Andorra Strikes EU Deal to Avoid Border Checks Under New Entry/Exit System

Andorra has secured an agreement with the European Union to preserve the current border management regime, avoiding systematic checks at its frontiers with Spain and France as the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) takes effect on April 10, 2026.

Head of Government Xavier Espot described the deal as "very satisfactory," noting it maintains random, non-systematic controls rather than the comprehensive vehicle inspections that would have caused significant economic harm. The accord, now initialled but awaiting formal signature, ratification, and operational negotiations with neighbours, will apply provisionally from April 10 to keep borders unchanged in the short term. Full implementation is expected within months.

Under the agreement, Andorran nationals and legal residents from third countries will travel freely within the Schengen Area for short stays—up to 90 days in any 180-day period—without EES registration, ETIAS pre-authorisation, or passport stamps. Tourist stays in Andorra by third-country nationals will count toward their Schengen limits, treating time in the Principality as if spent within the Area.

In exchange, Andorra introduces enhanced security measures. France or Spain will conduct pre-residency security checks on third-country applicants, with 28 days (extendable by 14) to review Schengen alerts for threats to public order, internal security, public health, or international relations. Favourable assessments grant Schengen-format residence permits allowing Area-wide travel; unfavourable ones lead to denial. Administrative alerts, such as overstays, may still permit residency but require resolution for full mobility. Existing permits face review, with rare revocations possible for confirmed threats.

Additional safeguards include bolstered police cooperation—cross-border surveillance, hot pursuits, joint operations—and clear readmission procedures for irregular migrants. Systematic controls could resume temporarily in severe security cases.

The government has warned Andorran citizens against erroneous EES registrations by unaware transport operators or border staff, which could trigger administrative issues like miscalculated stays. Affected individuals should contact competent authorities for annulment. A consular emergencies line (+376 324 292) supports nationals and residents.

Until full implementation, third-country residents must check entry rules for Schengen destinations beyond Spain and France. Meanwhile, the progressive EES rollout since October 2025 has caused delays, including biometric scans (fingerprints, facial images), with queues exceeding 90 minutes at some airports.

Espot linked the border deal to broader EU ties, predicting the stalled association agreement could advance "in a matter of weeks," pending EU Council unanimity despite reservations from some members like Spain.