Learning Catalan for Andorra: A1 at your first renewal, A2 at the second, and who is still exempt until 2029
Catalan is the only official language of Andorra. Whoever lives there on a work permit shows the Govern's Catalan A1 diploma at the first renewal, and A2 at the second. Without that diploma the renewal is refused. For the self-employed, passive residents and nomads there is no requirement yet, but the Govern must set one before 30 May 2029. Whoever wants to become Andorran needs B1.
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Catalan is the only official language of Andorra. That is laid down in the language law of 2024, Llei 6/2024. In daily life you also hear a lot of Spanish and French, but at the government, the CASS and at school Catalan is the norm. For whoever lives in Andorra on a work permit, the language is also a condition: at the first renewal you show the Govern's Catalan A1 diploma, at the second the A2 diploma. Without that diploma your renewal is refused.
Who does the requirement apply to, and when?
| Route | Requirement | When |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | A1, then A2 | first renewal after 1 year, second after 3 years |
| Own business | no requirement yet | the Govern sets it before 30 May 2029 |
| Passive residence | no requirement yet | idem |
| Remote work | no requirement yet | idem |
| Becoming Andorran | B1 | at the application, under the age of 70 |
The language law added article 54 bis to the immigration law: the quota decree for employees sets A1 at the first and A2 at the second renewal. The decree of 7 October 2026 does so too. With your first application you submit a sworn statement with your training plan for Catalan; the Govern's renewal page then asks for "the proof of level A1".
Until 26 April 2026 attending the course was enough. That is over. Whoever could not attend the course for a valid reason must obtain A2 before the second renewal, otherwise a refusal follows.
For your own business, passive residence and remote work the requirement is not yet in the quota decrees of 2026. The language law gives the Govern until 30 May 2029 to set A1 and A2 at renewal there too. A new decree can do that earlier. So count on needing it.
What are A1 and A2?
A1 and A2 are the two lowest levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. With A1 you introduce yourself, ask the way and fill in a form. With A2 you hold a short conversation about your work, your family and your shopping, and you understand a letter from the comú, the municipality. The official diploma of the Govern d'Andorra counts as proof, or a certificate that the Govern recognises as equivalent. Ask the Servei d'Immigració when you submit which course fits your training plan.
What does more Catalan get you?
If you obtain B2 and a test on Andorran institutions, culture and history, you get a longer term at your renewal. Whoever wants to become Andorran needs B1, in addition to twenty years of living in Andorra, the last five of them without interruption. Andorra does not allow dual nationality: you then give up your Dutch nationality.
Where do you encounter Catalan?
- At Immigració. Official documents in a language other than French or Spanish can be translated into Catalan by a sworn or recognised translator at Immigració's request. So a Dutch birth certificate or police certificate too.
- At the comú and the CASS. Forms and letters are in Catalan.
- At school. At the French and Spanish schools children from the age of four get the compulsory Formació Andorrana: Catalan, plus the history, geography and institutions of Andorra.
See also registration and numbers in Andorra for the documents you have translated.
How do you go about it from the Netherlands?
Start before you leave. A year sounds long, but in that year you also arrange your home, your work and the registrations. If you already speak Spanish or French, reading comes quickly; speaking and listening take practice. Look for a course with an exam at A1 and A2, and keep the certificate: at your renewal you present it to the Govern, which decides whether it recognises it as equivalent. What exactly you submit for your renewal is in working in Andorra.
In Vertrekklaar this is phase 2 of 5 of the journey, step 2.8: the same steps, but for your situation — in your order, tickable, and with the deadlines watched. See the whole journey to Andorra or go straight to step 2.8 in the open plan.
What this rests on
The facts in this article come from these official pages. Rules change. When in doubt, go by the source, not this article.
- Llei 6/2024 of 25 April on the own and official language — article 54 bis and the transitional provisions — documents.bopa.ad
- Decret 388/2026 of 7 October, article 7 — A1 at the first renewal and A2 at the second — documents.bopa.ad
- Govern d'Andorra — residència i treball, the renewal with the proof of A1 — govern.ad
- Decret 447/2025 — the regulation of the Servei d'Immigració, with the translation (article 14) and the longer renewal with B2 (article 25) — documents.bopa.ad
- Llei 8/2026 of 7 May on nationality — twenty years and B1 Catalan — documents.bopa.ad
- Govern d'Andorra — the Formació Andorrana at the French and Spanish schools — govern.ad
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