Andorra Grants Citizenship to Baroness Thyssen's Surrogate Daughters After Court Rulings

The Andorran government has granted full nationality, including political rights, to both daughters of Baroness Carmen Thyssen—Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Cervera and Sabina Thyssen-Bornemisza Cervera—following court rulings that equated surrogacy with adoption under nationality law.

Carmen, born in the United States in 2006 via surrogacy, now holds her physical passport after recent visits to government offices for photographs and processing. A decree dated 17 June, published today in the Official Gazette (BOPA), formalised her citizenship. Sabina's nationality has also been approved administratively, though she expects to receive her passport within weeks.

The breakthrough stemmed from May rulings by Andorra's Superior Court of Justice. The civil chamber addressed Carmen's case, overturning the government's 30 March refusal, which had cited failures in residency, schooling, and filiation criteria. Officials had deemed surrogacy non-equivalent to adoption. The court ruled that surrogacy meets filiation requirements, noting the baroness's parentage—recognised in Andorra in 2017 based on a California judgment—qualified both daughters.

Sabina's process moved more slowly but aligned after Carmen's victory. Family lawyers presented the binding civil ruling to the Batlles Court, prompting an expedited decision equating surrogacy to adoption in her administrative case as well.

Both sisters, who lived primarily in Andorra until adulthood and attended Agora International School, now have five years to renounce their US nationality for full rights. Carmen studies law in Barcelona and spends less time in the Principat; Sabina remains more connected locally.

The baroness, currently prioritising her delicate health, has no immediate plans to reapply for citizenship after a prior denial over residency duration.