Andorra Admits Delays in Nearly 50 Regulations Needed for Laws Since 2019

The Andorran government has admitted delays in developing nearly 50 regulations required to implement laws approved since 2019, with more than 40 exceeding their original deadlines. In a response released on Wednesday, Head of Government Xavier Espot outlined the backlog to Social Democrat general councillor Susanna Vela, who chairs her party's parliamentary group and has repeatedly sought a ministry-by-ministry breakdown with timelines for processing, approval, and publication.

Around 30 regulations are targeted for approval this year, a dozen for 2027, and several others lack dates as they will be replaced by new laws. One tally identifies 44 items from the 2019-2023 legislature. The Justice and Interior ministry tops the list with 13 pending rules, including noise level standards for public tranquility from a 2021 law, now due in the first quarter of 2027; asset seizure procedures and civil protection measures, both set for December 2026; and three linked to the 2022 qualified law on persons and family, originally required by February 2023 but overtaken by the forthcoming Civil Registry law, whose legislative process began this week in the Justice, Interior, and Institutional Affairs commission.

The Presidency, Economy, Work, and Housing ministry reports about 10 outstanding items. Esports commission rules, digital nomads, and real estate appraisals are deferred to 2027, while coliving and mountain station regulations are planned for this year. Near-term targets include corporate tax amendments, diplomatic career provisions—finalized but pending personnel commission review despite a March 2020 deadline—and criminal background checks for child protection offenses, aimed for April or the first half of 2026. Second-half priorities cover equipment to prevent secondary victimization, residential care, biomedical research registries, and continuing education.

Civil protection needs up to eight rules by end-2026, with delays in social affairs, housing, health, and environment also stretching to 2027. Some texts are in advanced drafting; others await new agencies or international alignment. Older cases include education system rules from a 2018 law, now handled by lower norms amid an ongoing review, and six child rights regulations from a February 2019 law—due by March 2020—with one slated for next month after linguistic review and the rest for late 2026 or 2027. A blockchain assets regulation is projected for late 2027.

Vela warned that the delays create legal uncertainty, as laws often delegate key procedures to regulations, leaving rights and duties unclear. She argued for parallel development of regulations during law drafting or more self-contained laws, citing child rights rules—where "children have grown up waiting"—and mountain station safety gaps since June 2023. She called such issues vital enough to warrant resources, noting the persons and family regulations will no longer proceed due to the Civil Registry overhaul.