crimes, facilitating prevention measures and targeted penalties. Hate speech targeting trans people remains a key concern, sometimes amplified by public institutions, such as a conference by journalist Maricel Chavarria organized by Escaldes-Engordany commune despite protests from Diversand.

In October, a decree took effect regulating trans healthcare through the CASS public system. Individuals aged 16 and older can access hormone therapy via SAAS endocrinologists, while those 18 and above qualify for gender-affirming surgeries in Catalonia, though details of cooperation agreements remain undisclosed. Those under 16 receive consultations and monitoring but no medications. Implementation faces challenges: only three endocrinologists are available, one declining treatment due to insufficient training. Advocacy organizations call for broader professional development, which the Health Ministry has committed to pursue. The decree's publication delay until July prompted some trans people to self-administer hormones, creating health risks.

All companies are required to adopt protocols against sexual and gender-based harassment, though Diversand notes their focus on heterosexual dynamics neglects trans-specific vulnerabilities. The State Secretariat for Equality is reviewing potential updates.

The UN Universal Periodic Review flagged the lack of public laws safeguarding intersex bodily integrity, despite unpublished Health Ministry protocols for newborns. Housing shortages hit LGBTQ+ people harder, particularly trans individuals estranged from families.

Institutional efforts included a General Council lecture by Dr. Jordi Reviriego, who described gender as a social construct and questioned the medicalization of trans care relative to cisgender cosmetic surgeries. In May for IDAHOBIT, Gaylespol and Diversand delivered sensitivity training to police, firefighters, customs, and prison staff with government support.

Diversand and Stop Violències faced backlash from the Council of Ministers and media after their UN report called for abortion decriminalization and legalization as a safe, free, and confidential reproductive right within Andorra. Unverified accusations of fabrication and exaggeration sparked concerns about civil society freedoms.

ILGA-Europe urges bolstering anti-discrimination laws, criminalizing hate speech, and depathologizing trans identities by eliminating psychiatric requirements for healthcare and legal recognition. The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) similarly pushes to tackle online hate speech, align gender recognition with human rights standards, and introduce same-sex partnership recognition.