Andorra-Spain to Negotiate EES Border Exemption in 2026

Andorra and Spain will launch bilateral negotiations in early 2026 to implement a border management agreement exempting the principality from routine Entry/Exit System (EES) checks, Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed to his Andorran counterpart Imma Tor during their meeting in Madrid on Thursday.

The talks will establish tailored EU border procedures suited to Andorra's unique status and high cross-border traffic, preserving mobility for residents, commuters, and visitors as Europe tightens controls. Spain intends to roll out EES at the Andorra frontier from April 2026—the EU's final implementation deadline—following Andorran requests to delay from an earlier February target. Andorra's Interior Minister Ester Molné stated on Tuesday that coordination with Spain remains "very advanced," with a phased approach to prevent disruptions, particularly during the winter tourism peak. Immigration procedures will evolve, including an extra security step that may cause brief delays, prompting the government to consider provisional permits for businesses. Head of Government Xavier Espot stressed prioritizing local recruitment to navigate the changes.

The Madrid discussions also covered wider bilateral and multilateral matters. Tor expressed gratitude for Spain's steady backing of Andorra's EU association agreement, with Albares pledging to foster consensus on its legal structure. Both highlighted robust executive cooperation, including with Catalonia's government, and discussed Andorra's planned special economic zone in Organyà. Spain voiced support for the project, especially in combating depopulation, and committed to aiding its progress. They also addressed a proposed European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), with Andorra hoping to include France's Occitanie region; Albares promised fresh momentum for cross-border strategies to link these efforts.

Albares thanked Andorra for supporting the Ibero-American Summit, set for 4-5 November 2026 in Spain, and extended an invitation to join. The ministers welcomed the potential for Albares to visit Andorra next year to finalize several pending bilateral accords.

Tor's itinerary, coordinated through Andorra's Madrid embassy, included a gathering with the local Andorran community and a reception for ambassadors accredited to the principality.