Andorra la Vella Approves €60.5M 2026 Budget with 18% Services Boost

Andorra la Vella parish council approved its €60.5 million budget for 2026 during Thursday's Consell de Comú session, allocating €13.042 million—21% of the total and an 18% rise from 2025—to fund 152 projects under three priorities: people-centred services, urban quality of life and economic growth, and natural environment with sports facilities.

Consuls Sergi González and Olalla Losada had outlined the plans at Monday's press conference, describing them as "budgets with soul" drawn from resident feedback. They positioned the parish as the country's "engine," handling oversized services for its 25,000 residents plus workers, visitors and national events, including traffic management, administrative centres, schools and open childcare spots for non-residents.

Housing and elderly care lead allocations. The €920,000 Edifici del Cedre project in Santa Coloma will deliver 30 affordable units through government handover, alongside a new Casa Pairal and public square to address ageing demographics and equipment gaps. €750,000 goes to phased facade and interior work at Calones into 2027, minimising disruption, while a similar amount revives empty homes at Edifici Jaume I via the Reviu programme for swift availability. Espai Capital receives €500,000 for design of a square, parking, events area and upper-level Casa Pairal, with works potentially starting late 2026 or early 2027 after tender. €100,000 repurposes Borda del Tossal into Espai Arrels for heritage-linked cultural, educational and intergenerational uses.

Urban works include €1 million to finish Santa Coloma's separated sewer system; €500,000 for Ciutat de Valls reorganisation and Aigüeta-Europa passageway upgrades; €400,000 for Vall and Pui streets paving; €300,000 for Bonaventura Riberaygua utilities and sidewalks; and nearly €405,000 for public spaces by Edifici Node on Meritxell avenue and the former firefighters' barracks.

Environment and sports funding covers €700,000 for Obaga de Santa Coloma's forest track and firebreak to enhance woodland access; around €270,000 for the river promenade's second phase, a daily hub for locals and passersby; €450,000 for Centre Esportiu dels Serradells changing rooms; and €350,000 for Estadi Comunal's covered pavilion interior, extending 2025 efforts for year-round use. New additions: €85,000 for family-requested playgrounds and €35,000 to initiate climate shelters in municipal buildings against heatwaves and cold snaps.

The consuls argued Andorra la Vella deserves higher central transfers for its national-role services but have raised this only with the government, not other parishes. They support a cost study to quantify burdens and justify a "capital premium." Losada said firm data would strengthen demands, while González stressed its necessity for evidence. On urban planning, González reported survey results now mapped, aiming for draft plans by end-Q1 2026, owner consultations next, and public display by June to enable participatory neighbourhood revitalisation. He withheld specifics on areas like Parc Central pending input.