The essentials for a liberal profession
This page clears up a common source of confusion: a regulated profession practised locally and an internationally-focused activity don't necessarily follow the same route, even when they share the same job title. A consultant working almost exclusively for foreign clients doesn't follow the same path as a doctor, architect, or lawyer wanting to practise mainly with an Andorran client base — the difference lies in residency status, professional authorisations, and, for regulated professions, recognition of qualifications.
Your situation in one minute
| Topic | Answer |
|---|---|
| Possible residency route | Active residency for self-employment with an Andorran client base, international focus if 85% is outside Andorra |
| Business structure | Sole practice or company, depending on the profession and its regulatory framework |
| Income to analyse | Fees, whether the activity is regulated or not |
| Main risk | Recognition of qualifications, government authorisation, registration with a professional body |
| ProGestió services | Active residency, international focus, SL, coworking |
Regulated or unregulated profession
Some professions — doctors, lawyers, architects, psychologists, among others — are regulated and require recognition of the qualification, government authorisation to practise, and often registration with the relevant professional body. Others — consultants, designers, IT experts, coaches — generally aren't, which makes access simpler but doesn't remove the need to check the conditions specific to each activity. This check needs to happen before starting the residency process, not after building a file that could turn out to be unsuitable.
Andorran or international client base: two different statuses
A professional wanting to practise mainly with an Andorran client base generally falls under residency and self-employment, with the associated conditions (shareholding, effective management if operating through a company, an AFA deposit where applicable). A professional whose services are mostly used by a foreign client base can consider international focus residency, subject to meeting the 85% rule and limiting their team to a maximum of one employee under this status.
Sole practice or a company, insurance, and business premises
The activity can be carried out as a sole practitioner or through an company, depending on the volume of activity and the level of asset protection sought. Professional liability insurance is generally essential, particularly for regulated professions subject to professional confidentiality and record-keeping obligations. The choice of premises — dedicated practice, coworking space, or registered agent — needs to match the nature of the activity and, for certain professions, confidentiality requirements.
A concrete example
A business strategy consultant working with clients in France, Spain, and Switzerland wants to relocate to Andorra. The analysis generally covers checking that the activity isn't regulated (so no qualification recognition is required), choosing between international focus residency or active residency depending on the actual proportion of Andorran clients expected long-term, structuring as a sole practitioner initially with a possible move to a company as the activity grows, and choosing a coworking space to have a credible professional address without a property investment.