There is no single national service in Andorra for all stages of life. Responsibilities are divided among the Government of Andorra (Govern d’Andorra), the Ministry of Social Affairs, Education and Labour, the seven local parish administrations (Comuns), schools, social security, health centres and the Civil Registry (Registre Civil). The primary social services operate publicly and free of charge in every parish (Parròquia); access is guaranteed. Specialised services may require a referral. Children are considered minors until their 18th birthday. Law 14/2019 establishes the rights and duties and the protection of children and adolescents. A birth in Andorra must be registered with the Civil Registry within 15 days; registration is free of charge and takes no more than 60 working days. For a birth abroad, registration first takes place in the country of birth. Transcription in Andorra is added if one parent is Andorran or has their main or permanent residence in Andorra. Early childhood education, known as maternal education (Educació maternal), usually covers the ages of 3 to 6. Compulsory schooling applies from 6 to 16, and the education system offers Andorran, Spanish and French as selectable language models. For the 2026/27 school year, pre-registration ran from 23 February to 27 March 2026. Young people have access to extracurricular and preventive support. The SSAC service is aimed at 12- to 18-year-olds. If there is a risk and ongoing support, the child and family service takes over further assistance. The SASAJ service currently supports or formerly supported young people aged 16 to 21 during the transition to independence. The SEPAJ service is aimed at particularly vulnerable 18- to 25-year-olds residing in Andorra; self-referral is possible. Full legal capacity begins at 18. Early emancipation is possible from the age of 16 with consent. The Employment Service (Servei d’Ocupació) provides individual advice and free training for Andorran jobseekers and jobseekers who are legally resident in Andorra. The first appointment should take place within no more than 48 working hours. Jobseekers must report changes to their information and attend agreed appointments. Self-employed people must join CASS social security (CASS) within three days of starting their activity. Marriage, divorce and other central family-law issues fall under the area of family. For transitions and social support, the national Family Support Service (Servei d’Acompanyament Familiar) provides assistance. After referral, it works with families already supported by the Ministry and with minors at low or medium risk. The service includes ten weekly sessions of two hours each. Childcare centres (Guarderia) and leisure centres (Esplai) are social services and usually involve a contribution towards the cost. In 2024, around 14,105 people in Andorra were over 65, representing about 16 percent of the population. Of these, 3,544 lived alone; 1,775 people were over 75. Life expectancy was 84.1 years. The Radars community programme (Radars) is intended mainly to protect people over 75 from loneliness and social isolation. It started in 2026 in Andorra la Vella and Sant Julià de Lòria and is intended to expand to other parishes. The basic requirements for a CASS old-age pension are generally an age of 65 and at least 180 months of contributions, including at least twelve months of contributions in Andorra. For the capital payment, the requirements at age 65 are five to 15 years of contributions depending on the case, as well as at least twelve months of contributions in Andorra. The insured person should apply for the old-age pension within three months. Anyone who continues working can defer the start of the pension. In the case of an invalidity pension and a disability assessment by CONAVA, the National Commission for the Assessment of Disability (CONAVA), of more than 33 percent, the transition to an old-age pension may already take place from age 60. Dependency requiring care is assessed on a social and health basis by COVASS, the social and health assessment service (COVASS). The assessment is guaranteed and free of charge. The home support service (SAD) assists with personal care, household tasks, activities of daily living, social support and advice for relatives. The application is submitted to the primary healthcare centre (CAP) of the relevant parish. SAD, teleassistance, day services and supported housing generally involve a contribution towards the cost; access is guaranteed in cases of severe dependency. Supported residential care is aimed in particular at people with severe or very severe dependency. The respite care service (Servei de respir) temporarily relieves caregiving families. In cases of child-welfare concerns, the primary social services are responsible first. In cases of serious risk or lack of care, SEAIA, the Child and Adolescent Care Team (SEAIA), provides a public and free intervention, usually after referral. In cases of acute abuse or physical violence, the police can be contacted on 110 or 872 000. Unemployment leads to the Employment Service; loneliness or loss of independence may trigger support from Radars, SAD, day services or residential services. After a death, the Civil Registry issues a death certificate free of charge throughout the year; processing may take up to 60 working days. CASS survivor’s and orphan’s pensions depend on the individual case.
Life stages in Andorra
Life in Andorra is shaped by age- and event-related transitions for which education, work, social support, care and pensions have different areas of responsibility. Children attend compulsory school from the ages of 6 to 16; full legal capacity begins at 18. Depending on the situation, government services, the seven parish administrations, schools, social security and the police provide support with care, becoming independent, caregiving, crises and later life. Access, deadlines and costs depend on the service, residence, residence status and individual needs.
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