View source for Andorra–European Union relations

{{Infobox Bilateral relations|Andorra–European Union|European Union|Andorra}}
A [[customs union]] is the principal area of robust formal agreement between the [[Principality of Andorra]] and the [[European Union]] (EU).
Andorra borders two EU member states: [[Andorra–France border|France]] and [[Andorra–Spain border|Spain]].
==Customs Union==
{{further|European Union Customs Union}}
The "Agreement between the [[European Economic Community]] and the Principality of Andorra" (signed 28 June 1990, entered into force 1 July 1991) establishes a customs union with [[most favoured nation]] status between the Principality and the EU. Andorra is treated as an EU state where trade in manufactured goods is concerned, but not for agricultural produce.<ref name="EEAS article">[http://eeas.europa.eu/andorra/index_en.htm Principality of Andorra], European External Action Service</ref>

Legally, there can be full customs checks on the EU side of the border{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}, as Andorra has low [[VAT]] and other indirect taxes, such as those for alcohol, tobacco and petrol, from which visitors might benefit.

==Euro==
{{Main|Andorra and the euro}}
Andorra has a monetary agreement with the EU allowing it to make the [[euro]] its official currency, and permitting it to issue [[euro coins]] as early as 1 July 2013.  They planned to issue their first coins on 1 January 2014.<ref name=design>{{cite web|url=http://www.andorra-euro.com/en/news1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822005234/http://www.andorra-euro.com/en/news1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-08-22 |title=The government announces a contest for the design of the Andorran euros |date=2013-03-19 |access-date=2013-03-26 |publisher=Andorra Mint }}</ref><ref name="amisdeleuro">{{cite web|url=http://www.amisdeleuro.org/news.php?news_id=603&lg=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004224909/http://www.amisdeleuro.org/news.php?news_id=603&lg=fr |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-10-04 |title=Nouvelles d'Andorre |date=2013-02-01 |access-date=2013-02-02 |language=fr }}</ref>  However, EU approval was delayed until December 2013,<ref name=Q1>{{cite web|url=http://www.diariandorra.ad/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=29709&Itemid=380|title=Govern fixarà límits per a l'adquisició dels euros andorrans|last=Poy|first=Ricard|date=2013-12-11|access-date=2013-12-19|publisher=[[Diari d'Andorra]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218173450/http://www.diariandorra.ad/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=29709&Itemid=380|archive-date=2013-12-18|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the first Andorran euro coins entered circulation in January 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diariandorra.ad/index.php?option=com_k2&id=38445&view=item&Itemid=380|title=Cues per comprar els euros andorrans dels col·leccionistes|date=2015-01-16|access-date=2015-01-16|newspaper=[[Diari d'Andorra]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208210833/http://www.diariandorra.ad/index.php?option=com_k2&id=38445&view=item&Itemid=380|archive-date=2015-02-08|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Other agreements==
Two other agreements were signed in 2003 and 2004. The first is a cooperation agreement covering the environment, communications, information, culture, transport, regional and cross-border co-operation and social issues.<ref name="EEAS article"/> However this has seen few operational results so far.<ref name="Emerson">Emerson, Michael (2007) [http://www.ceps.eu/ceps/download/1398 Andorra and the European Union] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401131221/http://www.ceps.eu/ceps/download/1398 |date=April 1, 2012 }}, (PDF) [[Centre for European Policy Studies]] (CEPS)</ref> There is also a taxation of savings agreement<ref name="EEAS article"/> which was signed following pressure from the EU on [[offshore financial centre]]s to conform to EU standards.<ref name="Emerson"/>

There is an agreement signed 2003 between France, Spain and Andorra on the movement and residence in Andorra of citizens of third States.<ref>[https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/eli/decret/2003/7/30/MAEJ0330055D/jo/texte Décret n° 2003-740 du 30 juillet 2003 portant publication de la convention entre la République française, le Royaume d'Espagne et la Principauté d'Andorre relative à la circulation et au séjour en Principauté d'Andorre des ressortissants des Etats tiers, signée à Bruxelles le 4 décembre 2000] (French)</ref> It says that the three countries shall coordinate their visa requirements (in reality that Andorra follows the Schengen visa requirements) and that Andorra must accept entry only of those who have right of entry of Spain or France{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}. Andorra is allowed to permit long stays for any person.

