Andorra Tables Bill for Stronger Disability Rights with Early Retirement and €100K Fines

Andorra's government has tabled a comprehensive bill to strengthen rights for people with disabilities, including early retirement provisions for premature ageing cases, fines up to €100,000 for serious discrimination, and free higher education at the University of Andorra.

Social Affairs Minister Trini Marín unveiled the draft legislation on Thursday afternoon, following consultations with disability groups, the National Council for People with Disabilities (Conadis), and a participatory process led by Andorra Research and Innovation. The measure revises the 2002 law, last amended in 2017, by replacing an assistance model with one centred on individual capacities, tailored supports, and rights across education, work, justice, and non-discrimination, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Key provisions allow workers with disabilities due to premature ageing to retire up to five years before the legal age, with full CASS-funded benefits. Specific conditions and linked illnesses will be detailed in regulations developed alongside the Social Security Fund (CASS). The bill also ensures urgent Conava assessments within 48 hours for detainees needing support, plus protocols to enhance justice access and prevent secondary victimisation for victims.

A new sanctions framework scales fines by offence gravity: €300-€5,000 for minor infractions, €5,000-€25,000 for serious cases, and €25,000-€100,000 for very serious violations such as harassment. Previously, the ministry could only initiate protocols without financial penalties. Victims alleging discrimination now receive free specialised legal aid throughout proceedings.

Other advances include automatic 33% legal disability recognition for CASS group 2 invalidity pension recipients and COVASS level 3 dependency cases, avoiding Conava waitlists if preferred. The law prioritises nursery access, extends adaptation periods in apprenticeship contracts, and regulates therapeutic activities for those unable to work full-time. It further secures equal nursery entry for young children with disabilities and free university studies at the UdA.

Marín stressed the focus on capacities over deficits, noting fine levels—set after comparative studies with neighbouring countries—were lower than some federation requests, with only two complaints processed since 2023. "We are leaving behind an assistance model to advance toward one based on capacities and supports, placing people and their rights at the centre," she said. The bill enters parliamentary proceedings on June 29.