Key Points
- Andorra proposes allowing all legal residency periods to count toward the 20-year naturalization requirement, regardless of the continuity of residence.
- The draft law expands eligibility based on education and filiation (ancestry).
- The bill is pending parliamentary review.
Overview
On May 24, 2025, the Andorran government introduced a bill to amend the Qualified Law on Nationality, aiming to expand access to citizenship for long-term residents. One of the most notable proposed changes is the removal of the requirement for continuous residency. Under the new framework, all legally documented periods of residence in Andorra—regardless of whether they were uninterrupted—would count toward the 20-year residency threshold required for naturalization.
The bill also introduces new pathways for naturalization eligibility. Applicants who complete 10 years of education in Andorra between the ages of three and 18 would be able to apply for nationality. Additionally, nationality by filiation would be broadened to include children born abroad to Andorran parents or under other qualifying conditions, making it easier for second-generation nationals to claim Andorran citizenship.
These changes, if implemented, would modernize Andorra’s nationality framework, aligning it more closely with the inclusive naturalization standards of other European microstates. The legislation is now under parliamentary consideration and, if passed, will significantly widen access to Andorran citizenship for a broader population of long-term residents and their children.
Looking Ahead
If approved by parliament, the new nationality law will simplify and expand access to Andorran citizenship. Employers and immigration professionals supporting long-term residents in Andorra should closely monitor developments, particularly in light of the potential implications for permanent residency and naturalization planning.
