Andorra (AD)
Andorra is a tiny parliamentary co-principality nestled in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, governed jointly by the French President and the Bishop of Urgell.
Family Rights & Benefits
Maternity, parental leave and child benefits in Andorra.
Andorra provides maternity and parental protections through CASS (Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social). Maternity leave is 16 weeks at 100% salary, paternity leave is 4 weeks (increased in 2024), and family benefits are available to all CASS-registered workers. Andorra's system is less generous than France or Germany in benefit duration but competitive in salary replacement rates. Family benefits are tied to CASS contributions — non-contributing passive residents access a different (more limited) set of supports. Planning around the CASS contribution thresholds and timing of maternity leave can optimise the benefit received.
Permís de Maternitat / Prestació de Maternitat CASS
Before birth: 2 weeks before the estimated due date (optional pre-birth leave period — can be moved to post-birth with medical agreement). Job protection begins from the moment pregnancy is notified to the employer.
After birth: 14 weeks after birth (total 16 weeks maternity leave). Extended to 18 weeks for multiple births (twins, triplets). CASS pays 100% of the regulatory salary (salari regulador) during the entire period. The employer cannot terminate the contract from the notification of pregnancy until 16 weeks after birth.
Job protection: Dismissal ban (prohibició d'acomiadament) applies from notification of pregnancy to the employer until 16 weeks after birth. Any dismissal during this protected period is automatically null and void (nul·litat automàtica). Employee must notify employer and CASS of pregnancy as soon as possible — CASS notification unlocks the benefit.
Permís de Paternitat / Permís Parental CASS
Max duration: Paternity leave: 4 weeks (28 calendar days) at 100% salary — increased from 2 weeks in 2024. Paid directly by CASS. Must be taken within the first 12 weeks of the child's birth. Additional unpaid parental leave: either parent may request a further period of unpaid parental leave (excedència per cura de fill) of up to 12 months — job must be held open. Employer cannot refuse unpaid parental leave for a child under 3 years.
Split rules / Elterngeld: Both parents can take leave simultaneously or consecutively. The 4-week paternity leave cannot be split — it must be taken as a continuous block or in two blocks (to be agreed with the employer). Maternity and paternity leave can overlap in the first 4 weeks post-birth if both parents are working and CASS-registered. Part-time parental leave (reducció de jornada per cura de fill) is available — salary reduced proportionally, CASS contribution maintained. For self-employed (autònoms): CASS pays the equivalent prestació de maternitat/paternitat provided contributions are current.
Benefits
Prestació de Maternitat (Maternity Benefit)
100% of salari regulador (regulatory salary — average of last 6 months' CASS contributions)
Duration: 16 weeks (18 weeks for multiple births)
Eligibility: All CASS-registered workers — employed or self-employed (autònom). Minimum contribution period: 9 months of CASS contributions in the 12 months preceding the birth. Passive residents: not eligible (no CASS active contributions).
How to apply: Submit application to CASS (cass.ad) within 30 days of birth. Bring: birth certificate, CASS affiliation card, employer certificate (or autònom registration), identity documents. Processing: 2–4 weeks. Bank transfer directly to the beneficiary.
The salari regulador is the average gross salary on which CASS contributions were paid in the 6 months before leave begins. Higher earners may find the calculation favourable compared to countries with salary caps on benefits.
Prestació de Paternitat (Paternity Benefit)
100% of salari regulador
Duration: 4 weeks (28 calendar days) — increased from 2 weeks in 2024
Eligibility: CASS-registered fathers or second parent (same-sex couples recognised). Minimum 9 months CASS contribution. Must be taken within 12 weeks of birth.
How to apply: Apply at CASS office or via cass.ad portal. Bring birth certificate, CASS card, employer authorisation letter, identity document.
Andorra's paternity leave is still shorter than France (28 days mandatory + 7 days ECAP) and Spain (16 weeks) but the 100% replacement rate with no salary cap is advantageous for higher earners.