==Border controls==
Andorra is landlocked, has no airport or seaport, but has several heliports. Visitors to the country can gain access only by road or helicopter by passing through the [[Schengen Area]] members France or Spain. Andorra maintains no border controls with either country. Border control points exist and border controls may be carried out in the other direction, but these are more focused on customs control ([[Andorra]] has considerably lower taxes than its neighbours, [[Taxation in Andorra#Value added tax|with for example a standard VAT rate of just 4.5%]]) and de facto no systematic border checks are conducted.<ref name=EUBorder>{{cite web|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52024PC0108|title=Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION authorising the opening of negotiations on an agreement between the European Union and the Principality of Andorra on several aspects in the field of border management|date=2024-03-08|accessdate=2024-05-19|publisher=[[European Commission]]}}</ref>  Andorra does not have any visa requirements. Citizens of EU countries need either a [[National identity cards in the European Union|national identity card]] or [[Passports of the European Union|passport]] to enter Andorra, while anyone else requires a passport or equivalent. Schengen visas are accepted,<ref name="open">{{cite web |url= https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:52012SC0388 |title=Obstacles to access by Andorra, Monaco and San Marino to the EU's Internal Market and Cooperation in other Areas |year=2012 |access-date=30 March 2013}}</ref> but those travellers who need a visa to enter the Schengen Area need a multiple-entry visa to visit Andorra, because entering Andorra means leaving the Schengen Area,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://visitandorra.com/en/the-country/travelling-advice|title=Travelling advice|access-date=18 July 2013| publisher =Andorra Turisme SAU}}</ref> and re-entering France or Spain is considered a new entry into the Schengen Area. Andorran citizens do not receive a [[#Passport stamp|passport stamp]] when they enter and leave the Schengen Area.<ref>Article 11(e) of the Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/399) ([https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32016R0399 OJ L 77, 23 March 2016, pp. 1–52])</ref>

There are only two official land border crossing points: [[La Seu d'Urgell]] in Spain and [[Pas de la Casa]] at the border to France. In addition, helicopters are allowed to go to airports with border control located in other countries, but not to other places outside Andorra. Flights usually go to the airports of [[Barcelona–El Prat Airport|Barcelona]] or [[Toulouse–Blagnac Airport|Toulouse]].<ref>[http://www.hola-andorra.com/arinsal/english/heligb.html Helicopter flights in Andorra] and [http://www.heliand.com/index.php/serveis Serveis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102175319/http://www.hola-andorra.com/arinsal/english/heligb.html |date=2018-01-02 }}</ref>

Andorra has stayed outside the [[Schengen Agreement]].  Andorran ambassador to Spain Jaume Gaytán stated in 2015 that he hoped that the [[Association Agreement]] then under negotiations with the EU would include provisions to make the states associate members of the Schengen Agreement,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thediplomatinspain.com/en-un-par-de-anos-andorra-podra-formar-parte-del-espacio-schengen/|title=En un par de años Andorra podrá formar parte del Espacio Schengen|access-date=26 October 2015|first=Alberto|last=Rubio|date=26 October 2015 }}</ref> though the final text did not include such provisions.  However, on 30 May 2024 the [[Council of the European Union]] authorised the opening of negotiations for a separate agreement between the European Union and Andorra in order to create a legal basis for the absence of border controls between the country and the Schengen Area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401693|title=Council Decision (EU) 2024/1693 of 30 May 2024 authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Principality of Andorra on several aspects in the field of border management|date=2024-06-14|accessdate=2024-07-06|publisher=[[European Commission]]}}</ref>

==Future integration==
[[File:European Union future possible members 2.0.svg|thumb|Countries that could join the European Union
{{legend|#003399|Current members}}
{{legend|#46a43b|Candidate countries}}
{{legend|#ffd617|Applicant / potential candidate countries}}
{{legend|#F29527|Membership possible}}
{{legend|#da2131|Membership not possible}}]]
In November 2012, after the [[Council of the European Union]] had called for an evaluation of the [[Microstates and the European Union|EU's relations with the sovereign European microstates]] of [[Andorra]], [[Monaco]] and [[San Marino]], which they described as "fragmented",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/118458.pdf|title=Council conclusions on EU relations with EFTA countries|publisher=[[Council of the European Union]]|date=2012-12-14|access-date=2013-04-01}}</ref> the [[European Commission]] published a report outlining options for their further integration into the EU.<ref name=options>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2012:0680:REV1:EN:HTML|title=Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee of the Regions - EU Relations with the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco and the Republic of San Marino - Options for Closer Integration with the EU|year=2012}}</ref>  Unlike [[Liechtenstein]], which is a member of the [[European Economic Area]] (EEA) via the [[European Free Trade Association]] (EFTA) and the Schengen Agreement, relations with these three states are based on a collection of agreements covering specific issues.  The report examined four alternatives to the current situation: 1) a Sectoral Approach with separate agreements with each state covering an entire policy area, 2) a comprehensive, multilateral Framework [[Association Agreement]] (FAA) with the three states, 3) EEA membership, and 4) EU membership.  The Commission argued that the sectoral approach did not address the major issues and was still needlessly complicated, while EU membership was dismissed in the near future because "the EU institutions are currently not adapted to the accession of such small-sized countries."  The remaining options, EEA membership and an FAA with the states, were found to be viable and were recommended by the Commission.  In response, the Council requested that negotiations with the three microstates on further integration continue, and that a report be prepared by the end of 2013 detailing the implications of the two viable alternatives and recommendations on how to proceed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ue.eu.int/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/trans/134524.pdf |title=Council conclusions on EU relations with the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of San Marino and the Principality of Monaco |publisher=[[Council of the European Union]] |date=2012-12-20 |access-date=2013-04-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517000353/http://ue.eu.int/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/trans/134524.pdf |archive-date=2013-05-17 }}</ref>

