Andorra

'The tiny principality of Andorra is a land of narrow    valleys and mountainous landscapes and somewhat of a duty free haven’

Buying & Selling:  All transfer of property titles take place in front of the Notary Public of which there are four in Andorra. The Notaries, who are qualified lawyers, are public officials acting impartially in dealing with the many types of documents which are signed before them and which in most cases they draw up themselves.

Availability: As only 8% of the total area of Andorra is available and suitable for development there are restrictions on the amount of property a foreigner can own at one time in his own name, until such time as they complete 20 uninterrupted years as a resident. At present this is one unit of property: one apartment, or one plot of building land for a private house (the size of the plot not to exceed 1,000 m2), or one house already constructed on the plot of up to 1,000 m2. For the purpose of property purchase and registration a husband and wife count as a joint entity: children over the age of 18 years however may have property registered in their name. An Andorran entity, either a company or an Andorran citizen, is not restricted in any way as to the amount of property they can own. All property in Andorra starts out having an ESCRIPTURA PUBLICA (Title Deed) since all property originally started out with an Andorran owner (or a foreigner who has lived in Andorra for a minimum of 20 years).

Purchase Procedure: While a property may be reserved verbally, the first commitment is made when the buyer places a 10% deposit with the selling agents: this is non-returnable if the buyer subsequently withdraws from the transaction on unreasonable grounds. At that time a purchase agreement can be signed between buyer and seller. More normally a receipt for the deposit will be given and after a delay of about six weeks a purchase contract will be signed in front of a notary public. The notary is a Government appointed official who acts impartially to safeguard the interests of both parties. At the time of signing, payment of the balance of the purchase price is made and the title deed or escriptura is issued. Prior to this, Government approval to buy will have been sought by the selling agents who will have presented a sol.licitud (request for the approval of purchase) for the buyer. Completion normally takes some four weeks to arrange.   As a foreigner you may only own one property in Andora, but Andorian Registered Companies are not restricted.

The simplest form of property transfer is therefore the NOTARISED transfer of the Title Deed from one Andorran to another. Simple that is, because an Andorran is not subject to any restrictions on property ownership and an Andorran company has the same status. However, there may come a time when the Andorran wishes to sell his property to a foreigner. The foreigner must petition the government by means of a Sol.licitud. This document, in Catalan, requests permission for you to buy (or sell) the property in question. A sol.licitud is not required from the Andorran vendor (but would be required from a foreign vendor). The government registers the sol.licitud and checks that the foreigner    1/does not own more than one property and   2/that the property in question conforms with the legislation in force at that time.   Once approved, the sol.licitud opens the way for the Notary Public to draw up the Escriptura Publica (Title Deed)

Currency:  €uro

Getting To or Through:  Andorra does not have an international airport. Closest international airports: Barcelona (BCN) in Spain, 225km (140 miles) from Andorra and Toulouse (TLS) , in France, 180km (112 miles) from Andorra. By Rail : Routes from Perpignan, Villefranche, Toulouse and Barcelona go to La Tour de Carol, 20km (12 miles) from Andorra. Mountainous roads exist over the Envalira pass from Perpignan, Tarbes and Toulouse (France); and southwards to Barcelona and Lérida (Spain). Buses run regularly from Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia and Madrid (Spain); and Toulouse (France). A good road runs from the Spanish to the French frontiers through Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp and Canillo (about 40km between frontiers). There is a road to El Serrat, and a secondary road from Ordino to Canillo, which is usually closed in winter. Bus: There are buses and minibuses linking Andorra's villages on the 186km (115 miles) of road. Traffic drives on the right.

Culture:  Andorran cuisine is mainly Catalan, with strong French and Italian influences. Sauces are typically served with meat and fish. Pasta is also common. Local dishes include cunillo (rabbit cooked in tomato sauce), xai (roast lamb), trinxat (bacon, potatoes and cabbage) and escudella (a stew of chicken, sausage and meatballs). Local lore has it that everyone in Andorra speaks Catalan, Spanish and French, but there are plenty of people who can't understand more than a few words of French. Hardly anyone speaks English.

Geography:  Almost hidden on the border between France and Spain in the eastern Pyrenees. It is roughly halfway between Barcelona and Toulouse. The tiny principality of Andorra is a land of narrow valleys and mountainous landscapes. Befitting its location in the eastern Pyrenees mountain range, Andorra consists predominantly of rugged mountains with the highest being the Coma Pedrosa at 2946 meters. These are dissected by three narrow valleys in a Y shape that combine into one as the main stream, the Valira river, leaves the country for Spain at Andorra's lowest point of 870 m. Much of the landscape is forested, but there are several areas of rich pastureland in the valleys. There are four rivers and several mountain lakes. Ski resorts and the spa town of Les Escaldes are Andorra's main attractions

Seasonal Climate:  Temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. Rain falls throughout the year.

Population:  72,000 (Est 2007)

Capital City:  Andorra la Vella

Language:  Catalan, also Spanish and French due to immigration

Religion:  Mainly Roman Catholic

General: Andorra is a duty free zone, but travellers should check French/Spanish regulations as both these countries maintain customs control at the borders.  Normal social courtesies should be extended when visiting someone's home. Handshaking is the accepted form of greeting. Dress is informal and smoking is very common; customs are similar to those of Spain. Andorra became a popular tourist and winter sports destination and a wealthy international commercial centre because of its banking facilities, low taxes, and lack of customs duties.