France Confirms Andorran Students Exempt from Non-EU University Fee Hikes

France's Ministry of Higher Education has confirmed that Andorran students will be exempt from steep university fee increases for non-EU nationals, maintaining their current status. The announcement follows initial uncertainty over a French government decree published on 20 April.

Bachelor's degree fees will rise from €178 to €2,895 annually starting in September, while master's programmes will increase from €254 to €3,941 for the 2026-2027 academic year. Officials estimate these rates will cover around 30% of the state's study costs. The changes form part of the "Choose France for Higher Education" plan, which prioritises international students in strategic fields like artificial intelligence, digital technology, quantum mechanics and biotechnology, reserving 60% of scholarships for such disciplines.

Ministry sources told Diari d'Andorra that Andorran students remain exempt from differentiated fees. French Ambassador to Andorra Nicolas Eybalin reinforced this position, stating Andorran students will continue paying the same rates as those from France, Germany, Belgium or Switzerland. He cited Article 5 of the 2000 trilateral treaty between Andorra, France and Spain, which ensures equal treatment in higher education. "Legally, there is a hierarchy of norms: an active international treaty takes precedence over an administrative decree," Eybalin said. He noted the embassy has sought official clarification from Paris and expects alignment with this interpretation.

Andorran government officials expressed cautious optimism. Presidency, Economy and Employment Minister Conxita Marsol said negotiations are progressing favourably, pointing to contacts with the French co-prince's representative. A meeting is scheduled for 11 June between Andorran Foreign Minister Imma Tor and French education officials to finalise details. The government invokes Article 4 of the trilateral agreement for equal treatment.

The decree includes transition rules: students currently exempt retain benefits until completing their programmes, and pre-decree exemptions for 2026-2027 remain valid. Top-performing non-EU students may access scholarships, and universities can exempt up to 10% of such students under cooperation agreements.

The fee hikes have sparked protests across French cities including Paris, Toulouse, Montpellier and Bordeaux, with students criticising the policy as discriminatory and likely to exclude lower-income applicants from non-EU countries.