As EEA membership is currently only open to EFTA or EU members, the consent of existing EFTA member states is required for the microstates to join the EEA without becoming members of the EU.  In 2011, [[Jonas Gahr Støre]], the then [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Norway)|Foreign Minister of Norway]] which is an EFTA member state, said that EFTA/EEA membership for the microstates was not the appropriate mechanism for their integration into the internal market due to their different requirements from large countries such as Norway, and suggested that a simplified association would be better suited for them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationen.no/2011/05/19/politikk/eos/eos-avtalen/eu/eeas/6642688/|title=Norge sier nei til nye mikrostater i EØS|date=2011-05-19|access-date=2013-04-06|archive-date=2013-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512162204/http://www.nationen.no/2011/05/19/politikk/eos/eos-avtalen/eu/eeas/6642688/|url-status=dead}}</ref>  [[Espen Barth Eide]], Støre's successor, responded to the Commission's report in late 2012 by questioning whether the microstates have sufficient administrative capabilities to meet the obligations of EEA membership.  However, he stated that Norway was open to the possibility of EFTA membership for the microstates if they decide to submit an application, and that the country had not made a final decision on the matter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/aktuelt/taler_artikler/eide_taler/2013/eosutvalget_130128.html?id=712742|title=Innlegg på møte i Stortingets europautvalg|date=2013-01-28|access-date=2013-04-01|publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.klassekampen.no/61007/article/item/null |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413223348/http://www.klassekampen.no/61007/article/item/null |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-13 |title=Eide: Bedre blir det ikke |date=2012-12-21 |access-date=2013-04-01 }}</ref><ref name=NORLIE>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationen.no/2012/12/08/politikk/eos-avtalen/eos/san_marino/eu/7845048/|title=Regjeringa open for diskutere EØS-medlemskap for mikrostatar|language=no|last=Aalberg Undheim|first=Eva|date=2012-12-08|access-date=2013-04-06|archive-date=2013-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512185244/http://www.nationen.no/2012/12/08/politikk/eos-avtalen/eos/san_marino/eu/7845048/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latribunasammarinese.net/edizioni/2013/01-gennaio/03-01-2013boiw.pdf |title=La Norvegia chiude le porte a San Marino |date=2013-01-03 |access-date=2013-04-06 |publisher=La Tribuna Sammarinese |page=7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307181930/http://www.latribunasammarinese.net/edizioni/2013/01-gennaio/03-01-2013boiw.pdf |archive-date=2014-03-07 }}</ref>  Pascal Schafhauser, the Counsellor of the Liechtenstein Mission to the EU, said that Liechtenstein, another EFTA member state, was willing to discuss EEA membership for the microstates provided their joining did not impede the functioning of the organization.  However, he suggested that the option direct membership in the EEA for the microstates, outside of both the EFTA and the EU, should be given consideration.<ref name=NORLIE/>

On 18 November 2013 the EU Commission published their report which concluded that "the participation of the small-sized countries in the EEA is not judged to be a viable option at present due to the political and institutional reasons", but that Association Agreements were a more feasible mechanism to integrate the microstates into the internal market, preferably via a single multilateral agreement with all three states (Andorra, Monaco & San Marino).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52013DC0793|title=EU Relations with the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco and the Republic of San Marino: Options for their participation in the Internal Market|date=2013-11-18|access-date=2024-01-28|publisher=[[European Commission]]}}</ref>  In December 2014 the [[Council of the European Union]] approved negotiations being launched on such an agreement,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/er/146317.pdf|title=Council adopts mandate to negotiate association agreement(s) with Andorra, Monaco and San Marino|date=2014-12-16|access-date=2014-12-22|publisher=[[Council of the European Union]]}}</ref> and they began in March 2015.<ref name=AANEG>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?ref=I100473|title=RECORDED HRVP Federica MOGHERINI host the ceremony on the occasion of the launching of the Association Agreement(s) negotiations with the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco and the Republic of San Marino|date=2015-03-18|access-date=2015-03-18|publisher=[[European Commission]]}}</ref>  Negotiations had been planned to be concluded by 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/news/latest-news/56632-foreign-minister-confirms-latvia-is-prepared-to-sign-a-double-taxation-avoidance-agreement-with-andorra|title=Foreign Minister confirms Latvia is prepared to sign a double taxation avoidance agreement with Andorra|date=2017-04-24|access-date=2017-05-11|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia}}</ref>

