Andorra Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Andorra — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Andorra (population ~80,000, area 468 km²) has a single hospital: Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell (HNSM) in Escaldes-Engordany — modern, well-equipped for its size, handling emergencies, surgery, maternity, and general specialist care. For complex tertiary care (neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, organ transplants), patients transfer to Barcelona (Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Hospital Clínic — 2.5 hours) or Toulouse (CHU de Toulouse — 3 hours). Andorra's economy is heavily tourism-dependent (skiing, hiking, duty-free shopping) — the healthcare system handles significant seasonal tourist influx. The CASS reimburses 75% of medical costs for residents. Andorra is NOT in the EU, EEA, or Schengen — EHIC is not valid, though bilateral agreements with France and Spain cover emergency situations for their citizens. Ski injuries are the main tourist health issue — mountain rescue (Servei de Rescat de Muntanya) is well-organised.
System type: Social insurance (CASS — Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social). Mandatory for residents. Partial reimbursement model.
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 116 (ambulance) or 112 (general emergency) or 118 (fire — Bombers d'Andorra) or 110 (police)
Typical response time: 5-15 minutes anywhere in the country. Country is small (valleys along one main road). Mountain rescue response depends on conditions and location.
Costs: HNSM ER: €40-80 (CASS reimburses 75% for residents). Uninsured visitors: €100-400+. Mountain rescue: free (state-funded Servei de Rescat de Muntanya). Helicopter evacuation to Spain/France: €5,000-15,000+ without insurance.
Call 116 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. HNSM is the only hospital — Carrer dels Escalls. Mountain rescue: 112. For complex cases: transfer to Barcelona or Toulouse. Staff speak Catalan, Spanish, French, and some English.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
Free choice of doctor. Walk-in and appointment-based. Pay upfront (CASS reimburses 75% for residents). Visitors pay full price and claim from travel insurance. Multiple GP and specialist practices throughout the valleys.
Typical wait: GP: same-day to 1 day. Specialist at HNSM: 1-2 weeks. Private specialist: 1-5 days.
Typical cost: GP: €30-60. Specialist: €50-100. Dental: €30-70. Ski injury assessment: €50-100. All paid upfront — CASS reimburses 75% for insured residents.
Good throughout the valleys (Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp, Canillo, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julià). Ski resort medical centres operate during winter season.
Vaccines for travel
Recommended: Routine vaccines, COVID-19
No special requirements. Standard European precautions. Altitude and mountain safety are the main health concerns.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: no
Public coverage for visitors: no
Andorra is NOT in the EU, EEA, or Schengen. No border controls but technically a separate jurisdiction. EHIC NOT valid. Must enter via France or Spain. No airport — nearest airports: Toulouse (3h) or Barcelona (2.5h).
Documents to prepare:
- Passport/ID
- Travel insurance (EHIC NOT valid — Andorra is not in EU/EEA)
- Prescriptions
- Ski insurance if skiing (separate from standard travel insurance)
- French or Spanish citizens: bilateral agreement documents for emergency care
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: €30-60 per consultation
Emergency care without insurance: €100-400+ per ER visit
Medication: Medications available at pharmacies (farmàcia). Prices competitive due to Andorra's low-tax regime. Good stock for a small country.
Pharmacies & medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-1pm, 3:30pm-8pm. Farmàcia de guàrdia (duty pharmacy) rotation for after-hours — posted on all pharmacy doors and in newspapers.
Over the counter: Good range. Standard European OTC medications available. Prices often lower than France/Spain due to tax advantages.
Controlled substances: Carry prescriptions and doctor's letters. Regulations broadly follow French/Spanish standards.
Things that catch visitors out in Andorra
- EHIC does NOT work in Andorra — it's not in the EU or EEA. Travel insurance essential.
- Only one hospital (HNSM) — complex cases go to Barcelona or Toulouse
- Mountain rescue is free and professional — but helicopter evacuation abroad is very expensive
- Ski injuries are the #1 tourist health issue — ski insurance is essential
- Healthcare is moderately priced and good quality for a microstate
- Medication prices are competitive due to Andorra's low-tax regime
- Staff speak Catalan, Spanish, and French — one of these languages is very helpful
Practical tips for travellers
- Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell is your only hospital option — Escaldes-Engordany
- Buy travel insurance AND ski insurance before visiting — EHIC is NOT valid
- Mountain rescue: call 112 — response is good but conditions can delay rescue
- For complex medical needs: Barcelona (2.5h) or Toulouse (3h) are the referral centres
- Pharmacies are well-stocked and competitively priced
- Spanish or French will get you through any medical situation — English is a bonus, not guaranteed
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