If you’re planning on travelling to Andorra from outside the EU (eg. coming from the UK) then you should be aware of upcoming changes to visa rules which could affect your travel plans, and require a little bit of planning before you set off. Andorra holds a fairly unique position, in that it sits outside the EU and also outside the Schengen Zone, but you need to pass through an EU country to arrive. This article will explain the changes, and anticipated timescales for needing to organise an ETIAS visa for Andorra holidays.
EU Entry-Exit System (EES)
The first major change should be happening in October 2025 (was originally November 2024), just in time for the ski season, with the introduction of the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES). This should help to speed up the arrival process at the airport, because it replaces the manual stamping of non-EU passports with an electronic system to record visits, which means visitors will be able to once again use the E-gates. However, one new feature is that non-EU citizens will need to register biometric details (a facial scan and fingerprints) the first time they enter.
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)
Closely linked to the EES, the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is due to be introduced “in the last quarter of 2026” (originally “early 2025”). It’s not actually a visa though, really it’s a visa waiver, although it works in the same way that you will need one to enter the EU if you don’t have an EU passport.
The ETIAS will be valid for three years before it needs renewing, and it will be electronically attached to your passport. As it’s attached to your passport, if you renew it before your visa waiver expires then you’ll need to apply for a new ETIAS too.
Just like now, you are allowed to stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen Zone, except with ETIAS it will be tracked electronically.
Here are a few FAQs you might be asking…
Do I need an ETIAS visa for Andorra?
Technically, no you don’t need one for Andorra, but if you’re travelling on a non-EU passport then you’ll need one to get into the EU – eg. flying into Toulouse or Barcelona. As Andorra has an open border with France and Spain, it probably won’t be checked at Andorra’s border, unless you want it to be, just like now.
How much will an ETIAS cost?
When the process launches, applying for an ETIAS should cost €7, which can be done by the official website. Be warned… there is at least one unofficial website, which looks like they will process the application for you but at a higher fee!
When will ETIAS start?
The EU website explains that the system should launch in towards the end of 2026, so you shouldn’t need an ETIAS visa for Andorra ski holidays until winter 2026-27. We’ll obviously keep you posted with further information as and when we hear.
