Andorra Nears EES Deal Preserving Random Border Checks

Ministers Imma Tor and Ester Molné assured lawmakers on Friday that Andorra's negotiations with the European Commission over the Entry/Exit System (EES) are nearly complete, preserving random border checks with Spain and France instead of systematic controls. Full EES implementation across the Schengen area is due by 10 April 2025, but Andorra expects to avoid queues or disruptions at its frontiers.

Tor, Secretary of State for European Affairs and Foreign Affairs, emphasised that the deal maintains current practices while introducing pre-residency security screenings via Schengen databases. These checks will flag two risk levels: alerts for overstays in the Schengen area and threats to public safety based on police records beyond criminal convictions. "Andorra will decide who enters," Tor stated, with final approval remaining a national prerogative.

To accommodate processing delays from these evaluations by Spain or France, Molné announced plans to amend the qualified immigration law for provisional work permits. These temporary authorisations would allow businesses to hire staff pending results, though details require European Commission approval and bilateral agreements. Seasonal work permits for winter have proceeded unaffected, with even less expected impact on summer ones.

The ministers also addressed "false border workers"—permit holders living and working primarily in La Seu d'Urgell rather than Andorra. Since July, immigration services conducted 1,452 checks, leading to 64 statements, 11 permit revocations, and 54 ongoing annulment cases. Molné linked these efforts to Andorra's population growth straining neighbouring Alt Urgell, while stressing good relations with La Seu town hall and Catalonia's Generalitat. Broader measures include tightened quotas returning to pre-pandemic levels, restrictions on detached workers to EU, G7, and EEA firms, and stricter self-employment rules.

Expulsions of unwanted non-EU nationals, including those previously holding Andorran permits but irregular in Schengen, will now require Andorra to handle repatriation via new bilateral pacts with neighbours. Andorran nationals and legal residents remain EES-exempt for EU travel, prompting an information campaign including diplomatic notes to avert airport issues.

Opposition figures like Concòrdia's Cerni Escalé criticised delays in talks, noting the EES regulation dates to 2017, while majority lawmakers welcomed enhanced security. As of 18 December, 4,445 authorisations had been issued, down from 4,656 in 2024.