In December 2023, the European Commission announced the conclusion of negotiations on a new Association Agreement between the EU and Andorra and San Marino;<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 December 2023 |title=The Commission welcomes the end of the negotiations for an Association Agreement with Andorra and San Marino |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6522 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=European Commission}}</ref> negotiations with Monaco had been suspended in September 2023 due to disputes over financial regulation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brenton |first=Hannah |date=2023-09-15 |title=EU suspends trade talks with Monaco after financial watchdogs' warning |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-suspends-trade-talks-with-monaco-after-financial-watchdogs-warning/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref>  The Commission formally put forward a proposal to the [[Council of the European Union]] in April 2024 to adopt decisions approving that the agreement be signed and concluded.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_24_2286|title=Commission proposes Association Agreement with Andorra and San Marino to the Council|date=2024-04-26|accessdate=2024-05-19|publisher=[[European Commission]]}}</ref>

===Membership===
Deepening Andorra's relationship with the EU generally requires compliance with the [[European Single Market#Four Freedoms|EU's four freedoms]] (only goods is achieved) together with fiscal and financial sector reforms to EU standards (removing its tax haven reputation).<ref name="Emerson"/> The government has said that "for the time being" there is no need to join the EU.<ref>[http://www.internationalspecialreports.com/archives/99/andorra/2.html Finding Andorra's place in the world] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20020701101726/http://www.internationalspecialreports.com/archives/99/andorra/2.html |date=2002-07-01 }} internationalspecialreports.com</ref>  Minister of Foreign Affairs [[Gilbert Saboya Sunyé]] said in 2016 that the country did not wish to become an EU member state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diplomatmagazine.nl/2016/03/17/26908/|title=Andorran Foreign Minister holds conferences in Belgium|date=2016-03-17|access-date=2016-03-22|archive-date=2016-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403202248/http://www.diplomatmagazine.nl/2016/03/17/26908/|url-status=dead}}</ref>  The opposition [[Social Democratic Party (Andorra)|Social Democratic Party]] is in favour.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Andorra|European Union}}
* [[Enlargement of the eurozone]]
* [[Microstates and the European Union]]
* [[Andorra–France relations]] 
* [[Andorra–Spain relations]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090201023303/http://www.andorra.be/ Andorran mission to the European Union]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130213081536/http://www.andorra-euro.com/ Andorra Mint]
* [http://eeas.europa.eu/andorra/index_en.htm EU relations with the Principality of Andorra], European External Action Service
* [http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_duties/rules_origin/customs_unions/article_412_en.htm Andorra : Customs Unions and preferential arrangements], [[European Commission]] [[Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (European Commission)|DG Taxation & Customs Union]]
* [http://ec.europa.eu/world/agreements/prepareCreateTreatiesWorkspace/treatiesGeneralData.do?step=0&redirect=true&treatyId=128 EU-Andorra Customs Agreement], European Commission Treaties Database
* [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_135/l_13520050528en00140018.pdf EU-Andorra Cooperation Agreement] (PDF), [[Official Journal of the European Union]]
* [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_359/l_35920041204en00330045.pdf EU-Andorra Taxation Agreement] (PDF), [[Official Journal of the European Union]]
* [http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/314&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Operational Programme "France-Spain-Andorra" 2007-2013], European Commission
* [http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/economic_and_monetary_affairs/institutional_and_economic_framework/l25040_en.htm Agreements on monetary relations (Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican and Andorra)], European Commission
* Emerson, Michael (2007) [https://web.archive.org/web/20120401131221/http://www.ceps.eu/ceps/download/1398 Andorra and the European Union], (PDF) [[Centre for European Policy Studies]] (CEPS)

{{Foreign relations of Andorra}}
{{Foreign relations of the European Union}}
{{Euro topics}}
{{Andorra topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Andorra-European Union relations}}
[[Category:Andorra–European Union relations| ]]
[[Category:Third-country relations of the European Union]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of Andorra|European Union]]