Prestació per Fill a Càrrec (Child Benefit)
€100–200/month depending on the number of children and family income
Duration: Until child turns 16 (or 21 if in full-time education)
Eligibility: CASS-registered families with children dependent in Andorra. Income test applies — benefit reduced above certain income thresholds. Both parents must be legally resident in Andorra.
How to apply: Apply at CASS. Bring: birth certificate(s), residence permits (both parents), proof of income, school enrollment certificate (for children over 16).
Benefit amount is modest compared to France (Allocations Familiales) or Nordic child benefit systems. Many cross-border workers may retain entitlement to child benefits in their country of former residence — check bilateral social security treaties.
Subsidi per Adopció (Adoption Benefit)
100% of salari regulador — same rates as maternity benefit
Duration: 16 weeks for the primary adopting parent; 4 weeks for the second parent
Eligibility: CASS-registered workers who legally adopt a child under 6 years of age. Requirements mirror maternity/paternity benefit eligibility.
How to apply: Apply at CASS with adoption documentation from the Andorran family courts or recognised foreign adoption authority.
Andorra recognises adoptions completed abroad if properly apostilled. International adoptions must be registered at the Registre Civil d'Andorra before the CASS benefit can be claimed.
Reducció de Jornada per Cura de Fill (Part-time Parental Leave)
Salary reduced proportionally to hours reduction; CASS contribution maintained on full-time basis
Duration: Until child turns 12 years
Eligibility: All CASS-registered employed workers (not autònoms). Either parent can request reduced hours for childcare. Employer cannot refuse without justified cause.
How to apply: Written request to employer with 15 days notice. No CASS application needed — CASS contributions continue on normal basis.
Useful for parents of young children returning to work. Andorran labour law requires the employer to accommodate the reduced hours request unless the business can demonstrate serious operational grounds for refusal.
Prestació de Risc durant l'Embaràs (Pregnancy Risk Benefit)
100% of salari regulador
Duration: Duration of the medically certified risk period until maternity leave begins
Eligibility: Pregnant workers who cannot be assigned to safe workplace duties — requires occupational medicine certificate.
How to apply: Medical certificate from occupational physician → employer notifies CASS → benefit paid by CASS from day 1 of risk leave.
Particularly relevant for workers in physically demanding roles or those exposed to chemicals, radiation, or other pregnancy-incompatible workplace conditions. CASS funds the benefit entirely — no cost to the employer.
Sick child leave
CASS provides up to 5 days per year of paid sick child leave per CASS-registered employee for care of a sick child under 12 years. These days are paid at 100% salary by CASS. Requires a doctor's certificate from the child's paediatrician. Days are non-cumulative (use them or lose them in the calendar year). For extended illness, the standard incapacitat temporal (sick leave) provisions can apply if the employee themselves is unable to work due to caring responsibilities.
Birth registration
Register the birth at the Registre Civil d'Andorra (Tribunals Building, Andorra la Vella) within 8 calendar days of birth. Both parents should attend if possible. Documents required: hospital birth documentation (full birth report from HNSM or clinic), both parents' passports/ID documents, marriage certificate if married (apostilled and translated into Catalan or Spanish if issued abroad), parental acknowledgement forms if unmarried parents. The Andorran birth certificate (certificat de naixement) is required before CASS benefits can be claimed, passport applications submitted, and school enrollment processed. CASS must also be notified of the new dependent for child benefit purposes.
Childcare rights
There is no statutory right to a guaranteed childcare place in Andorra. Childcare places in llars d'infants (0–3 years) are allocated by the parish Comú and private operators. Demand significantly exceeds supply in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany. Register with the Ministeri d'Educació and your parish Comú immediately upon confirming pregnancy — waiting lists of 6–18 months are common. The government provides partial subsidies for CASS-registered families at income-tested rates. Escola Bressol (parish-run childcare) is subsidised and lower-cost than private llars but often has longer waiting lists.
Family Rights
Unlock the complete Family Rights guide for Andorra — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere