Andorra to Launch Project-Specific Immigration Permits for Construction and Services

Andorra's government will introduce project-specific immigration authorizations tied to the duration of construction works or services, a move aimed at helping companies meet temporary labour needs in sectors like building and professional services. Head of Government Xavier Espot outlined the proposal while presenting the Chamber of Commerce's 2025 economic report, highlighting firms' difficulties in recruiting suitable profiles locally.

The Demòcrates parliamentary group intends to table the measure as an amendment to the immigration law now before parliament. Espot said it would let businesses apply for permits matching actual project lengths, avoiding the pitfalls of standard or temporary quotas that often run "too long or too short." He cited a scenario where a firm requires four bricklayers for 24 months and two engineers for just 12, allowing targeted recruitment without excess or shortfall.

Such flexibility addresses key challenges in maintaining project timelines, fostering business growth, and boosting sectoral competitiveness, Espot noted. The system would uphold rigorous employer responsibilities, comparable to current quota rules, while details on firm and worker requirements are still being finalized.

Espot framed the reform as a balance between economic demands and social priorities, including Andorra's capacity to host new residents. He reiterated broad agreement against annual population increases of 4-5%, which prompted earlier quota restrictions to curb growth. The approach would prioritize hiring from countries of origin for better forecasting of inflows, with potential extensions for those who integrate and secure ongoing roles.

On the initial implementation of origin-country recruitment, Espot acknowledged logistical hurdles tied to business obligations but voiced optimism following awareness campaigns. The government plans to share concrete data soon, after evaluating outcomes from summer through winter. No firm approval timeline exists, as it awaits parliamentary debate, though Espot expects swift progress.

An editorial in El Periòdic d'Andorra welcomed the tailored permits as a pragmatic response to labour shortages but urged precision in access conditions to prevent worker precariousness or undue ties to short-term needs. It emphasized that project temporality must not erode rights, while calling for equilibrium between competitiveness and strains on housing, services, and social cohesion.