Andorra Expat Leaders Slam New Schengen-Linked Migration Rules Causing Family Expulsions
Peruvian and Argentine associations in Andorra decry expulsions and family separations from strict 90/180-day Schengen compliance, despite.
Key Points
- At least 24 families affected by expulsions since Oct 2025, splitting parents from regular-status children.
- Frequent border checks in La Seu d'Urgell lead to forced departures or multi-year re-entry bans.
- Non-EU workers fill essential low-appeal jobs amid high housing costs, not competing with locals.
- Leaders urge clear, full government rules to prevent confusion from partial EU-linked enforcement.
Leaders of Peruvian and Argentine expatriate associations in Andorra have voiced strong concerns about the impact of new migration rules tied to Schengen standards and the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), citing expulsions and family disruptions.
Since October 2025, Andorra has required non-EU workers to demonstrate regular status within the Schengen Area, including compliance with the 90-day stay limit in any 180-day period, despite not being a Schengen member. Lorenzo Castillo, president of Peruanos en Andorra (also known as the Associació de Peruans d’Andorra), reported to *El Periòdic* that enforcement has triggered widespread removals. Authorities either force departures or issue expulsion resolutions barring re-entry for several years, he explained. According to data from his group, at least 24 families have been affected in recent months, including cases where parents were irregular but children were not, leading to household splits.
Castillo highlighted frequent border checks for residents in La Seu d'Urgell, which often result in expulsions. He criticised social media portrayals of Andorra as an easy work destination, pointing to steep housing costs that many cannot afford. Non-EU workers fill essential roles in unpopular jobs, he argued, insisting they are not taking opportunities from locals.
Marcelo Ponce, president of Argentinos en Andorra, took a less confrontational approach, emphasising uncertainty from the partial rollout of EU-linked requirements. The government applies only some rules now, leaving fears of abrupt full enforcement, he told *El Periòdic*. This confuses newcomers expecting uniform standards across countries and poses risks for those leaving Andorra: failure to meet EU re-entry conditions could strand them here.
Ponce's group prioritises prevention over protest, calling for clear, comprehensive government rules rather than piecemeal changes. They advise fully documented arrivals to avoid hardship.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: