Work and Travel in Andorra

VOLUNTEER AND PAID WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN ANDORRA FOR TRAVELLERS

Andorra may not be a country you’ve heard of before. It’s one of the smallest countries in the world nestled between France and Spain in the Pyrenees. Primarily known for tax avoidance, skiing, and duty-free goods, it’s rarely high on any traveller’s itinerary.

So why not work somewhere nobody else ever does?

Andorra is set among pristine mountain landscapes and is within easy reach of Toulouse in France and Barcelona in Spain.

For your travel guide to Andorra, this is the right place.

1. Work on the Ski Resorts in Andorra

One of the things Andorra is known for is skiing. Thousands of people come here every day to hit the slopes. And if you want to work in Andorra you can for the season during the winter time.

Andorra typically has snow all the way up until the end of March, so it’s a long season. Due to its lax tax regulations, there’s a lot of competition for positions here.

Make sure you apply months in advance. As a general rule, you should have at least some skiing experience before attempting to find work in these resorts.

2. Find Aupair Work in Andorra

What do rich people need?

There’s little chance of finding conventional careers in Andorra. The majority of people work in either France or Spain, so if you intend on work and travel in Andorra it’s the ideal place to find au pair work.

Work as an au pair and you’ll be taking care of kids and managing them throughout the day. You’ll be able to live with a real Andorran family and you’ll get a look at a side of the principality that most visitors wouldn’t ordinarily get to see.

3. Teach English in Andorra

The official language of Andorra is Catalan. The majority of Andorrans also speak either French or Spanish, and sometimes both. English, on the other hand, is not as prominent.

Believe it or not, this principality does have a number of English teaching schools. Most of them are based in the tiny capital of Andorra la Vella, which translates to ‘The Old Woman’ in Catalan.

Be aware that job vacancies are limited, though, so the more qualifications you have the higher your chances of netting one of these coveted positions.

VOLUNTEER WORK VISA / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR ANDORRA

Andorra is not a part of the European Union (EU), but it has the same lax visa requirements for entry. In practice, it’s quite irrelevant what Andorra’s requirements are because you physically can’t enter the country without coming via Spain or France. The country doesn’t have its own airport.

The Andorran authorities have also realised this, so they allow practically anyone to enter without the need for a visa. You’re unlikely to encounter any real border control when you enter.

For Europeans and the British, you can enter Andorra without any prior visa for as long as you like. Americans, Canadians, Australians, Kiwis, Koreans, and the Japanese can enter for 90 days without a visa in any 180-day period.

Make sure you give yourself enough time to get through France or Spain after you leave, though!

Anyone who wants to work and travel in Andorra from Russia, South Africa, and China must apply for a Schengen Visa in advance.

SEASONAL BACKPACKER SKILLS NEEDED IN ANDORRA

SPRING WORK

Spring in Andorra marks the end of the bustling ski season. Due to that, it’s not an ideal time to attempt to work in Andorra. There are few opportunities to find work at this time of year.

It’s truly the low season. We don’t recommend attempting to find work in spring.

SUMMER JOBS

The summer time in Andorra is a good time to visit the country. This is when there are two types of work to look into: summer camp teaching and English teaching.

Andorran schools follow the same calendar as the rest of Europe. That means schools are already looking for English teachers in time for the new year. You should lodge your application during the summer to stand a better chance of securing a position.

You could also find volunteering opportunities in Andorra at a summer camp. Despite its small population, there are active summer camps throughout the country.

Your job is to just make sure they have a fun time and help with things like sports. If you’re good with children and fun to be around, this could be the perfect volunteering job in Andorra for you.

AUTUMN

Autumn in the country is much like spring. The only difference is that this is when the majority of English teaching postings begin.

Depending on whether you’re working in a school or as part of a private tutoring arrangement, you will begin your job at the start of the school year, which is nearly always around the start of September.

It’s also a good time to start applying for winter jobs at the ski resorts. Most resorts prefer to start hiring people before the season officially begins.

WINTER

Most resorts prefer to start hiring people before the season officially begins.
Winter is the prime season for work and travel in Andorra. Ski resorts like Arcalis and Pas de la Casa receive thousands of visitors every year.

There are a number of roles you could take on, including ski instructor, snowboarding instructor, front desk receptionist, waiter, or cleaner.

Bear in mind that ski resorts usually prefer people with experience. Unless you already know someone, it can be difficult to secure a position if you have yet to partake in this type of work.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN ANDORRA

Andorra is something of a mix of cultures and nations. It has strong Catalan, French, and Spanish connections. However, its status as a tax haven means that you’ll find a large number of high-wealth foreigners in the region. This is especially the case during the summer.

Like all Western European nations, the people are welcoming, and nothing is seen to be out of the ordinary when foreigners turn up to volunteer and work in Andorra.

Do you want to try something different this year with work and travel in Andorra?