In Andorra, social coexistence is organisationally fragmented. The Government (Govern) and the Ministry of the Interior work with the police force (Cos de Policia) on public order, the peaceful use of public spaces, and violence prevention. The seven municipalities (Comuns), the Catalan term for these local authorities, issue municipal rules for paths, squares, and facilities. Municipal traffic officers (Agents de circulació comunals) monitor, among other things, rules on respectful coexistence in public space (convivència ciutadana) and good-neighbourly conduct (bon veïnatge). The reviewed sources do not establish a single nationwide neighbourhood office or binding neighbourhood procedure. Residents’ associations (Associations de residents) and other associations form a civil-society channel alongside informal neighbourhoods. Procedures, costs, and deadlines may differ by municipality and must be checked there. Public spaces may be used with dignity and respect. Peaceful assemblies generally require no prior authorisation or notification. Demonstrations generally require notification between 8 and 45 working days in advance; in extraordinary cases, a period of at least 2 working days is generally sufficient. Found items must be handed to the police within no more than 72 hours. Quiet hours are from 22:00 to 08:00 on working days and from 22:00 to 09:00 on weekends and public holidays. Disturbing noise from music, shouting, fights, or pets is prohibited. Further rules on alcohol and drugs arise from the Public Security Act; sanctions and individual enforcement details may also be regulated locally. The Justice Administration’s mediation and advice office (Seu de la Justícia) offers voluntary professional mediation as well as legal and social advice. It may refer a case to the appropriate institution. Access is by appointment through the office at Baixada del Molí 2–4, Andorra la Vella, telephone +376 866 200. The advice is free when financial hardship or insolvency has been demonstrated; the reviewed sources do not establish other fees. The duration depends on the individual case. In owners’ associations (Comunitats de propietaris), statutes and internal rules (règim interior) may regulate the use of shared spaces and services and set rules for coexistence. These rules bind the owners. Mediation and the courts may be considered for rental disputes; broader housing-law questions belong to the housing area. Law 13/2019 protects people throughout the country against discrimination in public and private areas, regardless of nationality or residence status. It covers, among other things, birth, nationality, origin, sex, religion, language, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. The protection also covers social and civic participation, public spaces, and the information society. The citizens’ ombudsperson (Raonador del Ciutadà) can be used as a specific complaint and protection channel. The Department of Equality Policies (Departament de Polítiques d’Igualtat) provides advice and support, particularly on LGTBIQ issues; this refers to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGTBIQ). In cases of gender-based or domestic violence, the gender-based and domestic violence service (SAVVG) can be reached free of charge and confidentially under 181, around the clock, 365 days a year. In emergencies, the police can be reached under 110. The welcome programme (Programa d’acollida) provides information on rights and duties, registration with the municipality, the Catalan language, social services, and cultural, sporting, and civic participation. It is also open to people with a pending residence procedure and provides advice by appointment. Catalan (Català) is the country’s own official language. Catalan takes precedence in administration and the courts; other languages may be used for communication. The language-pairing programme (Voluntariat per la llengua) brings adults together in informal language pairs. Participation involves at least one hour per week for at least ten weeks; participation and the programme’s public cultural activities are free of charge. This does not create a general language requirement for social coexistence, while migration-law requirements must be examined separately. The Department of Citizen Participation (Departament de Participació Ciutadana) creates opportunities for participation, supports consultations and referendums, and promotes cooperation between institutions and associations. In the Citizen Review Panel (Visura Ciutadana), ten adults are selected by lot for two years. The body regulates its own work and produces consultative reports and proposals that are not binding. The Table for Representation of Associative Diversity (Taula de Representació de la Diversitat Associativa) connects organised parts of civil society. The formal digital participation channel (VISC) provides access depending on the procedure; details and deadlines may vary. Anyone wishing to volunteer registers through voluntariat.ad. Associations apply there for support from volunteers through the responsible office. Voluntary work is unpaid. Volunteers are entitled to information, training, support, non-discriminatory treatment, a certificate, and insurance through the respective association; approved expenses may be reimbursed. Their duties include acting responsibly, confidentiality, compliance with internal rules, and respect and safety. Digital services are governed by the Personal Data Protection Law 29/2021 (Llei 29/2021) and Decrees 391/2022 and 45/2023. Among other rights, individuals have data-protection, access, and further rights. The Government is responsible for the services it operates. Processing the personal data of third parties by persons under 16 requires the consent of a parent or guardian. The terms of use for state online services prohibit violent, abusive, illegal, racist, xenophobic, or defamatory content, as well as unauthorised data use, identity misuse, and spam. The reviewed sources do not establish a nationwide digital neighbourhood forum; VISC, by contrast, is a formal digital participation space.
Living together in Andorra
Social coexistence in Andorra is shaped by state authorities, the seven municipalities, owners’ associations, associations, and informal neighbourhoods. Rules on public spaces, protection against discrimination, conflict resolution, volunteering, and digital participation are handled by different bodies. The responsible municipality, the specific rule, and the appropriate advice or protection channel therefore determine the relevant process.
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