Andorra Basics

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The Basics

Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round pin attachment plugs and Shuko plugs and receptacles with side grounding contacts are in use.

Money: The unit of currency is the Euro, divided into 100 cents. Currency can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change and to avoid additional charges it is best to have travellers cheques in Euros. Most major credit cards are accepted, including Eurocheque cards and ATMs are widely available in Andorra La Vella.

Currency Exchange Rates
€1.00 =	US$ 1.48	£ 0.90	C$ 1.58	A$ 1.63	R 11.45	€ 1.00	NZ$ 2.01

Note: These rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: The official language of Andorra is Catalan (used in administration and business). More than half the population speaks Spanish, and French and Portuguese are also spoken.

Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens need a passport, but no visa is required to enter Andorra.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British nationals need a passport, but no visa is required to enter Andorra.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians need a passport, but no visa is required to enter Andorra.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australians need a passport, but no visa is required to enter Andorra.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans need a passport, but no visa is required to enter Andorra.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals need a passport, but no visa is required to enter Andorra.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals need a passport, but no visa is required to enter Andorra.

Passport/Visa Note: Although there are no visa requirements for Andorra, travellers must have the relevant documentation for either France or Spain, depending on which country will be transited to reach Andorra, and should apply to the relevant embassy in their home country. Visitors must also hold onward tickets, all other documents required for next destination and sufficient funds.

Getting around: There are no airports in Andorra, but the nearest airport is Spain's El Prat Barcelona Airport (BCN), located 140 miles (225km) from the Principality. The roads in Andorra are in good condition and as it is a small country, it is relatively easy to negotiate by car. The principal road runs through Andorra from the Spanish to the French borders. Roads are, however, fairly windy and are subject to closure in winter. Buses and minibuses link the various towns and villages, and there are daily buses from Barcelona and Toulouse, France. Roads can get crowded and traffic is usually somewhat chaotic, especially during peak holiday season.

Travel Health: There are no health risks associated with travel to Andorra, but it is recommended that travellers are up to date with routine immunisations. Medical care in Andorra and neighbouring Spain and France is excellent, but can be expensive and medical insurance is advised.

Tipping: A 10% service charge is usually included on restaurant bills and anything extra is for exceptional service.

Safety Information: There are no risks associated with travel to Andorra, but travellers should always be vigilant and not display valuables.

Local Customs: Andorrans tend to be friendly and courteous. Smoking is common, although restrictions have been placed in neighbouring Spain.

Business: Catalan is the official language of Andorra, although Spanish is widely spoken. A small minority speak French and English is minimal. It is best to ascertain before meetings which language will be used. Punctuality is important, handshakes are the norm on greeting, and business attire should be smart and formal.

Communications: The international access code for Andorra is +376. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are not in use. Andorra is well covered by a GSM 900 network and most international mobile companies offer roaming agreements. Internet cafes are widely available.

Duty Free: Andorra is a duty free zone and therefore there are no restrictions. However, regulations of either France or Spain must be adhered to when leaving from either of those countries.