Andorra Holds First Meetings on EU Border Deal with Non-EU Resident Groups

The Andorran government has begun a series of meetings with stakeholders to outline the planned border management agreement and address concerns, starting with representatives from non-EU resident associations.

The initial session on Thursday involved leaders from Argentinos en Andorra, the Associació de Residents Peruans al Principat d’Andorra, and Colombianos en Andorra, with the latter joining remotely. Government attendees included Interior Minister Ester Molné, Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor, State Secretary for Justice and Interior Joan Antoni León, and State Secretary for Relations with the European Union Landry Riba.

Riba stated the main goal was to describe how the new agreement would operate and clarify any uncertainties. He noted that the associations would relay the details internally to gather further questions. Upcoming meetings next week will cover hospitality and restaurant sectors, travel agencies, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Confederació Empresarial Andorrana.

Concerns raised focused on practical distinctions between tourist and resident requirements for visitors from Argentina, Peru, or Colombia, as well as potential changes to residency application dossiers. Marcelo Ponce, president of Argentinos en Andorra, emphasised the need for clear, accessible communication to prevent issues arising from lack of preparation. He stressed that migrants must carry specific documentation meeting Schengen standards before travel, warning that incomplete paperwork could lead to denied entry or residency permits and additional complications.

Riba confirmed negotiations with France and Spain are progressing steadily without interruption, following the signing of the EU agreement. The neighbouring countries requested an overview of the EU framework first. Challenges include coordinating trilateral discussions and aligning bilateral accords with amendments to the qualified immigration law for simultaneous approval in a single session of the Consell General.

No fixed timeline exists, but Riba described it as a matter of months rather than weeks or a year, with efforts underway to synchronise implementation. Current border operations remain unchanged, and third-country residents travelling beyond France and Spain in the Schengen area must check applicable travel rules under the existing Entry/Exit System until new Schengen-format residency cards are issued.