Andorra is one of the smallest countries in Europe sandwiched between France and Spain. Its capital city, Andorra la Vella, which sits at 3,356 feet, holds the honour of being the highest capital city in Europe. This small country is particularly famous for its thermal springs, stunning mountains and valleys and ski resorts.
If you are considering moving to Andorra, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of the world.
Quick Andorra Facts:
- Population: 79,034 (2021 estimate)
- Official Language:The official language in Andorra is Catalan. Spanish and French are also spoken.
- GDP Per Capita:43,048 USD (2022)
- Ski Slopes: This tiny European country is a ski paradise and has over 290 kilometres ( around 18o miles) of ski slopes.
- Currency: Euro (€). As of early 2023, £1 = €1.13, $1 = €0.93, $1 CAD = €0.70, $1 AUD = €0.64
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Andorra
Here are some international container shipping rates to Andorra from other countries in Europe and around the world.
2. Andorra Housing Costs
Andorra has a wide variety of well-built housing available from houses and chalets to apartments. Compared with many other countries in Europe, housing in Andorra is very affordable.
Monthly Rental Prices in Andorra
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: €700.00 – €1,000.00
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: €550.00 – €800.00
- 3-bedroom apartment in City Centre: €1,200.00 – €2,800.00
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: €960.00 – €2,500.00
- Price per square metre to buy in City Centre €3,000.00 – €4,600.00
- Price per square metre to buy outside the city: €2,500.00 – €4,000.00
Source: NUMBEO
Andorra Housing Cost Comparison
Here are how rents in Andorra compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 17.6% more expensive
United States is 80.1% more expensive
Australia is 52.1% more expensive
Canada is 29.5% more expensive
France is 6.1% lower
Germany is 0.5% higher
Spain is 15.7% cheaper
Italy is 21.2% cheaper
Source: NUMBEO
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Living with a roommate or flatmate is a good option to save on housing costs. Have a look at these websites to find roommates or flatmates in Andorra – iRoommates and Erasmusu.
- Different areas – different prices. Andorra La Vella, Europe’s highest capital city, is a big tourist destination and ski resort. Rentals and property prices are quite high here compared with other parts of the country. Escaldes Engordany is another popular town with tourists and expats. Arinsal and Canillo are recommended for those people who’d rather not spend a lot on accommodation.
3. Andorra Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Andorra’s traditional food is influenced by its Spanish and French neighbours. The country has a good selection of restaurants which serve excellent quality food. For those who enjoy fine dining, Ibaya is the restaurant to visit. It’s a Michelin-starred restaurant which fuses food from La Rioja region of Spain with traditional Andorran food. Restaurant and grocery foods are reasonably priced compared with many countries around the world and the quality is excellent.
- Inexpensive restaurant: €10.00 – €20.00
- Domestic beer: €1.30 – €3.17
- Coke/Pepsi: €1.50 – €2.00
- 1L of milk: €0.70 – €1.10
- Loaf of bread: €0.90 – €1.28
- 12 Eggs: €1.50 – €2.40
- 1kg Chicken fillets: €7.65 – €10.00
- 1kg Beef: €7.51 – €18.00
- 1kg Apples: €1.00 – €2.75
- 1kg White rice: €1.00 – €2.80
Source: NUMBEO
Below is how food and restaurant prices compare with other major countries in the world.
- UK restaurants are 5% more expensive and groceries are 0.9% lower than in Andorra.
- United States restaurants are6% more expensive and groceries are 47.0% more expensive than in Andorra.
- Australian restaurants are 7% more expensive and groceries are 54.5% more expensive than in Andorra.
- Canadian restaurants are 3% cheaper and groceries are 34.2% more expensive than in Andorra.
- French restaurants are 3% more expensive and groceries are 34.9% more expensive than in Andorra.
- German restaurants are1% more expensive and groceries are 6.0% more expensive than in Andorra.
- Spanish restaurants are 7% cheaper and groceries are 15.0% cheaper than in Andorra.
- Italian restaurants are 3% higher and groceries are 7.6% higher than in Andorra.
Source: NUMBEO
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Andorra has a good selection of supermarkets, local grocers and markets. Have a look at these websites for information on supermarkets and farmers’ markets in Andorra – Caprabo, Carrefour Andorra 2000, Condis, and Leclerc.
- Find Cheap Eats: Keep an eye on your favourite restaurant’s website for specials or scour the local papers. Explore these websites for cheap eats in Andorra – TripAdvisor, Wanderlog, Andorra Tourism, For Andorra Lovers, and Planet of Hotels.
4. Andorra Alcohol Costs
Andorra has an excellent selection of alcohol from all over the world, all at reasonable prices. It even produces its own wines which is surprising given the altitude and climate. Being a tourist destination with a strong après ski culture ensures that everyone’s taste is catered for.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €2.00 – €3.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €1.30 – €3.17
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €0.59 – €1.00
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €0.59 – €2.00
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €4.20 – €8.00
Source: NUMBEO
How to drink for less in Andorra
- Ask around for suggestions on where to go for reasonably priced drinks. Check the internet, read local papers and look for posters and flyers that advertise specials.
- Many bars and restaurants have happy hours, offering drinks at half price or two-for-one. Have a look at the following sites for more tips on where to go to save money on a night out – All Andora, don’t Stop Living, TripAdvisor, and Kokono.
5. Andorra Transportation Fares
Andorra is sandwiched between France and Spain and has a great road network. Given the country’s topography, there’s no rail transport or airports. The nearest airport is Toulouse in France. Andorra has six private companies that run bus services which travel within the country and to other countries in Europe. These are efficiently run and affordable.
Below are some example ticket costs.
