European Health Insurance Card in Andorra
As Andorra is located between France and Spain, there is a tendency to think that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) also covers Andorra. However, EHIC does not work in Andorra, thus be well informed before traveling there. If you need health assistance, you may get a good scare when it comes to payment. Having private health coverage during a trip to Andorra is a must.
Although Andorra has close relations with Spain and France, you can travel to a Principality with an ID card. The principality is not part of the European Union, therefore, the European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Andorra. We explain why and what health coverage you are entitled to, thus you can travel safely to Andorra.
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Andorra is not a member of the European Union
Starting from this premise, Andorra is not a member of the European Union nor the Schengen Treaty of free movement. Therefore, some things are not entirely clear, or perhaps we assume that Andorra healthcare works the same in all countries or territories of Europe, and this is not the case.
Countries where the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid
Here is the list of European countries where the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Remember that the European Health Insurance Card includes the countries that are part of the European Community, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland. Andorra is not part of any of them.
Agreement between Spain and Andorra
The Social Security Agreement between Spain and Andorra was signed on November 9, 2001, and is in force since January 1, 2003. If you are a Spanish citizen, before traveling to Andorra apply at a Social Security office in Spain for the E/AND-11 form, also known as the special travel document for Andorra. This document is used for the assistance of insured workers or pensioners, as well as the family members of both, who are traveling temporarily to Andorra and who require immediate health care.
During the trip, you must carry this form with you and present it together with your ID card if you need a doctor.
If it is an emergency, the affected person will have to pay between 10% and 25% of the medical assistance needed. Similarly, if it is not an emergency, the full cost of the doctor must be paid. Especially if we take into account that many people travel to Andorra to practice sports such as skiing.
Agreement between France and Andorra
If you are insured under a French social security scheme and are going to Andorra for a temporary stay, the below provisions apply regardless of your nationality.
Before your departure, ask your insurance fund for form SE 130-04 (Certificate of entitlement to sickness and maternity insurance benefits in kind during a stay in the territory of the other contracting State), which you will give to the Andorran fund if necessary. In this case, if you or a member of your family needs to receive treatment, the Andorran social security fund will cover the costs.
Procedures in case of emergency
When travelers have to go to an emergency room in Andorra hospital, will have to pay the full amount after receiving the assistance and then go to an office of the Andorran Social Security Fund (Caixa Andorrana Seguretat Social – CASS) to request the reimbursement according to the type of assistance that corresponds.
The remaining percentage is not refundable. At that moment you will be asked for the document of the National Institute of Social Security (form E/AND-11) where the period covered by the health care is indicated.
Travel insurance for Andorra
The most advisable thing is buying travel insurance to cover any medical expenses you may need in Andorra. We recommend IATI or DKV, as their customer service is very good, the value for money is acceptable, most importantly, they take care of the expenses from the very first moment.
If you are traveling in Andorra, you have contracted an IATI / DKV insurance and at any time you need medical assistance, what you have to do is call the phone number provided by the insurer to explain what is happening, tell them your policy number and they will take care of everything.
Of course, if you are going to travel to Andorra to practice an adventure sport such as skiing, keep in mind that travel insurance does not cover this type of activity. In this case, the ski resorts usually offer you accident insurance that would cover you for any damages you may suffer while practicing the sport, therefore, it is also highly recommended that you take out this type of ski insurance.