Andorra's General Council Approves Restrictive Citizenship Law Reforms

**Andorra's General Council approves citizenship law reforms despite opposition**

Andorra's General Council passed amendments to the qualified nationality law on Thursday, securing 19 votes in favour and 8 against, with no abstentions. The majority, including Demòcrates and Ciutadans Compromesos, joined Andorra Endavant in support, while the Social Democratic Party (PS) and Concòrdia voted against, criticising the changes as overly restrictive and a step back from the country's integrative tradition.

Justice and Interior Minister Ester Molné described the reforms as setting "reasonable requirements" to resolve detected inequities and strengthen legal, cultural and social ties. She emphasised anti-abuse provisions, especially for citizenship by marriage, and noted that all groups share a commitment to integration despite differences. Molné argued the updates substantially improve the system while preserving state identity, and accused PS and Concòrdia of opposing it for electoral reasons.

Among the key changes, the 20-year residency requirement can now include non-consecutive periods. "Someone who has reached 20 years is integrated, even if not consecutively," Molné stated. Schooling proof drops to 10 years in Andorra, without needing the full compulsory period. Disqualifying criminal convictions face reduced severity thresholds, and applicants under 70 must demonstrate A1-level Catalan.

Demòcrates councillor Jordi Jordana defended retaining the 20-year threshold amid Andorra's "accelerated demographic mobility," warning that shorter periods risked eroding national identity. He viewed nationality as a "combination of right and merit," not an automatic process, and stressed adapting international recommendations—like those from the Council of Europe or IMF—to local realities rather than following them blindly.

Andorra Endavant councillor Marc Monteagudo, whose party proposed even stricter measures such as tougher parentage rules and bloodline criteria, called citizenship a "privilege requiring effort and integrity." Though their amendments went further, including "national priority" concepts, he said the approved text improves on the current law and aligns with their defence of identity preservation.

PS leader Susanna Vela charged that an initial bill to fix "dysfunctions" morphed into a "Pandora's box" during debates. Her party sought a 10-year residency cut with five years of recent effective residence, plus conditional dual nationality through bilateral deals, in line with Council of Europe guidance. She warned of deepening divides excluding residents from political rights and rising nationalism, insisting nationality is a right, not a privilege.

Concòrdia councillor Jordi Casadevall argued the reforms shift toward formalism, ignoring residents' circumstances and unbalancing identity with integration. He specifically opposed Andorra Endavant amendments on parentage and blood ties, saying the path chosen strays from Andorra's inclusive spirit.

In a separate unanimous vote, the Council approved a civil registry bill to advance its digitalisation.

The approval highlights stark divides over integration models, residency thresholds and Andorra's identity in a mobile society.