- One-way ticket (local transport)- €1.50 – €3.00
- Monthly Pass, (Regular Price) – €30.00 – €50.00
- Taxi start (normal tariff) – €2.00 – €2.65
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff) – €1.16 – €3.00
Source: NUMBEO
How to save money on public transport
- Bus passes are a way to save money – Holidays Andorra
- Renting a bicycle, motorbike or scooter is also an option
6. Cost of Internet in Andorra
Andorra offers excellent service when it comes to the internet. Andorran national telecommunications company, Andorra Telecom, is responsible for this.
- Thuraya IP – €2,20 /Mo with downloading speed of 444 kbit/s
- Internet connections over Thuraya XT– €1,39 EUR with downloading speed of 60 kbit/s.
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Andorra is a mountainous country which receives a fair amount of snow in winter. Winter temperatures range from -3C to 3C with January being the coldest month. Summer are very comfortable with temperatures ranging from 16C to 26C. The average rainfall is 1063 mm with October being the wettest month.
- Pair of Jeans (Levi’s 501 or similar): €65.00 – €100.00
- Summer Dress: €15.00 – €50.00
- Running Shoes (Trainers): €70.00 – €130.00
- Business Shoes: €59.99 – €175.00
- Gym membership: €25.00 – €75.00
- Movie (cinema) ticket: €6.00 – €9.00
- Short visit to the doctor (15 mins) – €67
- Deodorant: €3.60
- Toilet Rolls: €3.24
- Shampoo: €2.94
Source: NUMBEO and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Andorra
Unless you live in the EU, you will need an International Driving Permit translated into Catalan plus your own country’s licence in order to drive legally in Andorra. Buying a car is a relatively painless operation and both residents and non-residents are allowed to purchase and register cars in the country.
Below are some sample costs of owning and driving a car in Andorra:
- Volkswagen Golf:€18,000.00 – €19,000.00
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):€1.03 – €1.65
- Other fees (if any): The average cost of running a small four seater car in Andorra is around €350 per month which includes fuel, maintenance, car tax, insurance and depreciation.
Source: NUMBEO, International Driving Association
Ways to save money driving in Andorra
- Car sharing or pooling is one of the best options to save money. Try Carpoolworld.
- Taxis sometimes are cheaper options for short distance travel, especially if you need to pay for parking. Try Visit Andorra and RideAndy.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Andorra? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping.
9. Taxes in Andorra
Andorra is known to have one of the lowest tax rates in Europe. It has a personal tax of 1 – 10%, depending on your income and a corporate tax of 10%. VAT is set at a very low 4.5%.
Have a look at this site for detailed information regarding tax in Andorra.
10. Flight Costs from Andorra
As Andorra has no airport of its own, you will need to travel from other European airports. The most commonly used are Toulouse, Barcelona and Girona which are all around 200kms away from Andorra.
If you do make the move to Andorra, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of 2023:
- London: €15
- Paris: €25
- New York: €380
- Toronto: €394
- Rome: €32
- Sydney: €490
- Cape Town: €367
- Berlin: €29
Other Andorra Relocation Tips
The above costs and prices should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Andorra. However, perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Andorra Alone
Relocating to a foreign country is challenging for everyone but especially for someone who’s on their own. Andorra’s laid back holiday atmosphere will help you settle relatively quickly. Below are a few tips about settling in Andorra.
- Meetups:Look for the groups of like-minded people on Meetup to make friends with people who enjoy the same activities as you.
- Attend local events: Andorra has a lot of events to keep you entertained and to enable you to meet new people. Have a look at these sites for inspiration: Culture Trip, Visit Andorra, Andorra Insiders, and Inspirock.
12. Moving to Andorra with a Family
Moving with a family is exciting as well as challenging. If you are moving to Andorra with your family, consider the following.
- New parents (or parents-to-be):Join new parent groups to meet up with people who are experiencing the same issues as you – Mums Andorra.
- Live in a family-friendly area: Everywhere in the small country of Andorra is family friendly.
- Find things to do with the kids:Andorra has so much to entertain the kiddies, from snorkelling and hiking to visiting museums. Have a look at the following websites for suggestions – Visit Andorra, TripAdvisor, In Your Pocket, Little Guest, and Expedia.
13. Moving to Andorra for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it’s possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move
Tourism, hospitality, retail, and finance are the biggest employers of foreign employees.
Below are things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:Salaries in Andorra vary depending on the industry. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. Have a look at Glassdoor and Paylab to see what you can expect to earn.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Andorra, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: –LinkedIn, Expat, Indeed, and We-xpats.
- You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Andorra from Australia
There are a few Aussies working in the hospitality industry in Andorra. If you are moving from Australia to Andorra, consider the following:
- Size comparison:Australia is 16,470 times bigger than Andorra, and its population is 25,688,000 whereas the population of Andorra is a mere 79,034.
- Join expat groups:Connect with fellow Australians in Andorra through Meetup, InterNations, and Facebook.
15. Moving to Andorra from Canada
There are a few Canadians working in the hospitality industry and as ski instructors. If you are moving from Canada to Andorra, consider the following.
- Size:Canada is 21,243 times bigger than Andorra, and its population is 38,246,000 whereas the population of Andorra is only 79,034.
- Expat groups:Meet fellow Canadians in Andorra through Meetup, InterNations, and Facebook.
16. Moving to Andorra from the United Kingdom
There are a small group of Brits living and working in Andorra. If you are considering moving from the UK to Andorra, consider the following:
- Size: The UK is 518 times bigger than Andorra, and its population is 67,327,000 whereas the population of Andorra is only 79,034.
- Expat groups:Connect with fellow Brits in Andorra through Meetup, InterNations, and Facebook.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Andorra you can start by comparing moving quotes here.