Andorra

Last updated: 03 September 2012

Current at: 24 May 2013

Summary

Travel Insurance

It is essential to acquire comprehensive travel insurance before travelling to Andorra. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which has now replaced the E111 form, does not provide health cover in Andorra. Andorra is not a Member of the European Union and therefore EU reciprocal medical arrangements do not apply. Failure to take out insurance can lead to considerable financial and logistical difficulties for you and/or your family should problems arise. For example, an air ambulance to repatriate you home following a serious accident can cost in the region of €20,000.

Your travel insurance policy should cover the entire period you are abroad until you arrive home. You may wish to consider an annual multi-trip insurance policy if you are making more than one trip abroad during the year as this will save time and money. Always check the conditions and exclusions of your policy; most policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.

Your policy should at the very minimum cover the following:

• medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad
• 24 hour emergency service and assistance
• personal liability cover ( in case you are sued for causing injury or damaging property)
• lost and stolen possessions cover
• cancellation and curtailment cover
• cover for activities that are often excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing) .
• travellers who intend to ski off-piste should ensure they have additional insurance for medical assistance, search and rescue.

Irish Citizens should note that the Irish Government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.

Most visits by Irish citizens to Andorra are trouble free.
The main type of incident for which consular assistance is sought by Irish citizens in Andorra is lost or stolen passports, and occasionally skiing accidents.
The Embassy of Ireland in Madrid is responsible for Andorra, and for information on what to do if your passport is lost or stolen there, please click here. You should in the first instance report the loss or theft of your passport to the nearest police station.
If you require emergency assistance while in Andorra, you should contact the Embassy immediately on: +34 914364093. If you phone outside normal working hours, you will be asked to leave a message on the answering machine. The answering machine is monitored regularly, and the Duty Officer at the Embassy will contact you as soon as possible. When you leave a message, remember to state your name, the nature of the problem, where you are now, and the details of how the Duty Officer can contact you (e.g. leave your mobile phone number, or the phone number of the hotel/hostel where you are staying).
Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter Andorra. There is no minimum passport validity requirement but your passport must be valid for the planned period of your stay.

Safety and Security

The Emergency Services can be contacted at the following telephone numbers:

118      Ambulance/Fire Brigade
110      Police
112      Mountain Rescue
116      Medical Emergency Service

Safety instructions issued by the authorities at ski resorts should be followed given the dangers of avalanches in some areas.

Further information can be found at the following websites:

http://www.avalanches.org
http://www.ski.andorra.com

Along with other European countries, there is potential for Andorra to experience international terrorism.

Most visits to Andorra are trouble-free. You are advised to take the usual precautions with your valuables and travel documents. It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.

Local Laws and Customs

When driving in Andorra, you drive on the right-hand side. Andorra has stricter drink-driving laws than most other European Union countries. Seat belts are required for front seat passengers. It is forbidden to use a mobile phone while driving, unless you have a hands-free unit.

It is illegal to consume alcohol in public in Andorra and it is penalised with a €300 fine.

Andorra is not a member of the European Union and purchases of duty free tobacco, liquor and luxury goods are subject to taxes and duties only on re-entering European Union countries.

Natural Disasters and Climate

Skiers should be alert to the risk of avalanches. Visitors to ski resorts should take advice on weather and avalanche conditions before they travel and throughout their visit (see: http://www.ski.andorra.com and http://www.avalanches.org .