Andorra Rejects 60 Passive Residency Applications Due to Quota Exhaustion, Tightens Rules

Police in Andorra have rejected around 60 applications for passive residency—covering non-lucrative stays, scientific, cultural or sports interests, international professionals, and private geriatric or medical care—due to exhaustion of the annual quota during processing. Applicants, some filing as early as October or November 2024, must leave within eight days of notification, prompting legal advisors to file appeals citing administrative delays and "brutal legal insecurity."

The quota, opened in March 2023 with 600 slots (490 non-lucrative, 50 scientific/cultural/sports, 30 international professionals, 30 geriatric/medical), was declared exhausted on 22 January 2025. Critics note later submissions received approval while earlier ones did not, despite chronological processing norms. Affected individuals, including elite athletes and retirees, report major disruptions: some sold overseas homes, rented locally, and enrolled children in schools, only to face expulsion after three to five months without updates.

In response, the government approved stricter quotas on Wednesday at Justice and Interior Minister Ester Molné's proposal, aiming for sustainable population growth. Spokesman Guillem Casal said at a press conference the overall quota drops 11.1% to 800 permits from October 2024's 900, with 150 advanced slots for essential sectors like management, high-skilled technical/scientific roles, health, education, and caregivers—deducted from the April quota.

Self-employed quotas halve to 200 from 391 in 2025: 150 for foreign investment (down nearly 60% from 350), 30 for liberal professionals, and 20 for doctors. Categories are fixed and non-transferable. New rules under the sustainable growth law require a €1 million minimum investment and €50,000 non-refundable deposit for passive residency holders (€12,000 per dependent), plus similar for self-employed except titled professions. Non-EU workers need six years' sector experience and Catalan A1/A2 levels on renewals.

Passive residency quota falls 6% to 200: 163 non-lucrative, 17 scientific/cultural/sports, 10 international professionals, 10 geriatric/medical.

Business groups criticized the cuts. CEA director Iago Andreu said previous quotas exhausted quickly, warning firms face worse staffing shortages after winter vacancies of 5-10%. Hoteliers Union director Albert Mora echoed concerns but urged dialogue.

In a parliamentary reply, Molné detailed 1,290 family reunifications processed in 2025: 1,125 approved (mostly Spaniards at 292, Colombians 115, French 98, Argentines 61, Peruvians 52, Portuguese 41), 55 denied (40 for economic shortfalls, others for expulsions, criminal records, non-residency, dependency issues, or missing documents), and 110 pending. Work-related reunifications saw 124 of 125 approvals. No transitional regime exists for regulatory changes, with revocations for irregularities under the Qualified Immigration Law.